England Lionesses goalkeeper, Carly Telford has signed a new one year contract extension at Chelsea.
Telford has had two spells at Chelsea after first joining the club between 2011-13, before re-joining in 2017 from Notts County, making 75 appearances for the Blues in all competitions across both stints.
Speaking on how ‘extremely happy’ she is to extend her deal as she approaches her twilight years as a player, Telford said: “I think it’s important at my age to know that I’ve still got something to give to a club like Chelsea but also for the club to feel like they still value me.”
The 33 year-old Newcastle born keeper also described being part of a club of Chelsea’s stature with ‘quality’ players as an ‘amazing’ experience, whilst adding: “It’s an honour to come to work every day and long may it continue for the next year or so.”
Telford also has her sights set on winning further trophies in the coming year, although her main priority is to lift the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy, describing it as the one that ‘we are missing that we haven’t managed to get our hands on.’
Telford will also take up a part-time coaching role working with the Blues’ Under-16 and Under-18 goalkeepers, following discussions with manager Emma Hayes and General Manager – Paul Green, of which it was decided that Telford taking up a coaching role was ‘a perfect fit’ for the club.
Speaking on taking up her new role, Telford spoke of her love for helping other players improve, saying: “For me, I’ve always loved helping develop players around me, not just goalkeepers but outfield players as well.”
Coaching however often doesn’t come naturally for many players but Telford feels that it comes ‘quite natural’ to her hence why the club identified her potential for this role in helping their youngsters develop.
Unlike the men’s team which has often seen coaching instability with ten different Head Coaches in the last eight years, the Blues’ Women coaching team has been stable for almost a decade with Telford saying: “I’m really excited because the coaching set-up at Chelsea {Women} is amazing, not just at senior levels with the experiences that we have with winning . . . , but our youth set-up is fantastic as well”
Green meanwhile is ‘delighted’ to not only extend Telford’s deal but also help her start her journey into coaching at Chelsea from next season, saying: “She still has a lot to give on the pitch as a player, but alongside that, Emma and our staff are really looking forward to helping her coaching develop.”
On the advantage of Telford’s experience in the game benefitting youngsters in the academy, Green said: “Carly has great experience in the women’s game and will now be able to share those experiences as she looks to develop our young goalkeepers at the club.”
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