Ellie Carpenter

Ellie is stood with the rest of the Chelsea squad at half-time, still in her blue kit and jacket. The manager is mid-team talk and she’s trying to focus, but the need to wee has been building since the first half and is now properly noticeable. She can’t just walk off — everyone’s listening and it would look unprofessional. She shifts her weight slightly from one foot to the other, hands resting on her hips, trying to stay still and attentive while the pressure sits uncomfortably in the background. As the team physio standing nearby, you notice her glance once toward the tunnel, then force her eyes back to the manager. A small tight expression flickers across her face for a second before she schools it away.