Chloe Kelly is unbreakable.

The Arsenal and England baller experienced one of the darkest moments in her career earlier this year when she was left sidelined by Manchester City. Without a club to play for, and just months before the Euros, she considered taking a break from football. Even contemplating a permanent one.

“There was so much noise — so many opinions, and no one really knew the truth, and they still don’t, not really” she explains when asked about that period. “When I posted ‘that’ statement, I felt relieved. It was the first time in a long time I felt in control again.”

If that time showed the world anything, it’s that Chole Kelly is built different. And to say she’s reclaimed her joy since would be an understatement. She’s back playing the type of football we all expect from her: expressive and audacious with a healthy amount of shithousery. But for the 27-year-old West Londoner, there’s more to her game than the sport itself.

Her status as a cultural icon has been well and truly cemented. Appearing in Nike x Corteiz campaigns alongside Edgar Davids? Check. Linking up with fellow West London native and childhood friend Ellis Gilbert for Talk Nice Studios? Check. Dropping the cleanest Touchline Drip fits as a Baller League manager? Check. CK isn’t a purveyor of the culture, she embodies it. And she’s about to represent once again on the biggest stage this summer.

VERSUS sat down with Chloe Kelly to talk about why her move to Arsenal was the best decision she could make, relishing the opportunity to support young Lionesses like Michelle Agyemang at the Euros, her unparalleled love for West, and most importantly, remaining true to herself in times of adversity.

VERSUS: I’ve noticed on your IG you’re always showing love to West London creatives — AJ Tracey, Ellis Gilbert from TNS. Why does that matter to you?

Chloe Kelly: West supports West. Simple. I grew up with Ellis — seeing him do his thing now? I love that. We should celebrate one another more. Not just in football, but in life generally. That’s just what West London does best: it champions its own. 

VERSUS: Off the pitch, you’re clearly into developing your own sense of style. What does fashion mean to you?

Chloe Kelly: It’s a form of expression. It’s also my roots. I do love the glam stuff, sure, but I live for streetwear too. Brands like Clints, TNS, Corteiz — I’ve watched them build from the ground up. So when I wear those pieces, it’s not just fashion. It’s repping my people. It’s culture.

VERSUS: Is that how you see your place now — part of the culture, not just endorsed by it?

Chloe Kelly: For sure. As a woman from London in football — especially now, when the game’s so visible — people look up to you. Young girls see you. Not just in sport, but in fashion, in life. But I’m not performing. I just like what I like. I stay true to that. That’s how I’ve always wanted to live my life. 

VERSUS: Earlier this year you were announced as a Baller League manager. I know you’ve been on holiday this week but flew back specifically for the final — Scott told me something mad, like: you landed at 5pm, changed at a hotel then went straight to the O2 for 7pm. That’s commitment. Also, your announcement rollout with Wrighty was so good! How did the opportunity come about?

Chloe Kelly: [laughs] It was sick. As soon as I saw the launch of Baller League UK, I messaged my agency, “Get me involved.” It honestly felt like home — cage football, small-sided, gritty. Then Felix (Starck) messaged me on Instagram and we started talking. The shoot with Wrighty at the Top Boy cafe? Next level. When Scott told me that’s where it was taking place, I couldn’t believe it. It’s grown so much, even since then. 

VERSUS: Do you think the women’s game needs something disruptive like that? 

Chloe Kelly: 100%. My focus will always be football, but off the pitch? That’s where you show personality. That’s where you connect. When I look back on my career, it won’t just be trophies. It’ll be those culture-defining moments, too. That’s life. That is my life. I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

VERSUS: You’re becoming known for your celebrations — whipping your shirt off at the Euros, shushing crowds in derbies…

Chloe Kelly: [laughs] The shushing one — I didn’t even score! I was celebrating someone else’s goal! But yeah, I love that type of energy. A bit of shithousery, a bit of fun. We need more of that in the women’s game. I respect my opponents, but I play with fire, and that’s how I approach everything in my life. If I beat Scott at FIFA or two-touch, believe me, I’m celebrating the same way. That’s what happens when you grow up in a house full of boys. 

VERSUS: The Women’s Euros are around the corner. What’s your mindset heading into that tournament?

Chloe Kelly: Hungry. Focused. We know what we’re capable of. I know what I bring — energy, fearlessness. I’m proud of what I’ve come through, but I’m not done yet. My agent always says, “nothing worth fighting for comes easy” and I’m certainly not about taking the easy road. There’s always pressure on a team like England but I know we’ve got a lot more to give. 

VERSUS: What are you carrying into the tournament — as a player, and as a person?

Chloe Kelly: It’ll be different from 2022. New squad, younger energy, a lot of players at their first major tournament. I’m excited for that — to help guide them, pass on what I’ve learned. Seeing someone like Michelle Agyemang experience her first major tournament, watching her grow. To be a part of something like that is really special. My first major tournament was the last Euros, I’ve learned a lot since then and I’m keen to support others. But we’re all locked in. The mindset’s the same: compete, bring your best. And enjoy it.

VERSUS: You’ve already created a lot of history in your career. What does legacy look like to you now?‍

Chloe Kelly: Just being myself. Taking the moments when they come. Whether it’s a final, a shootout, whatever — I give 100%. I want to inspire girls and women — not just in football, but in life. Let them know it’s okay to be authentic to your true self.

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Chloe Kelly wears...

Look 1 - Burberry, Levi's, Annabel B Jewellery

Look 2 - SOKIPREYE, Prada, Timberland, Annabel B Jewellery

Look 3 - ACIDSIIIA, Nike, Corteiz, Annabel B Jewellery

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Photography: Holly McCandless-Desmond

1st Lighting Assistant: Ella Costache

2nd Lighting Assistant: Ore Omoboriowo

3rd Lighting Assistant: Francesca Albarosa

Digi: Blair Gauld

Intern: Fizzy Schweizer

Intern: Julia Heirman

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Art Direction: Morgan Allan

Editor-in-Chief: Amie Cripps

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Stylist: Trez Hillman

Movement Director: Liam John

Set Design: Annie Alvin

Hair Stylist: Paris Ceurvels Hair

MUA: Selina Bassi

Videographer: Tyler Larbi

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Studio: Studio 434

Photography & Creative Talent Agency: Dust Bunnies

Agent: Nicole Mac

VERSUS: Chloe, you’ve had a whirlwind few months — from being sidelined at Manchester City and nearly walking away from football in January to lifting the Champions League with Arsenal in May. What was going through your head at the start of the year?

Chloe Kelly: Honestly, I was done. Mentally, I wasn’t in a good place. I told the club I wanted to leave. It wasn’t easy — they made it difficult — so that post I put out was a last resort. I kept writing and deleting it, but in the end, I thought, “It can’t get much worse than this”. I needed to be honest with myself, and with everyone else.

VERSUS: When we saw that post in the VERSUS office we were shocked. Not because we didn’t “agree” with it, quite the opposite, we thought it was really brave! But because it told us just how bad the situation must’ve been for you at the time. Did you feel the weight of it before hitting publish?

Chloe Kelly: Way more pressure before than after. There was so much noise — so many opinions, and no one really knew the truth, and they still don’t, not really. When I posted it, I felt relieved. Like, “I’m owning my story now. No one else is telling it for me.” I cried. Scott (my husband) cried sitting next to me. It was emotional, but it was the first time in a long time I felt in control again.

VERSUS: Then boom — Arsenal. Champions League. That’s a massive turnaround.

Chloe Kelly: It all happened so quickly. One minute I was thinking of taking a break from football, potentially a permanent one, and the next I was moving back down to London. From the moment I arrived at the club though, I knew it was the right move for me. I got my smile back. I was learning again, loving the game again. Even if we didn’t win the Champions League, it still would’ve been the best decision I could have made. But that win? That just made it unforgettable.

VERSUS: Let’s talk about the final. You went in as underdogs. What was the mindset?

Chloe Kelly: We knew Barça were favourites, but we believed in ourselves. Those comeback wins — Real Madrid, Lyon — they made us resilient. The game plan was unreal. In training, it felt like we’d already played the first 10 minutes of the final. We knew what worked. We trusted it. We had every faith in Renée (Slegers).

VERSUS: And Stina’s goal. I was lucky enough to watch that game in Lisbon and as a Gooner…I cried as soon as the final whistle blew. 

Chloe Kelly: Unreal. Classic Stina. We knew when she came on what was going to happen, it’s just what she does. But even when Barça had the ball, we didn’t panic. We were comfortable being uncomfortable. Our defence that day was so confident, we could handle whatever they wanted to throw at us. That belief came from how hard we worked all week. That’s what made the difference. 

VERSUS: We can’t interview you and not talk about West London. Home. How much did growing up in West, and playing cage football, shape you?

Chloe Kelly: It meant everything and still does. The aggression, the flair, the no-fear attitude — that came from the cage. You can’t hide in there. I was playing with older boys constantly, getting slammed into walls, but I kept getting up. My brothers wouldn’t let me go crying to Mum — if I did, I wouldn’t be allowed back. It made me tough. It made me creative. I carry a lot of that energy with me today when I step onto the pitch. 

VERSUS: That mentality lives in your game, 100%  — and your style. You’ve recently appeared in campaigns for Corteiz and Talk Nice Studios. How intentional is that side of your image? 

Chloe Kelly: That’s just my world and so it naturally forms a core part of my identity. The Corteiz shoot was mad. I might have been the only pro women’s player but Freda (Ayisi) was unreal, her skills are unmatched. Clint was so gassed watching her, everyone was so hyped. Edgar Davids was there too, that was crazy. He’s obsessed with photography and at the time was documenting scars. When I told him about my ACL ones he immediately wanted to take a picture — so surreal. It didn’t feel like “just a shoot”, it felt like a real moment.