Steph Houghton exclusive: Chloe Kelly offers England something 'different' but needs minutes after Manchester City exit
Updated 21/02/2025 at 16:47 GMT
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Chloe Kelly needs game-time with Arsenal if she is to seal a spot in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for Euro 2025, Steph Houghton told TNT Sports. The former Manchester City star said Kelly offers England something "different" ahead of their Euro 2025 campaign, and hopes the 27-year-old is given the opportunity to showcase that after a tough start to the Women's Super League season at City.
Houghton backs 'different' Kelly to make most of England call-up ahead of Euro 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
Steph Houghton feels Chloe Kelly offers a "different" skill-set to England's other wingers, but says the now-Arsenal forward needs valuable game-time after falling out of favour at Manchester City.
Kelly secured a last-gasp deadline-day loan move to north London following a plea posted on social media, in which she said the situation at City was having "a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing".
Kelly has started just one Women's Super League match this season, and as a former team-mate, Houghton hopes to see the wide player return to regular action in England's top-flight in her new surroundings.
"Look, I think for me, Chloe is one of my friends, but the most important thing is as a footballer, you want to play games," Houghton told TNT Sports.
"At Man City, your opportunities weren't that great before Christmas, so I think with the big Euros ahead - l've been there myself - you try and do what you can.
"For me, Chloe just needs to go and play football and hopefully she can get the minutes at Arsenal."
England defend their title as Euro 2025 gets underway in Switzerland this summer, and with that, question marks hang over Kelly's participation in the squad, after being a mainstay during The Lionesses' triumph in 2022.
The City loanee was left out of Sarina Wiegman's initial squad for February's Women's Nations League matches, but later did receive a call-up after Beth Mead dropped out through injury.
Houghton feels the opportunity is now Kelly's to seize.
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"There's so many great players and, I think we know as an English fan, but also as a team-mate and an ex-team-mate that Chloe is different to a lot of the wingers that England have," Houghton said.
"But I think that's up to the manager, that's up to Sarina. The competition's high and you've got to be playing for your club, so there's a long way to go to the Euro.
"I know she's been called up, hopefully she can take that chance."Â
Spain, Portugal clashes are 'great tests'
England's European preparations ramp up with Nations League clashes against Portugal - on Thursday night - and Spain next Wednesday.
The matches are set to be good litmus tests for Wiegman's side against some of Europe's finest talent, having struggled to maintain their previous dominance since falling to World Cup final defeat against Spain in 2023 - with four defeats since.
Houghton said that the England squad will be "excited" at the opportunity to seal their spot in the squad ahead of the summer tournament.
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Lucy Bronze and Chloe Kelly of England look on during a training session on February 20, 2025 in Albufeira, Portugal
Image credit: Getty Images
"I'm excited," Houghton said. "As a player, when you've got three or four months to go before the Euro starts, this is where you get a bit excited and you're trying to nail your place, but only for the team it's about performance, and these are great tests against two really good teams."
England will face France, Netherlands and Wales in the group stage of Euro 2025.
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