England defender Millie Bright concerned ‘standards may slip’ due to a hectic schedule… after a 13-day break between the Women’s World Cup final and pre-season training

• England’s Millie Bright believes governing bodies need to assess schedules
• Bright suggested collective action from players may be needed to force change
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Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright admits she is concerned that a hectic fixture schedule could impact the quality of women’s football this season.

Bright captained the Lionesses to the World Cup final last month but only had 13 days off between the end of the tournament and the start of her pre-season preparations.

She believes that the issue of scheduling needs to be looked at for the good of the game.

‘I hope in the future that better scheduling is done so that everyone can keep performing at a high level for club and country and ultimately, we can get the best rest possible to allow us to push to higher levels,’ said the 30-year-old.

‘I’d really like people to speak to players so that we can actually say how hard it is for us. Ultimately, we want to give the fans [a show] and we want to play at the best level possible and for the longest amount of time. But I do worry that the standards may slip if we keep going the way we’re going and there’s bound to be more injuries along with that.’

Millie Bright has concerns the fixture schedule could impact the quality of women’s football

Bright only had a 13-day break between the Women’s World Cup final and pre-season training

The Chelsea defender will be in action as the Women’s Super League season begins on Sunday

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Bright’s England side fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Netherlands after Renate Jansen’s late goal secured the hosts’ first win in the women’s Nations League.

The Lionesses slipped to third in League A Group 1 and sit on three points having beaten Scotland last Friday in Sunderland.

While attention now turns to the Women’s Super League, which kicks off this weekend, for the Lionesses players, Bright believes the issue of player welfare isn’t going away and says it will require collective action from players in the women’s game to force change.

‘As players, it’s really hard at the moment because nothing’s changing and we just have to get on with it,’ said the defender. ‘We have to do the best we can, prepare in the best way, perform at the highest levels, get as much rest as possible where possible and just be smart in decision making.

‘I do hope it’s a subject that is talked about and it’s talked about with players so we can express our views. We understand not every club and federation is in the same position, so I think everyone just needs to be on the same page and all agree to the same structure so we can move forward in the best way possible, for the game.’

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