Lucy Bronze does not really do new contracts.

The England legend has played for some of Europe's biggest clubs, and has usually left when her deal has run out.

Manchester City (twice), Lyon and Barcelona have all found themselves in her rear-view mirror when her time was up – leaving with more medals and memories and her eyes fixed on a new challenge.

This summer, though, with her contract expiring at the end of Chelsea's worst season in seven years, she decided to sign on for another 12 months.

"Where do you go? Where do you improve? Where do you win? The options are endless, really," Bronze said.

"You watch people make a wrong step. I'm always very clear on the decisions I make – I'm very headstrong. I feel at home in the area and I'm so settled.

"Even if it isn't potentially the perfect thing in the moment, I will make it the best that it can be."

Twelve months ago, Chelsea had just completed the best season in their history – securing a domestic treble and going unbeaten for an entire campaign in the Women's Super League to make it six titles in a row.

At the Women's European Championship that followed, Bronze was instrumental in England retaining the trophy, starting every game despite suffering a fractured tibia on the eve of the tournament.

But the 2025-26 season did not pan out as anticipated.

Chelsea beat eventual champions Manchester City on the opening day and won their first four games, but that was as good as it got for Sonia Bompastor's side.

Everton ended their 34-game WSL unbeaten streak in December and Chelsea could not recover, eventually finishing third and being knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal.

Although they did retain the League Cup, finishing third was unusual in Bronze's glittering career – not that this has over-influenced her decision.

"I will make the most of the opportunity, whether that's becoming a better player, winning trophies, learning languages," Bronze said.

"Now I'm one of the oldest in the team and there's a lot of young players, so I've found a really good role in a club that I'm comfortable with."

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."