Women’s Super League: Lucy Bronze explains why she decided to stay at Chelsea

Although there has been no international tournament for Bronze this summer, there has not been any let-up in her busy schedule.

A girls’ soccer school in Devon, a wedding in Alicante, a trip to the men’s World Cup final in New Jersey and an eye-opening trip to Colombia’s capital Bogota have occupied much of her time.

“I did a whole day with refugees there,” she said of the Bogota visit. “These kids just make the most of everything.

“We had to get permission to be on the streets and there was a girl there who plays on this team with all the boys on this terrible little pitch in the middle of the city with all sorts going on around.

“I was able to give her [Chelsea defender] Naomi Girma’s shirt – one of the captains of the USA. I showed her pictures of Naomi wearing it and said that her parents were also refugees. It was amazing.”

While happy to make a small difference on her trip, Bronze wanted to do more, saying: “I felt like I didn’t give enough.”

She intends to be back in South America next summer, provided England navigate two rounds of qualification play-offs in the autumn to book their place at the Women’s World Cup, which Brazil will host.

On the losing side in the final against Spain in 2023, the 34-year-old ascended to third on the all-time appearances list for the Lionesses this year.

Making sure that she and England make that World Cup trip is a huge priority this season.

“Everybody knows that playing for England means the world to me,” Bronze said.

“Every experience I’ve had at the World Cup has just been phenomenal – it’s been the best moments of my career.

“I just want to win it with England.”