The Lionesses to Look Out For at the Women’s World Cup
Much has been made of England?s supposed transition from perennial newbies to World Cup favourites. The women?s game is having its moment and England?s team, the Lionesses, are tipped for success at the Women’s World Cup in France.
Confident, courageous and ground breakers, the Lionesses are made up of both current and former Everton players. So, in the wake of England?s 2-1 win over Scotland, we thought we?d take a closer look at Everton?s Lionesses.
Lucy Bronze | RB
Born in Berwick, right on the border between England and Scotland, Lyon?s Lucy Bronze is widely regarded as the world?s best right-back and, arguably, one of the best players in the world.
Bronze started her career at Sunderland before winning a sports scholarship to the University of North Carolina in America ? which was seen as the pinnacle of the women?s game in 2009. Bronze played 24 times for the North Carolina Tar Heels before making the move to Everton.
Bronze stayed in the North West for almost a decade, playing for both Everton and Liverpool before moving to Manchester. Indeed, the right-back was at the last Women’s World Cup in Canada, but her status has changed markedly since that tournament. Not only is she now an important player, but Bronze is also a two-times Champions League winner at the best team in the world. Her stock could hardly be higher.
For the Lionesses, the ex-Everton player is their ace in the deck.
Toni Duggan | ST
We must admit, Lucy Bronze?s connection to Everton is somewhat tenuous; Toni Duggan, however, was Everton through-and-through. And, as recently as last week, a huge mural was painted of her on Bold Street.
Duggan began her career at Everton who, at the time, were the best team in the country. She broke into the team in the 2007-08 season and scored the winning extra-time goal in the League Cup semi-final.
Over the next few years, Duggan won numerous awards including the FA Women?s Young Player of the Year in 2009, the England Women?s Under-23 Player of the Year in 2012 and the North West Female Player of the Year in 2013.
After seven years at Goodison Park and four years at Manchester City, Duggan moved to FC Barcelona Femeni where she played against Lucy Bronze in the 2019 Champions League Final.
She is expected to lead the line for the Lionesses this summer and is priced at 20/1 to finish top goalscorer.
Nikita Parris | Inside ST
Now, this girl is special.
Born in Toxteth, Nikita Parris joined Everton at age 14. She made her senior team debut in 2010 as a 17-year-old and, despite Everton?s relegation in 2014, Parris was simply sensational, earning a move to Manchester City where she linked up with Duggan.
Dynamic, quick, unpredictable and Beckham-esc, Parris is England?s main woman and is seen as integral to anything the Lionesses do. Plus, in 2019, Parris scored against America in the final of the She Believes Cup.
Next season, Parris is set to link up with Lucy Bronze at the best team in the world: Olympique Lyon.
Looking for a place to watch the Lionesses in action? Check out our guide to the best places to watch football in Liverpool
Jill Scott | CM
Jill Scott?s career strangely mirrors Lucy Bronzes? in that, they both started their careers at Sunderland before moving to Manchester City via Everton. Scott also won the FA Women?s Premier League Cup in 2008 and the FA Women?s Cup in 2010.
Her club career aside, Scott has been the rock in the Lionesses midfield since 2006, making her debut against the Netherlands in August.
Since 2006, she has reached the quarter final and semi-final stage of two World Cups and is therefore hoping to go one step further in 2019.
Alex Greenwood | LB
Liverpool-born Alex Greenwood joined Everton at the tender age of 8. She made 38 appearances for Everton across four years before playing for some of the Blues? biggest rivals, namely Liverpool and Manchester United.
Her International career, however, is somewhat more stable. Greenwood captained the Lionesses at youth level before making her debut for the senior team under Mark Sampson in 2014. Four years ago, in Canada, Greenwood was the youngest member of the squad, winning a bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup.
Now, however, Greenwood is a senior member of the team and is expected to nurture and support the younger Lionesses.
Honourable Mentions
Current Everton players Chloe Kelly and Gabrielle George are on the standby list having failed to make the 23-player squad for the Women’s World Cup while ex-Everton captain, Phil Neville, is the England manager.
Neville played 242 times for Everton and is hoping to lead the Lionesses to glory in France.
So, that concludes our look at Everton?s current and former Lionesses. Fingers crossed England?s Women can bring the trophy home this month.
And as The Dixie Dean Hotel looks set to open on 5 July, take a look inside our new restaurant: The No9, which is dedicated to Dixie Dean and the Everton Jersey he proudly wore.
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