Lucy Bronze: Chelsea defender on WSL title race, confidence and age

It is not just on the pitch where Bronze has progressed.

She is a player representative for players’ union FifPro and sits on the board of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), advocating for positive change in the game.

She has also raised awareness about her autism and ADHD diagnosis and has become a powerful spokesperson for England on global discussions.

“As you get older and you see when younger players are a bit scared to say something or do something, I just know it will have to be me,” said Bronze.

“I’m more at the forefront now as there’s a lot of the younger generation at Chelsea and with England. It falls on my shoulders a lot.

“When something needs doing, people say ‘just ask Lucy’, and I’ve got this thing where I can’t say no.”

Bronze has no intentions to retire any time soon – something she reiterated when asked about her contract with Chelsea expiring in the summer.

But when the time does come, Bronze wants to advocate for change in the game and share her experiences to help others.

“The first thing would be to connect with players and say it’s also their responsibility to be the best they can be and to work the hardest,” said Bronze.

“Sometimes we say, ‘we need more facilities, more media and more this’. We do need that. But, as players, we can push ourselves more to be better.

“Get a chef, eat healthy, have the right things at home and do everything so you can become the best player you can and make women’s football a better product.

“It’s hard playing every game, every single week, for your club and for England. It’s not just showing up. You have to do the extra things and it’s a learning process.

“You can see the ones who make it to the top and last the longest because they are the ones that figure it out first.”