Alex Greenwood believes the flexibility of England gamers is a key energy going into the World Cup. “We’ve got players who can play in a number of positions, and obviously in a tournament that can go on for seven games it can be important that you’ve got fresh players in different parts of the pitch,” she says. “It’s definitely a strength of ours and something we’ll utilize.”
The Lionesses play their opening fit in opposition to Haiti subsequent Saturday and on Friday night performed a behind-closed-doors pleasant in opposition to Canada, which ended 0-0, on the Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Only two gamers didn’t seem in a sport that includes limitless substitutes ready to roll off and on, with goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck and ahead Bethany England each unused whilst Millie Bright had her first mins of motion since March.
“It was good,” says Greenwood. “Good to get minutes for people and have more prep time together. [It was] an important time to get a game in as well, with a week to go, so on the whole, really positive.”
Greenwood’s position in Sarina Wiegman’s squad is more and more necessary. Having now not began a sport right through the Euros remaining 12 months, after enjoying a number of video games along Bright whilst Wiegman experimented with Leah Williamson additional ahead, the Manchester City defender is predicted to spouse Bright on the World Cup, after Williamson used to be dominated out with a ruptured anterior cruciate hyperlink.
England’s beginning left-back on the Euros, Rachel Daly, has earned her position additional ahead after a golden boot-winning season with Aston Villa, making sure England’s again 4 will glance very other 12 months on. The 29-year-old Greenwood has performed at left-back and centre-back in fresh months for England, as Wiegman has explored other combos.
“I’m always happy to play for England in either position,” says a comfy Greenwood, after an hour-long coaching consultation after which a small rite to provide the previous Lioness Paddy (Margaret) McGroarty, who flew in from her house in Melbourne, together with her legacy cap because the 6th participant to formally play for the England girls’s workforce.
“Whatever my role is for the team, I’ll do it the best I can,” Greenwood says. “I think I’ve shown that previously. But, yes, whether it’s left-back or centre-back, I know both roles really well. I’ve played both, obviously more so centre-back as of late, but throughout the majority of my career I’ve been a left-back. So whatever role I’m asked to play, I’ll make sure I’m fully prepared.”
Greenwood will almost certainly start, as one of Wiegman’s most experienced defensive options. It is a different part to the one she played in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, which England lost to the eventual winners, the US. “My role that day was different, I was on the bench, so I had a different outlook on the game, but the pain remained the same,” says Greenwood. “Of course, you don’t want to lose any semi-final. But it’s easily forgotten after last summer when you’re successful and you get a taste of a different medicine. You want to keep that medicine in your mouth.
England went into the 2019 World Cup with high expectations. This time they go in with a similarly high profile, but now among the favorites to be champions, does that make a difference?
“The expectation never goes away, whether you’re successful or not, but that’s an expectation that we enjoy,” says Greenwood. “Mentally we are in an excessively certain position, and that’s the reason from being a hit; I believe the gang is in an excellent position. We’ve were given some gamers who skilled remaining summer season, some gamers who did not are available in and need a style of what it appears like.”