Katie Zelem

Katie Leigh Zelem (born 20 January 1996) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for FA WSL club Manchester United, which she also captains. She has been called up to the England national team.

Katie Zelem
Zelem with Manchester United in 2019
Personal information
Full name Katie Leigh Zelem[1]
Date of birth (1996-01-20) 20 January 1996
Place of birth Oldham, England
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 10
Youth career
2004–2013 Manchester United CoE
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Liverpool 38 (10)
2017–2018 Juventus 18 (4)
2018– Manchester United 42 (16)
National team‡
2010 England U15 2 (0)
2011–12 England U17 14 (4)
2013–2015 England U19 30 (10)
2014–2016 England U20 6 (0)
2016 England U23 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 February 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 June 2017

She has previously played for Juventus and Liverpool, and has represented England from under-15 to under-23 level.

Club career

Early career

Zelem started playing football when she was six. At the age of eight, she joined Manchester United Girls' Centre of Excellence.[2] Her youth coach Emma Fletcher said Zelem showed a great attitude and appetite for learning and understanding the game.[3]

Liverpool

With no professional set up at United, Zelem joined Liverpool in 2013.[2] She was in the Liverpool squad for the first time on 3 August 2013 when Liverpool lost 3–0 to Arsenal, however, she did not play.[4]

On 11 April 2014, Zelem suffered a broken collarbone, while on international duty for England under-19, and missed the start of the 2014 FA WSL season.[5] After recovering from injury, she made her senior team debut on 29 June 2014, before being substituted for Nina Frausing-Pedersen in the 58th minute, in a 1–0 defeat against Arsenal in the FA WSL.[6] A week later, Zelem scored her first senior goals in a 7–1 win against Durham in the Continental Cup.[7] She scored two headers, both assisted by Lucy Bronze.

On 12 October 2014, Zelem was an unused substitute in Liverpool's win against Bristol City, as they retained the FA WSL title after a dramatic final day of the season.[8] In November 2014, Zelem was nominated by The FA for the WSL Development Player of the Year, alongside Carla Humphrey and Natasha Baptiste.[9] In the same month, Zelem was named Liverpool's Young Player of the Year.[10] Liverpool coach Matt Beard praised Zelem, likening her to Frank Lampard and stating she has great career in the future.[11] In December, Zelem signed a new contract.[12]

In November 2015, Zelem penned a new contract with Liverpool.[13]

Juventus

In August 2017, she moved to Juventus for an undisclosed fee.[14] On 9 September, Zelem scored her first goal, on her competitive debut, for Juventus in an 8–0 win over Torino in the Coppa Italia.[15] Zelem played a total of four games, scoring two goals in the competition as Juventus lost 1–0 to Brescia in the quarter final on 2 May 2018.[16][17][18]

On 30 September 2017, Zelem made her first Serie A appearance as a substitute in the club's inaugural match, a 3–0 win at Atalanta.[19] Three weeks later, Zelem scored her first league goal in a 4–1 win against Empoli.[20] On 20 May 2018, Juventus won the Serie A title in their first ever season in existence after defeating Brescia in a penalty shoot-out in the Championship playoff.[21] Zelem left at the end of the campaign.[22]

Manchester United
Zelem playing in an FA Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019.

In July 2018, Zelem joined Manchester United for their inaugural season in the FA Women's Championship for the 2018–19 season, one of seven players to return to the senior side having played for the club at youth level.[23][24] She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against former club Liverpool on 19 August.[25] In the opening game of the 2018–19 Championship season, she scored her first goal for United, on her league debut, from the penalty spot in a 12–0 win away to Aston Villa.[26] Zelem was voted FA Women's Championship Player of the Month for March 2019.[27] At the end of the season, Zelem was named Manchester United Women's Player of the Year.[28] In doing so, she became the first player to win the award.

Following the departure of Alex Greenwood in August 2019, Zelem was named as club captain ahead of the 2019–20 season.[29] Zelem scored her first goal of the season, a penalty, in Manchester United's 2–0 WSL win against Liverpool on 28 September.[30] In a 1–1 draw against Reading on 2 February 2020, a penalty was awarded against Zelem after she was penalised for a handball, despite the ball hitting her head, leading to criticism of the standard of refeereeing.[31][32]

International career

Youth

Zelem made her youth debut for England for the under-15s when she played against Netherlands in March 2010.[33] In August 2013, Zelem was part of the England under-19 team who finished as runners-up to France at the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Wales.[34]

In February 2014, Zelem was named in the England under-19 squad for the 2014 La Manga Tournament in March.[35] In August, she represented England under-20 at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada.[36] Coached by Mo Marley, Zelem was used as the playmaker of England's midfield. After draws with South Korea and Mexico, England failed to progress to the knock-out stage after being defeated by eventual finalists Nigeria 2–1 in the final group game.[37] In July 2015, Zelem was named in the England under-19 squad for the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Israel.[38] England finished bottom of group B and did not progress.

Senior

In September 2020, Zelem received her first senior national team call-up as part of a 30-player training camp at St George's Park.[39][40] She was later forced to withdraw, having to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19.[41][42]

Style of play

Speaking in 2014, Martha Harris, Zelem's best friend and Liverpool teammate, rated Zelem as "a very cheeky player [who is] clever on the pitch but is also a risk taker"[43] She is described as an attacking midfielder with two good feet, who can pick a pass out and finish as well.[44]

Personal life

Born in Oldham, Zelem is the niece of former professional footballer Peter Zelem, and her father is former Macclesfield goalkeeper Alan Zelem.[45][46] She was educated at The Blue Coat School, Oldham.[47]

Zelem greatly admired Fara Williams, who became her role model in developing the game as a midfielder. Zelem considered herself fortunate that she can learn and play along a hard-working figure like Williams.[48]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 7 February 2021.[49]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Europe[lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool 2014 WSL 1 7100220093
2015 90006020170
2016 156002020196
2017 7300000073
Total 381000102405212
Juventus 2017–18 Serie A 184420000226
Manchester United 2018–19 Championship 18102061—2611
2019–20 WSL 1451062—217
2020–21 1010030—131
Total 421630153006019
Career total 9830722554013437
  1. Includes the Italian Women's Cup and Women's FA Cup
  2. Includes the WSL Cup/Women's League Cup
  3. Includes the UEFA Women's Champions League

Honours

Club

Liverpool[49]

Juventus[49]

Manchester United

Individual

References
  1. "List of Players – England" (PDF). FIFA. 4 August 2014. p. 5. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. Duncker, Charlotte (28 December 2018). "From Manchester United to Liverpool FC via Juventus and back again: How Katie Zelem defied her childhood critics". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. "Katie Zelem – Season Review 2011/12". Manchester United Foundation. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  4. "Liverpool vs. Arsenal – 3 August 2013 – Soccerway". Soccerway. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  5. "Zelem out for 6–8 weeks". Liverpool FC. 11 April 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  6. "Liverpool Ladies 0 – 1 Arsenal Ladies". Liverpool L.F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  7. "Durham Women FC 1 – 7 Liverpool Ladies". Liverpool L.F.C. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  8. Leighton, Tony (12 October 2014). "Liverpool Ladies pip Chelsea to WSL title on dramatic final day". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  9. "Liverpool Ladies midfielder Katie Zelem is overwhelmed with her nomination for Women's Super League Development Player of the Year". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  10. "Ladies host awards night at Anfield". Liverpool FC. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  11. "Women's football: Liverpool Ladies boss hails midfielder Katie Zelem's potential". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  12. "Katie Zelem signs new Liverpool deal". The Football Association. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  13. "Liverpool Ladies trio pen new contracts". Liverpool F.C. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  14. "Katie Zelem joins Juventus Women". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  15. "Juve Women hit eight in competitive home debut". Juventus. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  16. "Women: la Juve vince e va al terzo turno di Coppa Italia" (in Italian). Juventus FC. 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  17. "Coppa Italia Women: la Juve vola" (in Italian). Juventus FC. 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  18. "Women, a Vinovo vince il Brescia 1–0: Juve fuori dalla Coppa Italia" (in Italian). il BiancoNero. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  19. "Atalanta vs. Juventus – 30 September 2017 – Soccerway". Soccerway. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  20. "Another win for Juventus Women!". Juventus. 28 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  21. "Leonesse KO ai rigori, Juve regina d'Italia" (in Italian). Brescia Calcio Femminile. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  22. "International trio depart Juventus Women". Juventus.com. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018.
  23. "Manchester United include England stars in unveiled women's squad". 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  24. "Man United Women's 2018/19 squad". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  25. Drudge, Harriet (19 August 2018). "MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL WOMEN 0 UNITED WOMEN 1". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  26. "MATCH REPORT: ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED WOMEN 12". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  27. Plant, Michael (10 April 2019). "Zelem Wins March Player of the Month Award". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  28. Higgins, Adam (9 May 2019). "Zelem Is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  29. "Man Utd Women announce new captain ahead of the 201920 season". www.manutd.com.
  30. Bostock, Adam (28 September 2019). "Manchester United Women 2 Liverpool 0". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  31. "Women's Super League: Officiating criticised after Manchester United penalty decision". BBC Sport. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  32. Theivam, Kieran (21 February 2020). "What is the FA doing about refereeing standards in the women's game?". The Athletic. Retrieved 16 September 2020.(subscription required)
  33. "TheFA.com – Katie Zelem". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017.
  34. "Women's Under-19 – England-France". UEFA. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  35. Glenn, Lavery (13 February 2014). "Mo Marley names England Women's U19 squad for La Manga Tournament". The Football Association. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  36. Lavery, Glenn (1 July 2014). "Mo Marley names England squad for Women's U20 World Cup". thefa.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  37. "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 – Group C". FIFA. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  38. Stonehouse, Gary (6 July 2015). "England Women's Under-19s depart for Israel as the countdown to their European Championship kick-off begins". The Football Association. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  39. Association, The Football. "Phil Neville will gather a 30-strong England squad for September training camp". www.thefa.com.
  40. "England Women name Katie Zelem and Rinsola Babajide among seven new call-ups". Sky Sports.
  41. "Man Utd Women captain Katie Zelem tests positive for Covid-19". www.manutd.com.
  42. Association, The Football. "Katie Zelem and Lucy Bronze out of Lionesses squad as Izzy Christiansen joins up". www.thefa.com.
  43. "Who's Who in the England squad with Martha Harris". Girls on the Ball. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  44. "Katie Zelem Player Profile, Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool Ladies FC. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019.
  45. Bandini, Paolo (9 October 2017). "Katie Zelem: 'My agent said Juventus are interested. I just thought: Wow'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  46. "Silkmen A-Z: Alan Zelem – News – Macclesfield Town". Macclesfield Town. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  47. "Lioness Katie ready to roar". www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  48. "Katie Zelem". Sports Aid. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  49. "Katie Zelem player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  50. "Man Utd Women 7–0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
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