We Are Chelsea - LIVE with Millie Bright!

Episode Date: September 30, 2026

This is We are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Skoda, the official car partner of Chelsea Women and proud supporters of women's sport.https://www.skoda.co.uk/Millie Bright joins the We Are Chelsea podcast to discuss her new documentary, MILLIE, her decision to retire from football and what comes next. The former Chelsea captain also opens up on Erin Cuthbert taking over the armband and sharing her pregnancy news, as well as Chelsea’s partnership with Fertility Plus. Millie reflects on the move first team's permanent move to Stamford Bridge and reveals what she believes has been the biggest change in women’s football.Comment below your questions and Whistleblower dilemmas! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gosh, we've got a right room full today, y'all all right. Well, welcome to We Are Chelsea Live. It is great to have you here ahead of the London Derby at the bridge. Are we all excited? You're particularly excited. I'm appreciating the enthusiasm. I love it. Before we get started, a quick shout out.

The We Are Chelsea podcast is brought to you in association with Skoda, the official car partner for Chelsea women. and they are proud supporters of women's sport. A big thank you to Skoda for their support in making today's live episode and the podcast itself happened, well, making it possible. Big round of applause for Chelsea and Skoda.

And thank you, Skoda for the cupcakes. That was a nice touch. Has anybody had one? Oh, they bang it, and they look great. Our guest today needs no introduction. She spent more than a decade at Chelsea. She's lifted countless trophies, captain the club and England and become one of the most recognisable defenders in the women's game.

But today it feels particularly special because this is a chance to welcome her back at the beginning of a completely new chapter in her life. Please give a huge welcome to Millie Bright. Thank you guys. You've brought the energy today. We are loving this. Millie, welcome back to the bridge. How's it feeling back? Yeah, a little bit weird actually. I'm used to going down the players entrance and now now I need a lot of people to escort me around places and tell me where to go, but yeah, it's amazing to be back and I'm just super excited to see the fans. And it's such a day to be back as well,

like the energy in the entire stadium is just electric. It must be so fun. I still feel like I'm getting the adrenaline of playing in a London Derby, so yeah, I hope the girls have got the same adrenaline as I do. But yeah, I'm really excited to see the girls play and just be back at the bridge, feel the environment. I think that's the one thing that I miss the most.

Is it weird being back here and not having to get changed and warm up and get ready to go and run around the pitch. Yeah, I mean, as pregnant as I am, I'm feeling glad that I'd have to run anywhere right now. I've been enjoying that the most, not having to run, although I do do a lot with the horses, so I'm running alongside the kids riding now.

But yeah, it feels a little bit weird, but I do honestly feel like I'm in a good place of not playing. I think it's the elements of the game that I miss the most, the fans, seeing the girls every day at training, just those game day preparations. But, yeah, I've just had to adjust it. in a big way, but it's really nice to be back. And the girls are going to have a really friendly face

supporting him today? Yeah, be friendly if we're on top of the gaming we won't. You might get the old Millie, pitch millie coming back, but I'm sure I'll be shouting and being a fog on from the side. Friendly, pending performance. We've actually

got a little glimpse into what your last season at Chelsea looked like for you. Your new documentary is out today on the Chelsea website and app, so before we talk about it, we've got a little I think pig, let's take a look. I think that's something that players don't really speak about much, to be honest. Nothing fears you.

You would have believed, girl. I don't play to play, I play to win. You're not going to get another generation yet to see that again. I don't think she realises what she's achieved. Holy crap, this is what it's like been at Chelsea. It looks epic. That's so special. What was it like? special. What was it like having the cameras folly at such an important, like, fares of your life? It was fine for me. I think for the family, maybe it was a bit of an

adjustment for them and everyone's faces. But honestly, I think, you know, the guys that did a documentary, they know me well enough. And it's been amazing. We already had that relationship and that bond. So it was easy to bring them into home life. And, yeah, be a little bit vulnerable and show the true side of what retirement looks like and, you know, all the memories through my career and the people that I had to thank along the way. And I'll, thank forever because they're the reason that have put me in this position. But it's been really fun. There's some really interesting bits for you all to watch.

So yeah, hopefully you laugh along, maybe some tears. But yeah, it's really exciting. They've done a great job. It's going to be such a great insight into the life of a female athlete and the decision behind retirement. Obviously, there was a pretty emotional time having left Chelsea and it being such a huge part of your life. When did you first know that it was time for you to move on?

This is the hardest question. This is the one that everyone over. always ask me. Honestly, I don't think there's one moment. I think once I had retired, I always had this little feeling where I just kept joking about and ask Erin and Sam and Guru, they'll tell you, I always just joke, oh, I'm done, girls, I'm hanging the boots up, I'm done. And I used to joke like a lot and then I was like, when I was tired, like, maybe I weren't actually joking. Yeah, the jokes aren't funny anymore. Maybe I haven't they did. Jokes on me, my body was done. but yeah I think it's more of a

and I think now I've retired I think you prepare to retire but you're never really prepared because it's been if anyone asked me now what's the hardest part of your career I'd say retiring like definitely the hardest part

and you know I think as players were very naive when we're in the game because you're like yeah I'll never retire I'll play till I'm 50 whatever but that time comes and it doesn't just come for senior players it could come for young players and I've reflected a lot on retirement

and maybe things that we need to think about a little bit more just for players to have in mind because you could be a 21 year old and get an illness or an injury that stops you from playing so retirement doesn't just come to us senior players it can come to anyone

so I think I've had yeah I've learnt a lot of lessons through it as well but I'd probably say the last season was where my mind was ticking a little bit more than before and obviously even England like I'd already been through that process so I kind of knew

what I were feeling. It's just hard to accept sometimes but I think it was the best, well I know it was the best decision for me mentally, physically and yeah, time for the kids to come through. It's such a big decision. What's been the biggest

adjustment since leaving? Routine. I think I've been back home with mom. You know, selling a house, buying a new house, transition's been the hardest thing but luckily my family and my my everything, as you all know, and yeah, going back home has actually been really

refreshing. I never thought I'd be going back home at 33, but I think I've drove them insane just as much as they've drove me insane. But I think the hardest thing is routine. Kaz Carney always told me this, when you retire, get a note pad and write down every step of the day, she was like, she's going to need it. And she was like, right, even if it's 9 a.m. breakfast.

Like, Kaz, I'm not writing 9 a.m. breakfast. I'll be fine. I did write 9.m. breakfast and everything else amongst that but I'd say that's been the hardest thing is retiring. I had a purpose every single day. It was to be the best version of myself, to be the best player I could be, to train the hardest, to be reliable, to represent the club in the best manner, and to win. And I retired, and then I was like, what am I doing? Like, where do I go? Who do I see? What do I do? And I'd gone from having this circle of people for 12 years that I saw every single day, you know, everyone knows the T4 crew,

out to them, but every morning we'd have a coffee. We'd just debrief on life or any struggles that we had or frustrations or whatever it might be. And when I retired, I lost that. So then I was like, I weren't getting that little, I weren't getting things off my chest. I weren't like, yeah, if you're having a bad day, the girls would pump you up, you'd feel better. And I had to learn how to live back at home. And everyone's like, oh, it must be amazing. You're living a high life on the farm with your family. I was like, yeah, it's great. I just don't have a purpose. I don't know what I'm doing. So I think that's probably honestly been the hardest thing

is almost reinventing yourself and I feel really lucky to have always kept my life away from football with me because some players don't have that like football is literally all they have and that's it. Whereas for me I've got the farm, I've got that complete separate life which hopefully you guys get to see in the documentary

because it just proves that without that I think I would have struggled even more and then I started finding my routine, finding my feet. obviously expecting, so that was a whole journey in itself. But honestly, that gave me a purpose again. Which, congratulations. Thank you very much.

It's so excited. It is exciting. We're really happy. But yeah, I think just finding a routine. And obviously, Emma Hayes has played another big part in my life. As soon as I retired, she bought me a journal and told me things that she did when she left because, yes, she didn't retire,

but leaving something that you've read, represented a part of for so long. I didn't just play at the club, like, it was everything. Like, it still is my everything. So it was learning from, again, a life mentor that I'm lucky enough to have and just learning how to navigate through it. But honestly, just taking all the pressure off myself, I wanted to try and get everything figured out immediately.

And I was like, just breathe, have the summer, figure it out, take each day as it comes. And yeah, just learn to be me again, which has been really refreshing as well. I feel like I'm getting there now. Yeah, you've just got so much life and you're so bubbling. What's going to happen next? And you've said so much there that we're going to unpack later.

Now that you've had a bit of time away from Chelsea, what do you miss the most? The fans and the girls, definitely. Oh, thank you. Thank you, guys. I think, yeah, when you've been a part of something for so long, like it's the relationship with the fans. I know these people still out there that were there at Staines in 2015

and been on the whole journey, so you really do get to know each other. as people and I think yeah I've always had that loyalty to the fans but the girls as well like they're my family they're not just my friends and two of them are now at the other side of America which is a little bit selfish

now I've got to take trips out there so thanks having guru no I'm kidding and he always used to joke and I was like you take my little nephews with you I know I've got to fly out to see you but again it's we all just go into that next chapter of life and when you build relationships and bonds that lasts a lifetime

It doesn't matter where you are in the world. You'll always check in. You'll always be there for each other. And that's a beauty of football. It brings everyone together. Yeah, you've obviously shared a dressing room with so many incredible players and you've mentioned the T4 girls.

You're particularly close with them. Are you all still keeping in touch as much? Are we planning trips to America? Yeah, I mean, my life's been a little bit hectic for the last six months. So, you know, just trying to plan for the baby and stuff and moving to the new house. But I think, yeah, once we're all settled,

it will be when can we go out, when can we see them, and when can we try and tie everything in and get everyone together. So it's definitely in the plans 100%. But yeah, we keep in touch all the time. Yeah, is there a group chat? Absolutely. It's been going strong for many, many years.

What's the group chat name? Tremendous four, obviously. Fantastic. You've obviously handed the Chelsea captaincy over to her in now as well. How excited are you for her? Super excited. I know she had a little bit of a hard time, been injured and probably not to start that she wanted to time as captain,

but I'm absolutely buzzing. I think the fans will agree as well when you're Chelsea through and through. There's no one better for me to lead the club into its next chapter. And she knows what it takes to be a Chelsea player. She represents the badge every single day in every single game.

She's reliable. She's tough. She's Scottish, of course she's tough. But she's a good person and she knows what all you guys want and what you guys want to see on the pitch and she represents that. So I'm super proud of her.

She 100% deserves it. And yeah, I was just itching for it. to be released. I was like, please let the fans know. Come on. But yeah, she's going to do amazing. I think she just needs to keep, just keep being erring. That's it. Have you given her any advice or told her anything specific as she enters this new sort of journey for her?

No, I think it's important to let her navigate through that and to be the captain she needs to be. And I've always said this. I think sometimes we try and put captains under the same umbrella and try and make them all the same, which the beauty of being people is we're very different. We all have our own individualities and different characters and strengths and Erin will lead in her own way and I think that's why she's been picked to do the job. I don't think she needs to change anything that she's doing.

She played like a captain anyway with or without the armband, but she knows I'm here if she needs me and she's always got my support on and off the pitch 100%. But I think it's important that she leads in her own way and puts her little Scottish spin on it. It's so nice hearing, like episode after episode we hear about how close everyone is. and how everybody's like a family and like you, some of the other girls are off starting families as well.

What's it like seeing some of your closest teammates becoming moms and becoming parents? I love it because I get to be an auntie all over again. I love being an auntie, but I'm super proud of being an auntie. And like I said, those kids, you know, they become my little family as well. And it's nice.

I think you build these friendships and we start off as youngsters, silly, and doing daft things and crazy. crazy and living the dream of being a footballer and now all of a sudden marriage and kids and family life and yeah you're just making memories throughout throughout life and that's why I've always said there's so much more to life than football and it's what you get out of it as well yes the trophies are brilliant and the Chelsea cabinet is the fullest of amongst all the teams which I'm proud of but it's the friendships it's the memories it's the things when life gets really really tough they're the people that you know you can pick up the phone to

and also you get to share it with your little one and show them all the memories and all the trophies that you've won so yeah it's really, really nice and I think it's a huge next step in the game. Do you feel like you're all entering this new chapter together? Yeah, 100%. We always used to joke like,

oh, you'll be next, now you'll be having a kid next, and you'll be getting married, like we always used to have those little silly chats, but yeah, I think it's nice to see, I love seeing my friends happy. That's one of the biggest things I want everyone around me just to be happy and to find their place in life,

whatever that might be, whether it's football or not football. Yeah, I just like to see everyone having a good time. And talking about your new chapter, obviously congratulations again on your pregnancy. Tell us everything, how are you feeling? How's that looking for you? It's fine for now,

but if I have to dash over to that toilet is because my sickness is horrendous, so just keeping it real with the... It'll be a podcast first. No, I know I joke about it, but it is just the reality of being pregnant and there's not one part of it that I'm ashamed about. It's just part and parcel of the journey.

And I've been feeling good. Early on, I was like a zombie, so no one wanted to be around me there, and I was just sleeping and tired. And honestly, learning about the female body and everything that it does and how it changes and it's adapting, and I'm just still out. I've got something like a baby inside me, like just growing. It's crazy, while still doing all these other amazing things.

But, yeah, it's definitely been a journey. And again, just something that we just take. like myself with Tom we just take it day by day and we're just embracing it and yeah we've learned a lot along the way as well and I'm sure we've got a lot more to learn but a lot of people keep saying oh get ready your sleep's going I'm like I didn't sleep anyway to be honest and I'm excited to get up and do the night feeds and stuff like that so it's the whole reason you decide to to have a family it's to create a little bit more chaos why not I've got it tattooed on me so hey-ho it's so nice you see you're so giddy about it how

did it feel to share the news publicly? Eventually it was amazing. I don't know how we've both, Tom's ADHD is way worse than mine. So he's like, can we tell, can we tell? He can't keep secrets bless him. So for us both to keep it a secret for that long. And actually for my mum to keep a secret wherever you are, mother. I'm very proud of you.

She kept it a seat, yeah, a round of applause for Mama B. She kept it a secret. Close, close family did. and we know you're not meant to tell people till a certain amount of weeks, but we told them immediately. We stayed up all night once I told him until 4 a.m.

We were like, right, we're going to tell him this way, do this, do that, do that. He was like, we've got to tell someone. I know you're not meant to, but we've got to. So we told close family, and then, yeah, when I couldn't hide it anymore, I was like, I'm going to have to tell it. And I think when it's your first,

even if it's your second or third, you want to be the ones to tell the news. And, yeah, it was nice to finally get it out there. And, yeah, gender reveal will be coming soon. That's excited. I thought I'd let you all know it is coming. We're not going to keep it a secret the whole way. I won't possibly be able to.

So, yeah, it's not a possibility. But it's exciting, and we're really, really happy. Has it actually sunk in yet? No, but not much does with me, so it's fine. I'm still accepting. I'm retired. No, it has. It has.

I can feel it. Yeah, it's just nice preparing. Like, I can't wait to get in the new. house, get the nursery done and design it all. And yeah, it's just really exciting. And I've been so close to my sisters and my niece and my nephews that I get to finally have that now. And, you know, they're like, finally, we get to be like, we can be an auntie again.

And so I think they're just happy. And ultimately, everyone's happy and delighted. And that's what it should be. You've been given the gift of God to bring another life into the world, which not everyone has that opportunity. So, yeah, we're just really grateful. and just want everyone to remain healthy and maybe I'd like my morning sickness to go

or the sickness, whatever time it pops up of the day. No predicting that one. You've spent so much of your adult life as a footballer thinking about your body, and in terms of football in performance and recovery and training, how has it been different experiencing it in your body in this way? That's been a hard thing because obviously early on you don't look pregnant but you are.

and then I got really deflated and I got really low in confidence and I was like, I'm so used to my body looking a certain way, fitting in certain clothes I was like, this is a disaster, I'm not going out, I'm not doing this, so I was like, you look fine, you look great, like you are pregnant, remember that, and I was like, yeah, it's very hard to remember that.

I look like this and I'll look like this. But I think the minute you, you know, you start to get your little bump and then you feel like, it's a reality then, like you feel pregnant, then I just started to embrace the pregnancy journey and that my body was changing and I probably appreciated my body

even more than I did before. Like I said, the fear my body is insane and even seeing the other players returning back to training that I've just had babies is incredible, like, incredible, like not that long after. It's ridiculous. But training-wise, I mean, first trimester, I was literally a zombie,

so I couldn't physically do anything, which for me was very frustrating because I'm so active, whether it's on the yard, walking the dogs, training, like used to be playing football, I'd always be on the go and I couldn't do that so I weren't getting my outlet of what I needed mentally and physically. And everyone's like, you just need to learn to rest.

I'm like, do you know how hard that is to tell someone that's very active learn to rest? I was like, I've physically gone. And then when I got kind of like my little boost back of my energy and then I started getting a little bit more active around the yard, walking the dogs again. And I just said, you know what? If I want to train, I'll train.

If I don't, I won't. And I didn't have any pressure to kind of do it. So I've just learned to, again, you're constantly learning no matter how old you are in this life. I just learned to let my body do what it needed to do. And ultimately it was, I needed to look after myself even more so because I've got a little one inside me. So it was just, it's a journey. It's definitely a journey. Yeah, and there's also a much bigger conversation here around female athletes and fertility

and the right time to start family. Do you think that female athletes feel the pressure around finding that right time? because there is so much to consider. I don't think it's so much the right time. I think in the women's game for so long it's been taboo. You mentioned baby and everyone's like, you're having a baby? Well, yeah, because when a male footballer has a baby,

it doesn't really affect the being able to play. It doesn't really affect the amount of time off. They just sort of like go back and come back for you guys. It's a much bigger decision. 100%. And it's not just that. And that's why another thing is I'm really proud that. again we're the club that's leading the way

in the WSL we've done something that all of the clubs should do like now we've set the tone with fertility support and the maternity and ends program that should be in place but now by us doing it which of course Chelsea have to do it first yes love that

it gives the power of other players in other clubs to be like where's ours like we should have that as a woman I should have that I should have that support and I shouldn't have to choose football or family because let's be honest, family is much bigger than football because he's there forever, it's always going to be there forever

and you shouldn't ever have to be in that position as a woman to make a choice. It should be fully supported and super proud of the club for giving that to our players, but the importance is that it's not just as easy as, oh yeah, I decide I want a baby, I'm having a baby. It's not that, it's the lead-up, it's making that decision to have it. It's then what are your options? Do you know, is IVF needed?

is it natural? There's so many different factors that need to be taken into consideration. It's the support of the players you want to freeze your eggs. Are you healthy? Can you even have children? It's all these things where it should be

a topic of conversation and it shouldn't be taboo. And I feel like we've taken that huge step that no other club's taken where you've heard how Carlis's spoken about it, our sonya's spoken about it. It's so refreshing to hear

that players don't have to make a choice. it's just the support is there if needed if that's a choice that you want to make but football will never prevent you from having that I think that's the key thing that we need to remember and because it's never really been conversation I mean we're lucky at Chelsea that we had Emma before who you know had Harry

and we had this experience of that but I think as much as it was support then there was no not really actioned anything and I think that's an important thing is the things that we say we support, we keep actioning, and I just think it's so powerful. And I hope now, Chelsea doing it, the rest of the league, kind of wake up a little bit and give the players what they deserve

because it should be there. For me, it's a non-negotiable. But I just think, yeah, we're, again, we're leading the way and setting the bar of what should be given to our players to look after him because being a mom and choosing to be a mom is just as important as lifting, Champions League for me, like it's bigger and goes beyond that. But there's so much that the players now have access to where it makes before,

during and after pregnancy, a possibility. And it makes it so much easy where you can return to play. Like you don't have babies and then all of a sudden you can't play sport. Disappear off the face. Yeah. Oh my gosh, she had a baby. She's not active anymore. She can't.

No, you can. That there's players that have already done it. There's players that are doing it now. And I just think, yeah, it's a super important step that we've taken. Yeah. As you mentioned, Chelsea has, they've now introduced a much broader set of player care policies around pregnancy, parenthood and adoption and facility. And they've now got a partnership with Fertility Plus as well, which is such a positive step forward.

The aims to give players much more support and security should they choose to start a family. How important do you think that support is? Because like you said, it's not a conversation that we've been having for very long. And Chelsea's very much been at the forefront of bringing in that conversation to life. It's massive. For players, it'll give you confidence to go and have that conversation that I'm thinking of starting a family. Or actually, you could be in your early 20s and want to go and freeze your eggs. It's not just about having a baby. Yes, it is. It's about putting all the options in front of the player and saying,

also, what do you need support with? Do you need education? Because you shouldn't have to wait until you retire. The age of retirement varies, but normally it's early 30s. You shouldn't have to wait till that age then be like oh i want to go and check if i want to freeze my eggs or also pregnancy is not simple like i feel super grateful that i'm in a position that i am now and we're all good but there's a lot of women that are out there that go through such a traumatic journey to to get in their little child and i just think there's so much more to it like it's played down so much there's there's so much education that needs to be done i think players need to know their options as well,

which is why Fertility Plus are an amazing company to partner up with, because there's also the topic that no one likes to talk about, miscarriage. I didn't realize how many women have miscarriages. It's so much more common than you realize, exactly, and it goes unspoken about, but it's what if a player goes through that experience, they provide that support, like it's the support of the player

before, what actually are you wanting to do, do you just wanna freeze now, Do you want to start your journey now? During pregnancy, fully looked after, you know, with your training, your support, your partner's support, and then post-pregnancy, support with nannies, childcare, like, you can still be in our environment and nothing has to change. Like you said, the men just go back to training, it's fine, just pop off for the birth and then pop back, it's easy to easy.

Not so much for us. But it provides the whole journey, not just our milly's going to be. to have a baby. I've just popped off and had baby, I'll be back. Like, it's the whole thing and supporting them mentally and physically, but the family as well. And I think that's such a huge step. Like, I don't think people appreciate how big this actually is and what Chelsea have done for the rest of women's football and the rest of the teams in England, which now should go on and should be pushing for this if they haven't already done so. Yeah. Is there anything that you wish, looking back on your journey now, is there anything that you wish that you could bring, no

what you know. Oh, I mean, apart from the sickness, honestly, I've had it pretty easy. I'd probably say the psychological side and especially being an athlete, we're so used to our body's been a certain way that you don't have control. And I know I'm yet to find an athlete

that doesn't like to have control because we're all very stubborn and forceful and we like to be in control. I'd probably say that's the hardest thing is you don't, and you also don't know what's coming, which is why I think the athletes are actually at an advantage because you don't really get

that much information outside. I'm lucky I've had my sisters. You know, my eldest, she's got two. She's got twins on the way. God help my mother and dad. No, I'm kidding, we love kids. Amy's got obviously Alby and Etta, so I'm fortunate enough that I've always had,

I've always been around kids and women that have gone through kind of the pregnancy and, you know, very different pregnancies as well. C-sections, complications. Yeah, because it's not. straightforward is it? No and let me tell you a C-section is not just one little slit. It's going through seven layers of the skin and then you have to heal from that so sorry for the

I've just had a biology lesson yeah in front of a room full of people but it is and that's the reality of it and it's why should we not speak about it like it's part of it so I think it's yeah I'd definitely say for players to have that education and just the real understanding of what it actually really is like. And I think I've probably learned that not being in the game because we've just been doing ourselves and with the help of my mom, my grandma, my sisters and kind of their input.

My sister, Amy, she's a nurse, so she's very forceful as well. Like, check this, you're feeling alright. Are you taking your tablets? Do you? She's the bad as Tom. But yeah, I think the fertility plus gives the players that extra support and that extra education. that you're not just, they don't just put you on,

or there you go, there's your support, it's educating. Because I think when you're in football or any sport, you're so driven and you're just so tunnel vision with your blinkers on that it's like win, win, win, I've got to win that trophy, I need training to this. You kind of, we don't really take note of things outside of that because there's no time to. You're playing over three days.

So honestly, I think it's going to be super excited, and I think we're all excited to work with them. And, you know, I think then the next step is the next task that we want to achieve as Chelsea is we want to be the first. first to be provided facilities. We want to make sure all our environments, Stanford Bridge, Cobham, we want to make sure they're baby friendly

so that you're walking. Like I said, post-pregnancy, you can have the support of bringing a nanny to away games or to the training ground which allows a player to return and go to training. It takes that stress off. Where's my baby? I've got to leave it at home. No, you can take it with you. You can do the normal thing and take it.

And we provide that support. So the next step now is pushing for that and being the first yet again. to provide a facility, is it a creche, is it a baby changing area? So it's, when you're training, you know your nanny's safe with the baby, and it's got everything that it needs.

And I think we want to keep being the first, and it's not be the first to brag. It's be the first to set the tone for the women's game. Yeah, it's opening up a broader conversation that needs to happen. It's a domino's effect in the women's game. I don't think any team should keep anything to themselves if they're above the rest, because

what it does is, like I said, it empowers the players then go, hey, obviously what Chelsea do we need that we need the same that's a bareman in for the women's game and as a woman in a working environment I should have this opportunity this facility this education

this support it gives players the power to go and do that and the confidence to be like this is normal I should have this so yeah Chelsea should be really proud with yeah it's an amazing job it's wicked we'll love it a huge thanks to Skoda for supporting this podcast and women's football more broadly

we love them for it You're driving to a game, popping round to your mates to watch it with them, or making a proper Chelsea weekend of it. They've got something in the range for you. The electric ENYAC SUV, if space is your thing, or try the coupé if you want to max out on style. Search Scoda today and jump in it to a better weekend. Speaking of broadening conversations, are you ready for some audience questions?

Yes, of course. We've had some great submissions. The first question we've had, what does the move to Stanford Bridge mean to you? That's a great question. It is a great question. Just before I retired, I can't remember who. My memory's not great at the minute, guys. Sorry about that. They're like, aren't you a bit sad that you're retiring just before you get to play at the bridge? Like every week, I'm like, no, because I'm passing the baton on its time.

He's been a part of that. Yeah, and it is. And it was that sense of like, oh my God, we finally got there. Like, yeah, I can relax now. All those demanding conversations and forcefulness that I can just relax and... Yeah, I did it. Let me go and do this really easy thing now where I have a baby. Do you know what? I think it might be easier than football at times, you know. I'm putting it out there. I think it might be. Do you know, we'll have you back and you can let us know. Yeah, I'll let you know next year. We'll follow up.

But it's massive. Again, it's a step in the direction that we want to keep going in. And now it's keep pushing. Let's sell out the stadiums and have the best crowd in the WSL. We love to hear it. All right. Next question is, are you spending time with horses again now? You've retired from football.

Yeah, ask my mum. I can't get away from them. And the first out on the yard and probably the last. in. But you'll see it in the documentary. The farm is everything to me. It's where I grew up. It's when my football started. I used to shove mum in goal and be booting bulls at back when I was a striker, of course. But it is. I used to turn a bench on its side and everyone was like, one, two, mate, off the bench and then I'd be hitting it at my mom and she actually pretty decent to be fair. But yeah, that for me is where it all began. And I think the last couple

years, we've lost a lot of, a lot of, sorry, a bit of a sad one, but we've lost a lot of our horses because obviously me and my sister wrote since I was little and all our horses was the same generation so when one went it just seemed like they all kept falling down and we have a rule on the farm is that we'll have no horse in pain ever so

they come into this world they have the best time they leave in the best place possible so that's the rule no animals in pain and yeah we've they've all grown old with us but then obviously everything has to come to an end so now we're like restocking with ponies and it's been so hard to

to show the ponies because everyone's like, why are you getting a pony, you can't ride it? It's too small. But obviously I would have given away that I was pregnant. So, yeah, the big reveals are coming soon with the ponies. So now it's just all about the grandkids and niece and nephews riding and I'm just running along. That's so wholesome.

That's so sweet. What is your favourite game playing against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge? That's a good question. I don't know, there's so many. You're asking me like a 12-year career, like which Arsenal game was my big? It's a really harsh question, whoever's asked how well to.

Honestly, just all of them, I love the London Derby's. It was one of the best games to play in, just the pure adrenaline that you had going into the game. Oh, this is a great question. What would you have done if he didn't play football? Well, I would have been in the equestrian world.

That was literally, I was going to start my exams, and then Chelsea came along and put it on hold. So, yeah, I'd definitely go back into that. You know what I've always said? I'd love to learn tennis. I mean, the girl's laughing because like Millie just hit it over the court and it'd go out of bounds, so probably they're not. I don't know what it is about live episodes

and somebody dropping out that they'd rather have some other random athletic career. Me sitting still, definitely wouldn't be in an office. I love it. Oh, this is a really good one. Who was the most difficult strike he played against? Oh, yeah, let's get a new going. Ooh.

That's a really good question. Do you know what? I'd say outside the WSL, Alexandra Pop, she was insane. And I was gutted when she didn't play the Euro's final. Everyone's like, yeah, buzzing, best players not playing. I was like, oh, I really wanted to play Enster. Unbelievable, like athlete, just, yeah, an incredible performer.

But I'd say another one, you know, Black Stinias, really hard because you never know where she is. And she's just a constant runner. She's always on your back shoulder, always running. It was really hard to stay connected with the midfield whilst not dropping and tracking her run. and a really unpredictable player in terms of what she's going to do. I always found her one of the,

I think the plays that you should drop into the pocket and go further away from me, I was like, you're kind of making my life easier, so perfect see you later. But yeah, I'd say Black Sinius and Pop, and obviously Sam in training. I was just like, please put me on the same team as I. How is it being a fan now?

Is it more or less stressful than playing? More stressful. There was no hesitation there was. I knew that question was going to come up, more stressful. Just ask moment time when we're at home and we're watching the game even if it's one of the men's games

I'm the same, but it's you can't, I've always said this, you can't influence the game, you can't impact it in any way, shape or form. They can't hear me. I'm screaming, no one's listening, you can't hear me. So yeah, I'd definitely say that

when I was playing, I could definitely impact my teammates and I could win the next tackle or, you know, try and score off a set piece. But yeah, watching is hard because I just, obviously I always want the girls to win and do well and I'm just like, I can't, oh, I can see a picture happening before it's even happened, and I'm just like,

I need to take a break, I can't, stressing the baby out. We are coming quite close with time, so I want to ask you a couple of questions about the game today. Who from the team, if you really enjoyed watching so far this season? Vila for me has been one. She's, I said that before I left, I was like, it's your time now, like go and smash it. don't ever let anyone take that off you.

You take it and you grab it with both hands and she's got all the qualities and attributes to go on and be one of the best in the world. And I think for her age, she's so mature and composed. And I'd like to think the fans agree. I think she's been one of our most consistent players. Yeah?

She has, yeah. I thought so. She's reliable. She's tough. She's calm on the ball. Got an unbelievable left foot. Can score a hell of goal as well. So she's honestly the full package.

and I think we're really lucky to have her at the club and yeah I think she can be a key part of our defence moving forward and having been a part of the team for so long yourself and being a part of the women's game especially what's the biggest change that you've seen in women's football? Ooh this season I'm seeing a lot of funky tracksuits that's what I have been seeing. I have a lot of the tracksuits coming out from all different teams

they've jokes aside they've yeah they've spiced it up a little bit but honestly I just see the attraction of the WSL. I love to see it. I've always said it's been one of the, it is the best competition and league in the women's game and the most competitive and to see big names coming over. I think it's a credit to everyone in the league, whether it's the team that you play for,

people behind the scenes, making it such an attractive league. I think it's a credit and it's a proud thing where you want the world's best coming to play in our league and I think that's boosted the crowds as well. I think everyone wants to come and see the best players, but ultimately you're going to get the best performances, and it's a little bit like Champions League and the WSL now,

which I think could be a really good thing. But I'd say that I'm always proud than players when I come and play in this league, because it is the best. Is there anything that you'd like to see change? Is there anything that you're still waiting on? Ooh. I mean, even though I'm retired now,

we want the best for the game. I want to keep pushing boundaries, and I think now I've had my few months, off and I've gathered myself. I've got a lot to bring to the table and push forward and that demand and I want. But it's for the greater good of the team, you know, keep representing this club in the right way and like I said, we always want to be the first to everything to be like we're still setting the bar all these years on. We're still the ones driving the standards and giving the players the best that they deserve. So yeah, probably the same. You'll see.

I like it. Now, you are a wanted woman and you're very busy, so we're not going to keep you for too much longer but before you go you're here to watch the London Derby today what colour do you think London is today obviously blue silly question who are you expecting to have a big impact on the game today do you know what a player like Kate McCabe as well having her on your side you'd rather have her on your team than play against her and I think she won't care that she's coming up against her old team she's got a lot of respect for him of course she has but she's an ultimate athlete she's a fantastic performer and she's with a reliable, she's gritty, we like big tackles in Derby, so yeah, I'm putting it on her,

she better bring them today. Have you got a score prediction for us? Oh yeah, get her in, go in. Don't put this pressure on me. Through you on Chelsea. I think that's made the room happen. That feels like a great place to wrap things up. Millie, it's been lovely having you back at the bridge.

Thank you so much. I know you're a busy lady. It's so nice to hear so much. much love you in the room. It's so lovely. I know you're a busy lady and you've got to rush off to all the million other things you've got to do today. But thank you so much for being so open with us and congratulations again. Thank you. Thanks for the fans. Love you all. Thank you all. And thanks to you, look, you've been eight. You've been fab, aren't you? Give yourselves a pen on the bed, girl.

Thank you so much to Skoda for supporting today's episode and thank you guys all for joining us for We Are Chelsea Live. And everyone, don't forget to watch the new Millie Bright documentary available on the Chelsea website and app. Thank you and enjoy the game. Thank you for listening to We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea women brought to you in association with Skoda, the official car partner for Chelsea women

and proud supporters of women's sport.