Millie Bright Withdraws From England Squad Due To Mental And Physical Burnout

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Millie Bright, a defender for England, has decided to step back from the national team due to reaching her mental and physical limits. The Football Association (FA) announced on Monday that Bright would be taking an extended break, with Lotte Wubben-Moy stepping in as her replacement. Bright's decision comes after a demanding season with Chelsea.

Bright participated in 21 out of Chelsea's 22 Women’s Super League matches during the 2024-25 season. Only Hannah Hampton played more minutes than her in the squad. Across all competitions, she made 36 appearances, contributing significantly to Chelsea's domestic treble victory this season.

Sarina Wiegman's team is set to face Portugal and Spain in the Women’s Nations League soon. They also have a friendly match against Jamaica scheduled for late June. The defence of their Euros title will commence on July 5 against France. These fixtures come amid some changes in the squad.

Bright discussed her withdrawal on her podcast 'Daly Brightness', co-hosted with former England teammate Rachel Daly. She expressed that she had reached her limits both mentally and physically, which led to her decision not to attend the camp.

"That is a really hard decision," Bright stated, acknowledging the difficulty of stepping back. She emphasised the importance of valuing one's mental health and body, recognising when it's necessary to take time for oneself.

The Lionesses are currently second in Group A3, trailing Spain by two points after four games. England will play Portugal on May 30 and Spain on June 3 without Bright and Mary Earps, who recently retired unexpectedly.