'Blessing in disguise' - Lionesses star Lucy Bronze explains the positive of failing to qualify for the Olympics with Team GB even though she would have given 'anything' to be there

England are the nominated nation to try and qualify for the Olympic women's football tournament for Great Britain. To reach Paris 2024, the Lionesses needed to top their Nations League group and then either progress to the competition's final or, if hosts France did that, at least finish third. However, Bronze was part of an England side that finished second in their group by the slimmest of margins, by a goal differential of one.

Instead, Spain qualified for the Olympics as Nations League winners and Germany also represented Europe at the Games, after beating the Netherlands in the third-place play-off. It meant Bronze, almost certain to have made the Team GB squad had they qualified, had a few extra weeks off, having competed at major tournaments in each of the last three summers.

For that reason, Bronze told Sky Sports: "Not qualifying for Paris was a blessing in disguise. I would have given anything to have been at the Olympics and to try to win a gold medal but I think my mind and body were saying no. There are plenty of players who were at the Olympics who are still feeling it now."

Many of those who competed at the Games missed the start of their club's pre-season plans, granted time to rest and recover before joining up with the squads, meaning those players could head into the new season a little undercooked. It's a situation that further highlights the scheduling issues in the women's game, something that high-profile names such as Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman, England captain Leah Williamson and Netherlands star Vivianne Miedema have spoken out about.

"We can't keep going like this," Bronze added. "The level and intensity of the women's game has gone up. There are more games and the games taking place are tougher than before. Qualifying for a tournament is insane. We had to beat Sweden and France, we never had to do that before. It's crazy."

Bronze won't be in action again for her country until October, in an international window which will see the Lionesses face Germany and South Africa. Club matters are her priority for the time being, with her first season for Chelsea, who she joined this summer, to kick-off against Aston Villa on September 20.