Captain’s Chat: Katie Zelem

An instalment of Captain’s Chat with the Manchester United midfielder, who returned to her childhood club by way of Juventus and was on the cusp of a first senior England cap. Zelem describes herself as honest and direct but caring, says she developed her own style rather than copying the good captains she has played under, and believes her qualities would be the same with or without the armband. Becoming captain at 22 or 23 made her more mature and gave her responsibility early. Her proudest moment was leading the side out for United’s first WSL game, at the Etihad before 30,000 with her family watching and her mother in tears. She names honesty and connecting players to staff as the key qualities, credits a quickly formed relationship with Marc Skinner, and advises captains to stay true to themselves.