Telford pens one-year playing extension and starts her coaching career at the Kingsmeadow outfit
By Paul Lagan
Goalkeeper Carly Telford has signed a new deal at the Blues for another year, but she will also start a coaching career with the Kingsmeadow outfit.
Telford is currently back-up goalkeeper to Ann-Katrin Berger. But with the club already signing Sweden stopper Zecira Musovic, to challenge Berger Telford's would expect to move down the pecking order.
The offer of a coaching role at the club means she can continue at Chelsea, while develop new skills and offer her experience to the coaching set-up.
The 33-year-old said: "I’m extremely happy. I think it’s important at my age to know that I’ve still got something to give to a club like Chelsea but also for the club to feel like they still value me.
"This club has been amazing for me personally and to be around such a quality team and group of girls is amazing.
"It’s an honour to come to work every day and long may it continue for the next year or so.’
With one eye firmly fixed on the future Telford will take up a part-time coaching role from next season to the Under-16 and Under-18 goalkeepers.
Telford said: "I’ve always loved helping develop players around me, not just goalkeepers but outfield players as well.
"I’m really excited because the coaching set-up at Chelsea is amazing, not just at senior level with the experiences that we have with winning lots of trophies, but our youth set-up is fantastic as well.
"I’ll be helping those girls, keeping them at Chelsea and improving them as people and as players.
General manager Paul Green: said: "We’re delighted to have Carly not only sign a new contract but also begin her professional coaching journey here at Chelsea from next season.
‘She still has a lot to give on the pitch as a player, but alongside that, Emma and our staff are really looking forward to helping her coaching develop."
