Man City boss Gareth Taylor responds to claims of 'relationship breakdown' with Lionesses star Chloe Kelly and provides update on England winger's expiring contract

Kelly has found game time tougher to come by than usual in recent months. She lost her place in the Man City XI to Australia star Mary Fowler towards the end of last season and has only started twice this term, with summer signing Aoba Fujino increasing the competition on her side of attack. When City beat Liverpool on Sunday, Kelly was an unused substitute.

A story published by the Daily Mail on Monday added to the situation, as it was claimed there had been a 'breakdown' in the relationship between Taylor and Kelly. The winger is in the final year of her contract at the club and the report says that renewal talks are at an 'impasse', with a new deal 'difficult' to strike in 'the current situation'.

Asked about the story in his press conference on Tuesday, Taylor said: "There's no news on the contract front. I felt like the story was a bit of a non-event if I'm honest, particularly after such a solid performance from us at the weekend. It just beggars belief really that people want to focus on that. But Chloe's been great. She's really working hard, she's really engaged, she's really aligned with what we're doing and she understands, like the rest of the players at the top end of the pitch, that things are slightly different from maybe the last season or two. We have been able to strengthen in those areas. She's contributed this season, for sure.

"You've got to be ready to play. If you're needed, of course, go and do your bit. But if you're not, you need to be mentally prepared for the next opportunity. Chloe's doing that really well, I have to say. She's been great in that sense. She's really aligned. She's with the team, for sure. She's really, really trying to work so hard for the team and sometimes you get the rewards off the back of that and sometimes you don't, but she's doing everything that we expect of her. She's contributed with goals and assists already this season, in the limited time that she's had, and that's exactly what we're looking for."

It's a big season for Kelly, and not just because she is in the final year of her contract. Next summer, England will go to Switzerland to defend their European Championship title and the Man City star, who scored the goal that won the tournament in 2022, will be eager to be on the plane. However, she will need more game time to be sure of her place in Sarina Wiegman's squad.

Opportunities are likely to come for Kelly though, as City have a lot of games on their schedule this season after qualifying for the Women's Champions League group stage. Their next fixture comes in that competition, as they face Austrian side St. Polten on Wednesday, having started the competition proper with a statement win over European champions Barcelona last week.