England Defender Millie Bright Pulls Out of Euros Due to Burnout
England women’s football team has suffered a significant blow ahead of the upcoming Euros, with defender Millie Bright announcing that she will not be participating in the tournament due to burnout. The 31-year-old Chelsea captain cited her inability to “give 100% mentally or physically” as the reason for her decision.
According to a report by the BBC, Bright made the announcement on her Instagram account, stating that it was “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make”. She expressed her pride in representing her country and her desire to be part of the team, but ultimately concluded that stepping back was the right thing for her health and future in the game.
Bright’s decision comes as no surprise, given her grueling schedule with Chelsea last season. The Blues won the domestic treble of Women’s Super League, FA Cup, and League Cup, with Bright making 36 appearances in all competitions. The BBC reports that Bright felt it was not “fair to take the place” of another player if they were ready to “give everything for the badge and country”.
The news will be a significant blow to England manager Sarina Wiegman, who will now have to find a replacement for Bright in the squad. The BBC notes that Bright was a regular in the 2022 Euros squad, when the Lionesses won the tournament for the first time with victory over Germany at Wembley. She was also captain when England were beaten by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final.
Bright’s decision to prioritize her health and well-being has been widely supported by her teammates and former players. Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly and Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly were among those to offer their support on social media, with the official Lionesses account posting a message saying “We’re all with you, Millie”. The BBC reports that former England captain Faye White believes that Bright’s decision is a brave one, saying that “Euros and World Cups don’t come around very often” and that it’s a “massive mark on every player’s radar”.
The BBC notes that Bright’s withdrawal from the Euros squad follows the retirements of goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby in the past week. The tournament will be hosted in Switzerland from 2-27 July, and England will be looking to defend their title. However, with Bright out of the picture, Wiegman will have to find a way to fill the gap left by the Chelsea defender.
In response to Bright’s decision, Wiegman said that she “has to take care of herself” and that the team will “stay in contact and I hope she feels better soon”. The BBC reports that Bright has been capped 88 times for England and has been an integral part of the team in recent years. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt, but it is clear that her health and well-being are the priority.
The news of Bright’s withdrawal from the Euros has sparked a wider conversation about the pressures faced by female footballers and the importance of prioritizing mental and physical health. As the women’s game continues to grow in popularity, it is clear that players like Bright are being pushed to their limits. However, with the support of their teammates, coaches, and fans, it is hoped that they can find a way to manage their workload and maintain their performance levels.
In conclusion, Millie Bright’s decision to withdraw from the Euros due to burnout is a significant blow to the England women’s football team. However, it is clear that her health and well-being are the priority, and the team will have to move on without her. As reported by the BBC, Bright’s decision has been widely supported by her teammates and former players, and it is hoped that she will be able to recover and return to the game in the near future.
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