England’s preparations for the Women’s World Cup are nearly finished and there is a real optimism that Phil Neville’s side can achieve something great in the tournament.
The Lionesses triumphed in the SheBelieves Cup in the United States, winning the competition ahead of the hosts, who are ranked No.1 in the world.
Getty
7
Neville’s side have a great chance at the World Cup
England finished third at the last World Cup in 2015, and, despite the absence of key midfielder Jordan Nobbs, the team is littered with a number of talented stars.
But who are the key players in the side? talkSPORT.com has given our verdict…
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
ALL SEEMS REAL
Hazard shirts spotted at Real Madrid shop - number he will wear revealed
Protest
Why Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg is not playing for Norway at the World Cup
gossip
Tottenham transfer news live: Ryan Sessegnon to leave Fulham, Man United 'want' Dier
I'M FUL
Spurs target Ryan Sessegnon reportedly tells Fulham he wants to leave
Keira Walsh
Walsh enjoyed a fine season in the holding midfield role for Man City as they finished runners up in the league.
She has been an assured presence in front of the defence and even chipped in with one goal and five assists in 19 appearances – a decent return for a defensive minded player.
The 22-year-old made her debut for England in a World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan in 2017 and has since emerged as one of Neville’s most important players.
7
Walsh was an imperious figure in front of defence for City this season
Nobbs, speaking to Sky Sports, has admitted Walsh’s passing ability will be crucial to how England fare in the competition.
“The way that we want to play, we need that midfielder who can make passes long and short. She created a goal for Beth Mead in the SheBelieves Cup with a 40-yard diagonal.
“We need players to step up and she has been one of those players. I hope I can play alongside her in the years to come.”
Women's World Cup 2019
talkSPORT will have live coverage of every single England and Scotland game being brought to you LIVE across the talkSPORT network.
Nikita Parris
Parris has risen to be one of the most prolific strikers in the women’s game and she spearheaded Manchester City to victory in both domestic major cup competitions this term.
The 25-year-old scored a stunning 19 goals in 19 games in a stellar campaign in the league.
7
Parris is one of the best strikers in the world
She has also been snapped up by the Lyon – the current Champions League holders after thrashing Barcelona – and her confidence should be sky high after securing that move.
Parris goes into the tournament in good nick, too, having scored in the SheBelieves Cup and in the warm-up game against Denmark.
Beth Mead
Mead is another who has come on leaps and bounds under Neville’s management and she was another player who was very impressive in the SheBelieves Cup.
It was the 24-year-old’s wonderstrike that saw England overcome Brazil and she hit the back of the net against Japan too.
7
Mead plays on the wing under Neville
Before Mead moved to Arsenal, she was a prolific striker for Sunderland but she is also hugely versatile, having featured mainly on the wing under Neville.
Alongside Parris up front, the duo can be lethal in attack for the Lionesses at this World Cup.
Lucy Bronze
If England are to go all the way in France it’s likely the Lyon ace will be a key factor.
She was the heiress to Alex Scott’s role at right-back and has gone on to become one of the world’s finest in her position, while Lionesses boss Neville has taken to playing her in midfield too, such is her exceptional quality.
Getty Images
7
Bronze in action against Canada
Since moving to Lyon she’s added more trophies to her already impressive haul with Liverpool and Manchester City.
As well as three Women’s Super Leagues, she’s now got two French league titles under her belt and won the Champions League twice.
Don’t be surprised if she pops up with a goal or two either. In the 2015 World Cup she netted against Canada and Norway, while she was shortlisted for the Golden Ball at the tournament too.
Steph Houghton
“We’ve got a real mix of experience and talent at the World Cup,” says talkSPORT’s World Cup reporter Faye Carruthers.
“Houghton (105 caps) is the captain and has a wealth of experience behind her given that she’s the Manchester City captain, too. She’s a central defender, so her marshalling of everyone and influence on the pitch is really important.”
Getty Images
7
Houghton takes on her opponent against New Zealand
A warrior on the pitch, Houghton is one of the Lionesses many history makers and in October 2014 was the first woman to be on the cover of Shoot Magazine, a huge step for the women’s game which now regularly features in the publication and other similar titles.
The 31-year-old has 11 major domestic trophies to her name, while she has been a standout performer in England’s success in recent years.
Watch out for set-pieces, she may be a centre-back but she’s got a great free-kick on her – as she showed against America in the SheBelieves Cup.
England v Scotland: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time and team news for Women's World Cup clash
Fran Kirby
Hailed ‘Mini Messi’ at the 2015 World Cup by then-manager Mark Sampson, Kirby has gone onto big things with Chelsea.
At the last tournament injury curtailed her campaign as she was ruled out from the quarter-finals onwards, unable to help her team-mates who eventually finished third.
Getty Images
7
Kirby celebrates her goal against Brazil in October
This time out, with two stunning domestic seasons under her belt, she’s likely to play a big role for the Lionesses with her current boss also lavishing praise on her.
After watching his side beat Brazil last October he claimed he’s rather have her in his team than six-time Player of the Year Marta.
“I’d take my No 10 over Brazil’s No 10, that’s for sure,” he said.
“I don’t think Fran realises how much she can keep going, she doesn’t realise her full potential yet.”
If she can focus in France then the World Cup may well be coming home.
WATCH LIVE TODAY! - FIFA Women's Football Convention FIFATV 154 watching. Lionesses Gear up for the World Cup! England v Scotland Women's World Cup France 2019 - Duration:
Women's World Cup: Now watching from afar, England legend
Women's World Cup 2019 set to break TV records as England's Lionesses head to France Organisers hope a billion people will tune in to watch the superstars of the planet's fastest growing sport
Women's World Cup 2019: What we learned from the Lionesses
England's preparations for the Women's World Cup are nearly finished and there is a real optimism that Phil Neville's side can achieve something great in the tournament. The Lionesses triumphed in the SheBelieves Cup in the United States, winning the competition ahead of the hosts, who are ranked No.1 in the world.
News list for who are the lionesses superstars to watch out
The Lionesses won the SheBelieves Cup in March for the first time "We want women's football to get bigger and bigger, but we have to make ourselves as visible as possible. We're so powerful right now. We're a steam train, we're not stopping…" Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson sends out her rallying cry to …
FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ - FIFA.com
England manager Phil Neville said his squad are ready to "do the business" after arriving in France for the Women's World Cup. The Lionesses received an enthusiastic welcome from local children in
Women's World Cup Kick Off - Good Luck England Lionesses in
News list for who are the lionesses superstars to watch out for in france News list for who are the lionesses superstars to watch out for in france /England's preparations for the Women's World Cup are nearly finished and there is a real optimism that Phil Neville's side can achieve something great in the tournament.
Six key Lionesses to look out for in Women's World Cup
The England women's national football team are up against tough competition at this year's Fifa Women's World Cup in France. The group stage of the tournament will see the Lionesses take on
Women's World Cup 2019: Who are the Lionesses' superstars to watch out for in France? Phil Neville's side stand a real chance of being crowned world champions, but who are the key players to
Women's World Cup 2019 set to break TV records as England's
Women's World Cup 2019: Who are the Lionesses' superstars to
The former midfielder says she has belief that this year's squad has the ability to shine in France Lionesses to be confident ahead of World Cup. out for some of the Women's World Cup as
Women's World Cup 2019: How to watch the tournament
FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ FIFA Women's World Cup pitching the Lionesses against auld rivals Scotland, 2011 champions Japan and underdogs Argentina, Houghton's mind is now
England arrive in France for Women's World Cup | Football
No comments:
Post a Comment