Missing Euros ‘best decision I ever made’ – Bright

Millie Bright claims that it was “by far the best decision I have ever made” to leave England’s Euro 2025 squad.

After making 36 appearances for Chelsea, defender said she would be unable to “give 100% mental or physically” in the tournament and helped them win a domestic treble.

Bright, who has 88 England caps, regularly played for the Euro 2022 winning team and helped lead Sarina Wiegman’s side to the World Cup final a year later.

She revealed that while Chelsea was attempting to win numerous awards, Bright realized she needed a break and was unable to compete for the Lionesses’ title in Switzerland.

England’s remarkable successive Euros triumph was sealed by a penalty shootout victory over world champion Spain, but Bright didn’t feel guilty about making the “decision for me” decision.

She stated on the podcast of BBC Radio 5 Live’s Women’s Football Weekly that “you get into that mindset where nothing stands between what it takes to win.” You simply keep moving, like an engine.

When the season ended, it struck me and I was like, “I just need to take a minute otherwise I am on the verge of breaking.”

“I realized where I was mentally for the first time in a while, and I couldn’t even think about the Euros.” That was a strong sign that I needed to slow down a little and take a deep breath. For the first time, I chose to not please everyone.

Being a result of making the decision over the summer was by far the best decision I’ve ever made, and I’m actually really proud of it because it’s not easy.

Bright, the WSL champions Chelsea captain, has faced a lot of pressure both on and off the pitch, telling everyone to “look after everyone and lead by example.”

She stated, “I have to fix problems if they arise,” I have to look after my teammates and make sure they give their best.

Therefore, you do have to give to other people while serving as leader, but you also need to have some time to ensure that you are still doing what you need to do.

By the time it was over, I was unhappy and had nothing to give. I’m obnoxious, energetic, and spontaneous. I really felt lost in myself, and that was it.

As Chelsea aspired to success, Bright put her problems and emotions to rest.

However, she acknowledged that the season had been difficult. Everyone assumes life is all good and wonderful and full of sunshine and roses when you are winning and everything is going well, but it was incredibly difficult both on and off the pitch.

Sonia Bompastor faced perhaps the most difficult task in women’s football when she took Emma Hayes’ place at Chelsea last summer.

After winning the WSL, FA Cup, and League Cup this season, the Blues lost in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals to Barcelona, but you wouldn’t have predicted that.

Bright has developed a relationship with Bompastor similar to what she had with Hayes, who left the Blues to take over the women’s national team for the United States, despite only having been under her guidance for a year.

It’s truly special to have that relationship with two different managers, Bright said.

I could go to her for anything to still think you have that open-door policy, and she has been amazing all summer long.

I am aware that I could reach her if I needed her. You consider yourself very fortunate to have that.

Bright expressed his satisfaction with the return to Chelsea training as “really refreshing,” and he is now gearing up for the new campaign.

After a difficult day, she continued, “I was eager to get back on the pitch and finally be pain free with my knee, and it not blow up after every session.”

I don’t recall ever losing the buzz, but I was completely exhausted. But I’m now so eager to play the first game and get back out there.

Chelsea are the dominant force in women’s soccer, having won the last six of the WSL titles and won the last two championships.

Bright stated that her team will not rest on their laurels, especially considering that they have missed out on a coveted first Champions League game before their season opener against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday, September 5th.

You can’t stop moving, she continued. You must consider Chelsea’s model, our work, and every aspect of the game.

“We accomplished a lot, but we didn’t accomplish one goal that was important.” We desire to repeat it. We want everything, not just that. We want to improve even more.

Every other team has developed and is gaining more and more strength, and each team will want to succeed like us.

The exciting part of the journey is that we are moving up to a new level, the author says.

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