Making up the rest of the backline are the defenders which are of course crucial to winning or in other cases drawing as if you don’t concede you don’t lose. The various defenders which played during the World Cup qualification was changed to an extent from England’s last major tournament, Euro 2013 which putting it kindly, didn’t go to well. Looking ahead to the tournament Mark Sampson does have a bit of a selection headache with a number of defenders currently on the side lines out injured. However Sampson still does have exciting talent to choose from with the likes of Manchester City’s Demi Stokes and Alex Greenwood of Notts County emerging in the left back position for example. So who will be making the trip to Canada in June, the candidates are listed below. Steph Houghton Despite only being 27 years of age, Houghton is very experienced having made her England debut in 2007 appearing in Euro 2013 as well as making the 2011 World Cup squad. She missed the 2007 World Cup and 2009 Euro’s through injury. In Houghton’s career she has won the Women’s Super League as well as appearing in the Champions League. So given her experience and most importantly that she is the captain it’s a certainty Houghton will make the cut. Verdict: Nailed on selection providing injury clears up in time. Laura Bassett One of the old heads of the squad who’s experience is vital for the team if they are to achieve World Cup success. Bassett, who made her England debut back in 2003 against Italy, has participated in many tournaments during that time frame and can be relied upon to grab the odd goal too. Like Houghton, Bassett has Champions League experience so Sampson’s judgement would be questioned should he opt not to take her. Verdict: 100% sure she’ll be there and can get her ticket now. Demi Stokes The University of South Florida scholar is one of the new breed to emerge under Sampson having worked her way up through the age groups and has established herself as the main contender for the left-back birth. At only 23, her spell in America seems to have proven vital in her development and given her versatility to play further up the field, Stokes is another ‘guaranteed’ selection. Verdict: Can be having a think about who she wants to sit next to on the flight, she’ll be there. Alex Scott The Arsenal defender who has been England’s permanent right-back for a number of years having played in three European Championships and two World Cup’s, which makes her one of the most experienced players still playing for the Lionesses. Like many of her team mates Scott too has had a stint in America playing for the Boston Breakers for a couple of years before returning to Arsenal for her 3rd spell and winning the Women’s Super League in the process. With over a 100 caps and counting Scott is an obvious selection in many people’s eyes including Mark Sampson’s, so she’ll be there. Verdict: Going unless injured, simple. Lucy Bronze The 23-year-old is another of the new breed that Mark Sampson’s brought in having worked her way up through the England youth teams. There is no doubting Bronze’s credentials having won 2 WSL titles with Liverpool and the 2014 PFA player of the year award which will aide her cause for a spot at the World Cup. In her favour too is the fact that Bronze played a lot of the qualifying campaign so would be considered above a number of other options. The only factor which may stop her from going would be fitness having just returned from injury, however if she can prove it I’m sure Sampson will pick her. Verdict: Only fitness would stop her, I would have a down as almost a certainty to go to Canada. Alex Greenwood Greenwood at 21 would be one of the youngest members of the squad should Sampson select her. A graduate from the renowned Everton centre of excellence, Alex has worked her way up through the ranks and established herself as the clubs main left back in 2011 and earned PFA young player of the year in 2012. Greenwood is relative new to the senior international setup having made her debut in 2014 while at Everton, but due to the clubs relegation she moved to Notts County to remain in WSL 1. Would rival Stokes for the starting birth at left-back and should definitely be there. Verdict: If not a starter, a back-up to the left-back position, but either way Greenwood will be going. Gemma Bonner Lucy Bronze’s defence partner during their WSL title winning seasons with Liverpool proved vital to the clubs success in maintaining clean sheets and gave England manager Mark Sampson a readymade centre-back pairing. However now Bronze has moved to Manchester City, Bonner has a new defence partner, nevertheless will maintain the connection they built up over the couple of seasons they spent together at Liverpool. Like many of the other candidates Bonner has experience despite her young age and is captain of her club meaning Sampson has another leader amongst his ranks to select from. Verdict: Played her part in qualifying so would think that her selection would be a non-brainer. Casey Stoney With over 100 caps and 6 goals for her Country, Stoney has masses of experience in the game and was captain of England under the previous regime. She has played at every major tournament since 2005 (European Championships and World Cup’s), so would be worth taking even if Stoney is just there to act as a mentor to the younger members of the squad. Furthermore her individual honours are second to none having won the Premier division twice when it was the top tier, three FA Cups and four League Cups. In 2008 Stoney also won FA International player of the year award, thus highlighting how highly rated she is in the game. If Sampson does select her I can’t see her being in the first eleven, but a good reserve to have. Verdict: Injury and fitness may play a part but if Sampson wants experience look no further than Stoney. Anita Asante The defender who can also play in midfield, has won all major honours in England with the exception of the Women’s Super League, although she did win the Premier division when that was the top tier. Another player full of experience who too has spent a few years in the United States which adds to her credentials. Along with her spell in the States, Asante played at the London 2012 Olympics so can handle playing in front of a big crowd. Should Sampson take her to Canada, Asante will be looking to add to her 70 caps she currently has. Verdict: Being experienced and versatile may favour her as she looks to gain a place on what would be her second World Cup. Claire Rafferty An outsider for the team perhaps, but did make the most recent England squad against China. Rafferty’s international career to date has been plagued by injuries having only made just over a hand full of appearances, although she did make the Team GB team for the London Olympics in 2012, so she does have some big game experience. England manager Sampson would also take note of Rafferty’s recent form for club side Chelsea, who currently sit top of the league having won all 4 games. Verdict: Can force her way in and her versatility may help her (full-back & winger), however she made just miss out. A late push
Dunia Susi Earned her way into the team shortly after Mark Sampson took charge of the reigns after impressive form for Notts County last season. However she has dropped out of the team recently due to injury. In her favour Susi can play defence or attack meaning a spurt in in form could give Sampson a selection headache ahead of naming his squad. Amy Turner One play who’s seen her stock rise rapidly having been ever present for her club side, Notts County over the past number of seasons. Her form has also seen her nominated for PFA young player of the year so there’s no doubting her quality. Turner made her debut at this year’s Cyprus Cup and has impressed, Sampson. Her versatility to play anywhere in the back line may help her case, but she’s down the pecking order. Jemma Rose Rose who has represented England at under 17, 19 and 23 levels is an outsider to go to Canada this summer, however given certain defensive injuries there is still a number of games left for Rose to impress in and earn a late call up. Sampson may opt for Rose as she has plenty of international pedigree, despite only being 23 years of age. Furthermore she been in a number of squads since Sampson took the helm and not forgetting he did manage Rose at Bristol Academy. A slight chance to go but should the others be fit I feel she may just miss out.
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Intro With the World Cup in Canada fast approaching we take a look at which players will make Mark Sampson’s squad ahead of when the ladies board the plane in June. Firstly, lets analyse the goalkeeping situation England have which looks reasonably set in stone regarding who’s getting a boarding pass. Looking at England’s recent friendlies 3 goalkeepers were selected which is the norm for any 23 player squad on the football international scene. Karen Bardsley of Manchester City, Siobhan Chamberlin of Arsenal and Carly Telford of Notts County have all been regulars in the team for a while and are all even more assured of their place after the retirement of Rachel Brown-Finnis last year who rivalled the other three for a place in the team. However should either Bardsley, Chamberlin or Telford suffer an injury there are a couple of others who could step into the breach with the young duo of Birmingham City's Rebecca Spencer or Mary Earps of Bristol Academy. So that’s a brief overview of the potential candidates, now let’s have a look at them in more detail. Karen Bardsley The 30-year-old originally from California, America is expected to be England’s number 1 keeper for this summer’s World Cup given the experience she has in previous tournaments. Bardsley has had a “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” kind of career due to playing in a variety of Countries. Bardsley counts America, Sweden and England in the Countries she has played in. Regarding her chances for selection Bardsley has been ever present at England’s last few major tournament (World Cup & Euro’s) so is very reliable when called upon and her experience is increasingly important given the young age of the backline that appears to be going to Canada compared with previous tournaments. She’s been Engalnd’s number since 2011 taking over from Rachel Brown-Finnis and this year marks 10 years since she made her debut for the Country, so would be quite fitting to go. Verdict: A shoe in to go been number 1 for most of qualifying the only thing that would keep her at home is injury. Siobhan Chamberlin Another keeper with vast experience between the sticks which could prove crucial if England are to go far in Canada. However I would be very surprised if Chamberlin was to become first choice given Bardsley has played the majority of qualifiers, coupled with the fact that Chamberlin is currently second choice at Arsenal behind Irish International Emma Byrne. Nevertheless I expect her to be on the plane as having another experienced goalkeeper in the ranks will be key to any team’s success. The only thing that may let her down as briefly touched on is lack of game time for Arsenal, as Mark Sampson may opt to take one of the lesser experienced goalies along to prepare them for future tournaments. Although I see this scenario very unlikely. Verdict: Only a change in strategy would see Chamberlin not board the plane. 90% she will be in the team. Carly Telford At 27 years of age and having played in a number of Countries Telford is another keeper with years of experience behind her and would be ready to step up to the number 1 spot for Canada or after it should Bardsley or Chamberlin retire. One thing that Telford has going in her favour is regular first team football at Notts County as well as her form which has been nothing short of exceptional. During the 2014 WSL season Carly was part of a Notts backline that had the best defensive record in the league conceding only 8 goals and keeping 6 clean sheets out of a total of 14 games. Telford also has an impressive penalty saving record having saved a penalty away at Birmingham last season as well as recently saving another one in the same fixture this season. So if a match went to penalties then Telford may be called upon. Verdict: Can pack her bags now as she’s surely going to be named in the team. Rebecca Spencer The young Birmingham stopper is an outsider to be on the plane to Canada and what Mark Sampson would consider as his 4th choice option. Despite being only 24, Spencer has gained valuable experience in her senior career which began nearly 10 years in 2006 at Arsenal after coming through the ranks there. Since then she has had a couple of loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Gillingham respectively, before leaving the female Gunners permanently to embark on a season in France playing for top tier side ASJ Soyaux. This move to France alone would have given Spencer crucial experience to set her up for a promising career. After one year she moved back to England and played for Birmingham before returning to Arsenal only to be understudy and then moving back to Birmingham where she has established herself as one the best keepers in the Women’s Super League. Verdict: Unlikely that Spencer will receive the call from Sampson, however an injury to any of the 3 above and she will be going to Canada. Mary Earps A very highly rated keeper, however this tournament will come too soon for Earps given the experience Mark Sampson has to select from. The 22-year-old has already excelled in the game having worked her way up through the England youth setup and currently plays for the Under-23’s team. One factor Earps has going in her favour is the Champions League experience she has already having played for Bristol Academy in some big games including beating Barcelona which saw which saw them advance to the quarter finals of the competition. She also played in the competition at the earlier stages of the 2014 addition for her former club Birmingham city. So Mark Sampson does have a tough decision to make but knows he will be able to call upon on her should he have to. Verdict: A tournament too soon for Earps who will have her sights firmly set on the 2019 World Cup in France, however she would be capable going as understudy to gain first hand International experience. In reality 5th choice. Switzerland’s not known for its women’s football but that could be about to change after the international team qualified for their first ever World cup back in June, with the World Cup taking place later this year in Canada. Women’s football as a whole has grown massively over the last 15 years with a number of Football Association’s from around the world, specifically in Europe putting more money into the women’s setup, with the Swiss FA making extra effort in developing the ladies game over the last few years. This is proven with the Swiss FA giving the Swiss women’s football team their own training base which has been moved to Biel from central Switzerland and the women’s side will play their games at the new stadium in Biel (Canton of Bern) once complete. Furthermore the Swiss youngster’s hoping to be footballers will go to school in Biel, meaning they will benefit from education side as well as the football training side. This just underlines the Swiss FA’s commitment to improving the game within the country. Built on strong foundations The foundations for the Country’s recent success were laid a couple of years ago when in 2012 Switzerland appointed former German international Martina Voss as coach. Voss has built on the previous regime set by the previous coach (Beatrice Von Siebenthal) and inspired the team to qualification for Canada. Under Voss Switzerland achieved their highest ever FIFA ranking in June this year (19th) a spot which they continue to hold. As well as coaching the national team she will also be responsible for the Credit Suisse academy, thus ensuring new talents keep on emerging in years to come. Furthermore the qualification has seen the emergence of some young attacking talent such as Ramona Bachmann (currently plying her trade at Rosengard in Sweden) and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (pictured) (at FFC Frankfurt) who have both chipped in with a number of goals along with experienced Lyon midfielder Lara Dickenmann, who finished the leading goal scorer of the group with 10 goals. However the defence has been equally impressive with the only goal conceded coming against group favourites Denmark in a 1-1 draw. Overall view The Swiss were very impressive in qualifying after scoring 53 and only conceding 1 goal as well as remaining unbeaten. On top of this they completed qualifying with a near perfect record after winning 9 and drawing the other at home to Denmark. Qualifying for their first World Cup is a great achievement, one which I doubt would have been possible without the leadership of Voss who has instilled belief in the team and helped them achieve their potential. In my opinion I believe the Swiss can be very dangerous next year in Canada and cause a lot of team’s problems especially with their attacking prowess, not forgetting their extremely solid defence. This was evident in the friendly against the USA last August, as despite losing 4-1 they did cause the current World number 1’s plenty of problems and will be able to learn from this result to make them better prepared for next year. The goal for the Swiss in that game was scored by Crnogorcevic from the penalty spot. Making a prediction for the finals I feel that the Swiss could achieve a ¼ final spot in what could be the toughest World Cup yet, but I’m sure they would just be happy to get out of the group. The futures definitely a bright one for this small nation. |
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