Given that there is currently a petition running to rename one of England’s most famous landmarks as “the Ellen White Cliffs of Dover”, there can be little doubt about the Lionesses’ record goalscorer’s legacy.
The Manchester City striker reached her half-century of goals against North Macedonia earlier this year, overtaking Kelly Smith with a hat-trick that was just reward for the ultimate goal-poacher with the second-highest number of caps in the current squad.
In that light, White’s place as England’s guaranteed starter at No 9 should not be under threat – but her recent absence through Covid opened a door for Alessia Russo that many considered already ajar.
The 23-year-old scored nine goals and registered four assists for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League last season, White’s unusually low tally of four and four respectively perhaps a reflection of how City’s front line has evolved to become more reliant on the pace of Lauren Hemp.
More from Football
i's guide to Women's Euro 2022 groups - what to expect from all 16 teams and full fixture list05 July, 2022
EFL to live stream every game played during the World Cup, including Saturday 3pm kick-offs05 July, 2022
Men, please don't ruin a special Euro 2022 with sexist hate and online abuse04 July, 2022Russo is an aerial threat too, while Beth England – not having to play second fiddle to Sam Kerr as she does at club level – is also in contention to replace White going forward. A legend she may be, but she is also 33.
Sarina Wiegman has called on her attackers to “be more ruthless”, alarmed at the poor finishing against Belgium that was masked by three late goals that were largely thanks to her super-subs. The question is whether she views Euro 2022 as the moment to be ruthless herself; she gave Steph Houghton every chance to be fit for the tournament, but ultimately made no bones about the fact the former captain was not ready.
A similar approach with White is not needed just yet, but it is indicative of an encroaching changing of the guard that the question is being asked.
Russo has done her best to answer it, excelling after coming off the bench in the 5-1 win over the Netherlands and then opening the scoring after starting against Switzerland. She is used to shouldering responsibility in United’s attack, and just as well since Wiegman’s possession football has altered what England require from their main centre-forward.
United boss Marc Skinner believes Russo, who won WSL Player of the Month in March, has “developed exactly how we thought she would this season” and that she is still on track despite a hamstring injury which required surgery and threatened to curb her progress.
England Women’s record goalscorers
- 1st: Ellen White (2010 – present) – 50
- 2nd: Kelly Smith (1995 – 2015) – 46
- 3rd: Kerry Davis (1982 – 1998) – 44
- =4th: Karen Walker (1988 – 2003) – 40
- =4th: Fara Williams (2001 – 2019) – 40
- 6th: Hope Powell (1983 – 1988) – 35
- 7th: Eni Aluko (2004 – 2017) – 33
- 8th: Karen Carney (2005 – 2019) – 32
- 9th: Gillian Coultard (1981 – 2000) – 30
- 10th: Marieanne Spacey (1984 – 2001) – 28
Yet with pressure to accommodate Beth Mead too, Wiegman is reluctant to make England too top-heavy – but she will also be conscious that all three of their warm-up matches were goalless at half-time. There was no need to panic, as the Lionesses scored 12 goals after the interval, but this is not an attack that is consistently firing on all cylinders.
The World Cup qualifiers were strangely deceptive on that front; 20-0 wins over Latvia are not particularly instructive.
White, at least, can fall back on her record at major tournaments, with six goals at the 2019 World Cup when England reached the semi-finals. For all she has achieved, the transformation of England under Wiegman means that their greatest ever striker goes into the European Championship with something to prove.
The Williamson conundrum
White is not the only player whose role is being weighed up; while captain Leah Williamson can be sure of a starting spot, debate continues about whether she should be employed in midfield.
Williamson’s ability on the ball, rather than her defensive strengths, is what has propelled her to the forefront of the Wiegman revolution. Indeed her move back into a role higher up the pitch contributed to a goal against Belgium.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has publicly questioned it, however, insisting the 25-year-old should be operating at the back.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/QWsKMae
Post a Comment