Eni Aluko Talks All Things England Ahead of Saturday’s Women’s World Cup Opener
Former Lionesses forward Eni Aluko has run the rule over the England team ahead of Saturday’s World Cup opener and has urged England fans to lower their expectations for the tournament. Sarina Wiegman led England to Euro 2022 glory but there were a number of high-profile injuries ahead of this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
England’s Injury Woes
Captain Leah Williamson is ruled out along with Bethany England, who both played huge roles in securing England’s first major trophy since 1966 last year. Tottenham striker England won the Golden Boot at Euro 2022 while Williamson was named in the Team of the Tournament. Fran Kirby is also missing but Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright were named in the squad having overcome injury scares.
Quizzed about the absence of Williamson, Aluko told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s a massive blow. Leah is the foundation of the team really, in terms of how England start attacks and play out. She’s the leader of the team as well, she sets the tone for the expectations of the team. Although I’m sure there are other leaders in there as well, [the absence of] her presence, her calmness, her vision for the team and her desire to win is something that is going to be felt. Then it’s about who replaces her. Are they ready to fill those boots? That’s more of a concern. England have a great squad but whoever takes Leah’s place, are they going to be ready to put in the level of performance that Leah did? It’s a big blow for England.’
Lowering Expectations
Asked if England fans needed to lower their expectations following England’s Euro triumph and back-to-back World Cup semi-final appearances in 2015 and 2019, Aluko added: ‘I think so, yeah. The amount of injuries to players who are the foundation of the team. Lucy Bronze [was] questionable, Leah Williamson is out, Fran Kirby is out, Millie Bright [was] questionable as well. These are massive players for the team. I think going into the World Cup with a full-strength squad, I would have said England were guaranteed to make the final. I think it changes things slightly. Even before the injuries, our back line was probably our weakest point. If I’m an opposition player against England, I would be thinking I could capitalise on that. I think expectations will have to be tempered slightly. But that’s not to say England still can’t go on to do it!’
England’s Starting XI
England face Haiti in their Group D opener on Saturday and Aluko feels there are ‘big question marks’ over the back four when Wiegman picks her starting XI. ‘The front three and the midfield is pretty strong,’ Aluko said. ‘Whether it’s combination of Lauren Hemp on the left, Chloe Kelly on the right, Rachel Daly down the middle or Alessia Russo down the middle, those are very strong options. I think Lauren James should now be the No.1 pick for the No.10 role, with Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway behind. The back line is where the big question marks are. Who plays if Lucy Bronze can’t play every game? Who replaces Leah Williamson and potentially Millie Bright? Is it Jess Carter? Is it Alex Greenwood? Those players are not natural centre-halves, but they can play there. Who plays on the left if Greenwood becomes a centre-half and Carter doesn’t play on the left? Is it Niamh Charles? That’s quite a young back line… it’s completely different than what you’d have at full strength. If you’re up against Sam Kerr or Sophia Smith, it’s concerning.’
WeSeeYou Network
WeSeeYou Network is a platform launched by Three UK in partnership with Chelsea Football Club to recognise all the incredible women in football from different backgrounds, and areas across the UK. It will provide once in a lifetime programmes, events and training from some of the best in the business at Chelsea FC and experts from the football industry like Eni Aluko