Onto to the midfield which is the most settled part of the field with the selection in most games pretty much straight forward, due to the amount of attacking players in the team (covered in next week’s blog), meaning the midfield is sparse in terms of selection. Nevertheless they have contributed massively to England’s qualification campaign with assists and goals coming from the likes of Birmingham’s Karen Carney and Arsenal’s Jordan Nobbs. The dilemma England Coach Mark Sampson will face during selection is getting the right balance between the defence minded midfielders and the attack minded. So below are the contenders up for making the cut. Karen Carney The Birmingham born international has masses of experience having starred in the Champions League as well as playing in American, not to mention her 100 caps for England. Carney’s experience will be in important for the team in the tournament in the summer. The advantage of taking Carney is that she can play in a variety of positions including midfield, winger and striker. Still only 27, Carney is in her prime and her trickery unlocks doors for her team mates. Verdict: Nailed on selection as England needs Karen Carney. Jordan Nobbs The Arsenal midfield maestro has risen to prominence in recent years having firmly established herself in both her club side as well as her Country. The 22-year-old is arguably one of the best midfielders in the Country having started off at Sunderland before moving to Arsenal where she is currently forging a midfield partnership with new signing and Spanish international Victoria Losada. Nobbs is a regular for England too having impressed Mark Sampson since taking the reins and she has been rewarded with the vice-captaincy meaning she will surely be going to the World Cup this summer. Verdict: 100% she’ll be going, no questions asked. Fara Williams Williams has a rags to riches story having been homeless for six years during her early years as a footballer. She is England’s most capped player having received nearly 140 caps for her Country, making her debut back in 2001 at the age of 17. The Liverpool midfielder has won back to back WSL 1 titles and is one of the most consistent players within league. This could most probably be Williams’s last tournament and would be wanting to leave a lasting impression as she graces the World Cup stage. One thing that’s guaranteed when she plays is a 100% commitment. Verdict: Surely on the plane. Jill Scott The former Everton player, now Manchester City like many of her midfield counterparts has huge amounts of experience having made her England debut back in 2006. Her goal scoring record from midfield for her Country reads decent as well too having scored 13 in 90 caps, thus outlining her ability to get forward. Scott also in one of only a few England internationals to have scored for team GB during the London Olympics in 2012. Whether the manager has been Hope Powell or Mark Sampson, Scot has always been round the England and I don’t see that changing. Verdict: Pretty sure she will be announced in the team Jo Potter Only recently forced her way back into the England she does have a load of experience having been one of the central figures at the heart of Birmingham’s league campaign in 2014 that saw them just miss out on the title. She did however make her England debut over 10 years ago, back in 2004 in a friendly before missing out on selection for Euro 2005. It would be fair to say injuries have plagued her international career having to withdraw from a number of squads. After 7 years out of the international wilderness she was recalled last October and did score her first England goal in 9 years as they beat Montenegro 10-0. Verdict: May miss out due to the high amount competition in the squad. Jade Moore Like Potter, Moore is another Birmingham player to force her way into the England team on the back of the Blues impressive 2014 campaign that saw them reach the Champions League semi-final that season. Moore has won silverware already in her career when the Leeds team she was part of in 2010 won the League Cup, highlighting that she was key for them despite being 19. Now 24-years-old she has worked her way into Sampson’s plans recently but there will be plenty of competition for the place on the plane to Canada. Verdict: Close call, may miss out but wouldn’t want to call it. Katie Chapman The 32-year-old has played for all the major London based clubs (including Fulham, Charlton, Arsenal and currently Chelsea) during her playing career stretching back to her debut in 2001. Chapman has only recently forced her way back into the England fold having been a regular up until 2011, but put her International career on hold due to family care issues. England coach Sampson recalled her this March and rightly so having impressed for Chelsea through her playmaking and leadership skills that has seen the London club rise to the top of the WSL 1 where they currently sit. Chapman in the past has won 2 FA World player of the year awards, thus underlining her positive influence she has on her teammates. Verdict: It will be a close call, as it depends on how many midfielders Sampson wants to take, however her experience will be invaluable.
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