In a significant development for the England women’s national team, Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly has been recalled to the Lionesses squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain. The call-up comes on the heels of Kelly’s January transfer from Manchester City to Arsenal, where she has quickly made an impact.
Kelly Earns England Recall After Arsenal Move
Chloe Kelly, 26, joined Arsenal Women on loan in the January transfer window after struggling for playing time at Manchester City Women this season. She made just one appearance for City in 2025 before reuniting with her former club, where she came through the youth ranks.
Kelly marked her second Arsenal debut in style, helping the Gunners to a resounding 5-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday. Her strong performance caught the eye of England manager Renée Slegers, who had initially omitted Kelly from the squad announced earlier in the week.
I’m delighted to be back with England and grateful for the opportunity. It’s been a difficult few months but I feel refreshed and excited to be at Arsenal. I’m determined to prove myself again at the international level.
Chloe Kelly on her England recall
Lionesses Dealing with Injuries
Kelly, along with Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Parker, was added to the England squad as replacements for the injured Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy. Mead, Kelly’s Arsenal teammate, has been dealing with a calf strain and was an unused substitute in the win over Spurs. Wubben-Moy, meanwhile, suffered a muscle injury during the week that required a scan.
The loss of Mead, in particular, is a blow for the Lionesses given her importance to the team. However, Kelly’s timely return to form could provide Slegers with an intriguing option in attack as England looks to make a strong start in their Nations League campaign.
Pivotal Year for Kelly and England
For Chloe Kelly, the move to Arsenal and subsequent England recall marks a major turning point after a challenging period. She burst onto the scene with her performances at Euro 2021, including scoring the title-clinching goal against Germany at Wembley, but has since struggled to recapture that form.
- Kelly scored England’s winning goal in 2021 Euros final
- Made just 1 appearance for Man City in 2025 before Arsenal move
- Aiming to reignite England career with strong Nations League showing
The upcoming Nations League games against Portugal and Spain represent a prime opportunity for Kelly to cement her place in Slegers’ plans ahead of a crucial period for the Lionesses. England will be aiming to follow up their Euros triumph by mounting a strong challenge at the 2025 World Cup, which kicks off in Australia and New Zealand in July.
With competition for places in the England attack as fierce as ever, Kelly will be determined to make the most of her chance back in the national team setup. If she can recapture her best form, the Arsenal forward could emerge as a key figure in the Lionesses’ quest for global glory.
