- Millie Bright was named in the FIFA FIFPro World11 2020
- The Chelsea and England stalwart speaks about her place among the elite
- Bright also reflects on World Cup regrets and Olympic dreams
Straightforward and self-assured, Millie Bright speaks the same way she plays. That unfussy honesty has also marked her steady, sustained rise to become one of the world’s leading players.
Bright’s status among the elite was further cemented last month when the England and Chelsea defender was named in the FIFA FIFPro Women's World11. That honour, bestowed following a poll among players across the world, reflects the esteem in which she is held by colleagues and rivals alike.
The 27-year-old could not, however, be described as having been destined for such heights. She wasn’t an avid follower of football as a child, didn’t play the game until the age of nine, and was still holding down two day jobs in her early 20s as she took her first, tentative steps in the senior game with Doncaster Belles.
Leaving home to join Chelsea in 2015 was the key landmark in her subsequent journey to the top, with Emma Hayes having spotted something special in a defender she has long said "can become the very best”. It says everything for Bright’s development, and the Blues coach's influence on her, that living up to that prediction has become a clear, unabashed target.
In this interview, the Lionesses centre-half speaks about those ambitions and her sources of inspiration, while reflecting on a bittersweet FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and looking ahead to this year’s Olympics.
FIFA.com: Firstly Millie, congratulations on being named in the FIFA FIFPro World11. How did that feel?
Millie Bright: It was a bit of a shock to be in the final 11 but I was super proud, and being nominated is something I definitely work towards. These days, whatever tournament or match I’m playing in, I really do try to make sure that I’m a standout. It’s something I’ve become more conscious of as I’ve developed as a player. I’ve made the FIFPro shortlist for the past few years now and it’s special to me because you know that these votes are coming from your fellow players. That kind of recognition, from people you’ve come up against, is as good as it gets.
Your standing in the game has been rising steadily over recent years. Is that something you’ve been conscious of, and anxious to maintain?
One hundred per cent. I compare myself to the best and over the past few years I’ve been looking at someone like Wendie Renard, asking myself what she does to make sure she’s always so successful – and always in that top 11. For me, it’s because she’s always so consistent in everything she does and not just content to stay at the top – she’s always looking to improve and make herself even better. She’s a tremendous leader and so often in big games she makes the difference, whether that’s with a big goal from a set piece or just by driving her team on to continuously win. That’s something I’ve tried to add to my game; just trying to stand out and be one of the players who really pushes the team on, both with Chelsea and England. I’ve tried to improve defensively and also add something to my game in the way I play going forward, both in terms of possession and in bringing more goals. And I do feel I’m getting better in that respect. Above all I want to win trophies, and Wendie Renard is always winning. That’s why she’s been a good example for me to look to.
For all Renard’s attributes and achievements, she missed out in The Best FIFA Women’s Player to another player you know very well. What can you tell us about Lucy Bronze?
Lucy earned that award because she’s someone who’s grafted every single day of her career. As she said herself in her speech, she also has a real competitive edge and will to win in everything she does. I think that determination to stand out and become the best has been an important element in her rising to the level she’s reached. If there’s anyone who provides an example of how to go about continually improving and achieving your goals, it’s Lucy Bronze. She’s definitely been an inspiration to me and I was absolutely delighted for her because she truly deserves it.
With two defenders in the final three, and one of those taking home the trophy, does it spark any dreams in you of winning that particular award one day?
It’s there in the back of my mind, but it’s about the process for me. I just want to keep improving every day and become the best player I can be. If eventually I’m ticking all boxes, there’s no reason why I can’t be up there challenging for it. Lucy winning this year shows that it’s possible for defenders. But I won’t get caught up focusing on it.
Finally on The Best, Emma Hayes just missed out on the coaching award. But how important has she been to you, and what can you say about her?
Em’s probably the reason I’ve pushed on so much over the past few years. She’s a tremendous coach and a great person. She knows how to get the best out of players. When you look at the journey we’ve been on at Chelsea over the past few years, and the successes we’ve had, Em’s driven all of that. She’s a born winner herself and she’s not afraid to make changes if they’re going to knock down barriers in our way. That determination she has to be the best has really rubbed off on me and pushed me on to believe in myself and never give in. She’s the best manager I’ve played under and I’m really excited to see where she can take this team.
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