As Sarina Wiegman prepared to announce her first England squad since the Lionesses triumphed at the European Championship back in July, one of the biggest questions surrounded Millie Bright. After missing that triumph, citing physical and mental fatigue as she withdrew from selection, would the Chelsea captain be available again? Three months on, we have our answer.
Were it up to Wiegman, Bright would've been there in Switzerland, bringing to the table her exceptional leadership, which saw her captain the Lionesses to the 2023 Women's World Cup final, and her wonderful on-pitch quality, which marked her out as one of Chelsea's best performers during their treble-winning 2024-25 season. But after a demanding campaign, Bright's decision was understandable.
As is her latest one, announced the day before Wiegman's latest squad reveal. On Monday, Bright called time on her England career in a move that, while not hurting the Lionesses too much, is incredibly good news for Chelsea and their quest for that elusive Women's Champions League title.
Getty Images SportA Lionesses legend
Oftentimes, when a top-quality and experienced player, like Bright is, retires from international duty while clearly still having plenty to give, it's a real blow for their national team. Yet, while the 32-year-old's absence isn't necessarily positive for England, it's negative impact is also limited.
That's not meant as a slight on Bright. She's come up big for the Lionesses time after time in a nine-year international career, starring in their Euro 2022 triumph and captaining the side to the 2023 Women's World Cup final. It's not like her best days were behind her or anything, either. Indeed, it was only earlier this year that she put on an immense performance at Wembley to help England defeat Spain. She is a Lionesses legend and deserves to be remembered as such.
"I'm just really grateful that I've been just a little part of her journey and grateful that she's been part of my team, because she has had a massive influence on and off the pitch," Wiegman said on Tuesday. "She's still a very good player, so I want her in the squad, but I totally respect and understand the decision she makes for life."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLeaving England in a better place
However, unlike back in May when Mary Earps stunned the sport by announcing her England retirement, meaning Wiegman only had Hannah Hampton as a capped goalkeeper going into Euro 2025, Bright really does leave the squad in a good place as she ceases to be an option in that centre-back position. In fact, it's one of the deepest areas of the entire team.
Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood might be the pair that most expect to be first-choice for the foreseeable future, once the former is back from her injury of course, but there are a lot of good options behind them, too. While Jess Carter struggled playing out of position at Euro 2025, let's not forget how immense she was at the 2023 Women's World Cup; Esme Morgan has emerged as a favourite of Wiegman's in recent times, with the manager clearly having a lot of belief in the quality and potential of the 24-year-old; Lotte Wubben-Moy may only have 13 caps to her name but she has been included in the squad for all of England's last three major tournaments, with Bright's departure maybe opening a door for more opportunities; and then there is Maya Le Tissier, who has been one of the best centre-backs in the Women's Super League.
Those are just the options that were in the squad for Euro 2025. That's not even including Millie Turner, the Manchester United star who is currently sidelined with injury; Lucy Parker, who has had her fair share of call-ups without winning a cap yet; or young up-and-comers such as 19-year-old Katie Reid, who was called up by Wiegman for the first time on Tuesday after impressing as a regular starter for Arsenal this season. It's fair to say Bright hasn't left England in the lurch with her decision, especially two years out from a World Cup.
Getty Images SportThe toll of domestic & international success
It wasn't a huge shock to hear the news in general, either. Bright has been a key figure for club and country over the years and, in recent times, it has clearly taken its toll on her. In the 2022-23 season, following her key role in England's Euro 2022 triumph, Bright went straight into a demanding domestic campaign with Chelsea and was dealt a season-ending knee injury in March, one which left her facing a little bit of a race against time to be fit for the 2023 Women's World Cup. She won that, albeit while needing the first couple of games of the tournament to shake off some of the rust.
Going straight from that World Cup into yet another big club season was then tough again, with Bright aggravating that knee injury in November and missing five more months of action. When fit, this is a player who rarely misses a minute for Chelsea, for whom she wears the captain's armband. To balance that with a big role for England was clearly becoming a lot to ask, especially as the schedule only continues to become more and more taxing.
Getty Images SportChelsea set to benefit
This decision feels massive for Chelsea, then. Bright has been absolutely immense for the Blues of late, with her performances last season, in her first fully-fit campaign since before Euro 2022, outstanding. For them to now have her full focus, both mentally and physically, is such a boost.
"She's the main leader in the team," Sonia Bompastor, the Chelsea head coach, said of her captain earlier this season. "She sets up the level for the other team-mates."
Bompastor only further outlined Bright's importance on Tuesday, in light of her England retirement. "That's crucial, having a player like Millie who will be now 100 per cent focused on the club and all the trophies we are competing for. It's really, really important," she said. "She's a big support for me as a captain, as a leader in the team. She means everything to this club."