Gareth Taylor Dismisses Rumours Of Rift With Chloe Kelly Ahead Of Champions League Match

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Gareth Taylor has dismissed any notion of a conflict with Chloe Kelly amid speculation about her potential departure. Recent reports hinted at a disagreement between them, which allegedly affected her playing time at Manchester City in the Women's Super League's early stages. Despite being pivotal last season with 21 appearances and creating 51 chances, Kelly has only played twice this season, starting just once.

Kelly, now in the final year of her contract, faces rumours about a strained relationship with Taylor over contract issues. However, Taylor has downplayed these claims. "There is no news on the contract. The story was a non-event, especially after such a solid performance," he stated during a press conference before their Champions League match against St. Polten.

Taylor praised Kelly's dedication and adaptability to the team's evolving dynamics. "Chloe has been great and is working hard," he said. He acknowledged that while things differ from last season due to team strengthening, Kelly remains committed and aligned with team goals. Her contributions in limited playtime have met expectations.

Manchester City kicked off their Champions League journey with an impressive 2-0 win against Barcelona at Joie Stadium last week. As they prepare to face St. Polten on Wednesday, they are considered favourites, having previously defeated the Austrian side twice in 2017-18 with 3-0 victories each time.

Taylor cautioned against underestimating St. Polten despite past victories and their perceived ease on paper. "People probably see it as a game that is won before it is played, but I don't at all," he remarked. He noted that St. Polten held their ground against Hammarby and could have drawn at 1-0.

The upcoming match presents an opportunity for City to build on their recent success against Barcelona and continue their strong performance in the Champions League campaign.