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Ameé Ruszkai

Millie Bright the playmaker? Former team-mate reveals how Lionesses star 'dominated' previous position before centre-back switch at Chelsea made her 'one of the best in the world'

Millie Bright is a star for England and Chelsea at centre-back today but her former team-mate has revealed the previous position she once 'dominated'.

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Article continues below

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  • Bright key defender for England & Chelsea
  • Used to have different role
  • Ex-team-mate says she dominated in attack
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Bright has been a commanding presence in the heart of the Chelsea defence ever since she signed for the club back in 2014, developing into one of the greatest signings of the Emma Hayes era. That has translated onto the international stage, too, with her captaining the Lionesses to a Women's World Cup final after winning the European Championship with her country in 2022.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Yet, Bright has not always been a centre-back. It's been well-documented that she grew up playing as a striker, with it not unusual to see her thrown up front in the latter stages of games when Chelsea or England need a goal. However, one former team-mate has now delved into what it was like to play alongside the 31-year-old in a totally different role, too.

  • WHAT WAS SAID

    While on commentary duties for TNT Sports during Chelsea's comfortable win over Celtic, ex-Doncaster Rovers Belles player Carla Ward talked about what it was like to play alongside Bright when she was coming through at the Yorkshire club - as a midfielder.

    "She was a big strong No.10 that dominated in the middle of the park," the former Aston Villa boss explained. "She was a wonderful player. It was interesting when she went to Chelsea and played centre half. I messaged Paul Green [Chelsea Women general manager]. He was manager at Donny at the time and then went to Chelsea. I messaged him saying, 'Millie Bright, centre half?' - and he said, 'Best place for her'. And she's been wonderful! She's developed into one of the best in the world."

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    DID YOU KNOW?

    Since making the switch to centre-back, Bright has been named to the Women's Super League PFA Team of the Year on three occasions and twice to the FIFPRO World XI. She's certainly among the very best in the sport in the position.

  • WHAT NEXT FOR BRIGHT AND CHELSEA?

    Bright's contributions to the game against Celtic on Wednesday night helped Chelsea keep another clean sheet and maintain new head coach Sonia Bompastor's 100% start to life at the club, in a 3-0 win. On Sunday, the Blues will hope to keep that going in the WSL, as they welcome Manchester United to the capital.