Chelsea Women’s latest news, Carly Telford returns, international check-in

The World Cup is days away, and before it kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, the international stars of Chelsea Women were out in full force while the club made numerous announcements.

Former goalkeeper Carly Telford back at Chelsea Football Club in administrative role

It has only been a little less than 18 months since the west London outfit sold goalkeeper Carly Telford to the National Women’s Soccer League’s San Diego Wave. Now, ahead of the 2023-2024 season, Telford returns to the club she dedicated nearly half of her playing career to. While her playing days came to an end in March when she announced her retirement, the former shot-stopper will serve as Chelsea Women’s new “Brand and Partnerships Player Manager”. Telford will be working closely with the club’s partners and the ones of the future to inform each and every one the value that the west London side brings to the table.

She made the announcement via her social media on Friday evening in the UK. Telford’s passion for the club is clear, having made over 75 appearances between the sticks before departing to give way for more playing time for Swedish international Zećira Mušović.

She signed with Matt Beard’s Chelsea Women back in 2011 from Leeds Carnegie, and departed the Blues in 2013 to join Notts County. The English international competed against the west Londoners in 2015 FA Women’s Cup Final. When the Lady Magpies dissolved in 2017, Telford began her second stint as a Blue.

One of her most important periods at the club came in the 2017 WSL Spring Series where she stop between the posts in seven out of the eight games, collecting five clean sheets in the process. She became a vital presence of positivity later in her CFCW career, providing stability as a backup keeper. After years of upholding the culture for the west London side on the pitch as it grew into the club it is today, Telford’s contributions will now continue off of it.