Women’s World Cup 2019: 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.
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.
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…
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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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.
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.
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