'Mentally and physically I'm at my limits' - Chelsea & England star Millie Bright explains 'really hard decision' to withdraw from Lionesses squad for 'extended period of recovery'

The 31-year-old Chelsea centre-back opted to prioritise her wellbeing after what has been an emotionally and physically taxing period. The Football Association (FA) announced her withdrawal earlier this week, stating she would be undergoing an "extended period of recovery", with Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy being named as her replacement.

Bright has been a fixture in England’s national setup since her debut in 2016, racking up 88 appearances over the years. A reliable presence at the back, she played every minute of England’s triumphant Euro 2022 campaign and captained the side during their journey to the 2023 World Cup final in Australia. Despite her leadership and invaluable experience, Bright admitted on Rachel Daly's podcast, Daly Brightness, that she is not in the right space to join the squad at this moment.

When Daly asked how she was feeling, Bright responded with brutal honesty: "I think mentally and physically I’m at my limits, which is why I’m not at camp. That is a really hard decision but I think you know better than anyone as well - sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself. You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you. You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.”

On Tuesday, England goalkeeper Mary Earps stunned the football world by announcing her international retirement - an unexpected move given the the Lionesses' looming European Championship title defence. The back-to-back blows of losing two key veterans leave head coach Sarina Wiegman with significant challenges before the tournament.

England’s group stage opener for Euro 2025 is set for July 5 against France. Before then, the Lionesses will face Portugal on Friday in the Nations League and then meet reigning world champions Spain on June 3.