As the goals flew in during England’s record-breaking 20-0 win in the World Cup qualifier against Latvia, you had to feel sorry for the part-timers from the Baltic.
A win this big underlines the gulf between the haves and have-nots in women’s football, and it was sobering to see the Latvian women’s expressions as they trudged off the pitch. “These are not competitive games,” said Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman with candour, adding that a 20-0 scoreline wasn’t good for the game as a whole.
England were ruthless. Their six group wins have now seen 53 goals scored without reply. Without doubt, Chelsea and Arsenal will be more closely matched when the two top sides in the domestic league meet at Wembley in front of 50,000 fans on Sunday at the Covid-delayed FA Cup final.
With Beth Mead and Millie Bright on opposing sides, will it be harder for the Arsenal forward to score? Will Jess Carter, on as a sub and finding the net during the rout, neutralise midfielder and compatriot Jordan Nobbs?
And will Beth England have a role? Increasingly marginalised at Kingsmeadow as Pernille Harder, Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby and Lauren James compete for front spots, there is a growing expectation that she will have to leave Chelsea to secure regular football and rebuild her match sharpness and confidence.
Though she positioned herself in the six-yard box for much of England’s annihilation of Latvia, her two second-half goals were eclipsed by United’s young striker Alessia Russo, who came on as a sub and scored an 11-minute hat-trick.
Without regular starts in the WSL for Chelsea, insiders are asking if Reading, Villa or Everton wouldn’t be a better home for the Yorkshirewoman, to remain in Wiegman’s reckoning ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
An important decision is looming for Beth as January’s transfer window approaches.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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