Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has explained why England star Chloe Kelly was benched for the third game in a row for Saturday's derby triumph.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Kelly unused sub in Man City's win over UnitedEngland star's third game in a row on benchCity boss Taylor explains why and sends messageWHAT HAPPENED?
Kelly wasn't in City's starting XI for the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham earlier this month and is yet to regain her place from Australia star Mary Fowler. She came on as a substitute in the win over Brighton last week and was unused during the victory over rivals Manchester United on Saturday.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Kelly has essentially been ever-present for City when she has been fit, forming an exceptional front three with fellow England winger Lauren Hemp and striker Khadija Shaw, who became the women's team's all-time top goal-scorer on Saturday. This is the first time she has really fallen out of favour since joining the club, with Fowler being preferred.
WHAT TAYLOR SAID
Asked about her absence, Taylor explained: "It's just basically we have good players. We put Mary [Fowler] into the FA Cup game, she scores. She scores against Brighton last week. Mary's a very good player. She started the first eight or nine games this season for us. Of course, the demands are really high of what we ask for, in kind of goals and assists from those players, without it being all about that. But Mary has taken her opportunity and now what Chloe has to do is work hard every day in training to be ready.
"I think that's the main thing, to be ready, and when she gets the opportunities, and today if we don't concede maybe she gets an opportunity, other times maybe not. But regardless, the levels have to be good and that's the same for all of the players and I think Jess [Park] is probably a case in point with that one, her attitude and her enthusiasm and her level of training performance was very good whether she played or not. I think that's a big plus for her."
DID YOU KNOW?
The situation also comes at a time when Kelly is about to enter the final year of her contract in Manchester. Reports have suggested talks for a new deal have been put on hold until the end of the season.