Beth’s ready for England chance! Chelsea striker hungry to finally step on to Wembley pitch for Lionesses clash against Northern Ireland after bench disappointment two years ago
- Beth England is keen to make her mark for the Lionesses at Wembley
- Chelsea forward scored three goals in two World Cup qualifiers from the bench
- She is expected to be a sub versus Northern Ireland but is desperate to come on
- ‘It’d be a very special moment for me if I was able to get on the pitch,’ she said
Beth England says playing at Wembley for the Lionesses would be a ‘special moment’ after the disappointment of being left on the bench two years ago.
The Chelsea striker was an unused substitute for England’s 3-0 defeat by Germany in 2019 and is desperate for a chance to play for her country when they take on Northern Ireland at the national stadium on Saturday.
England is likely to start on the sidelines once again with Ellen White, who is three goals away from matching Kelly Smith’s all-time scoring record, expected to start up front. But the forward is hopeful this time she will be given a chance to make an impact.
Bethany England is desperate to play for her country at Wembley against Northern Ireland
England has scored three goals in the Lionesses’ last two World Cup qualifiers from the bench
‘It was a tough time last time we went there and played Germany,’ said England. ‘It was quite disheartening not to be able to get on the pitch but equally the team did the best they could at that time.
‘To be given a second chance to potentially be on that pitch on Saturday is really exciting for me. I’m always forever proud to wear the badge.
‘It’s very funny because everybody with my name England on the back being able to have England on an England shirt at Wembley where the home of football is, it would be a very special moment for me if I was able to get on the pitch.’
Ellen White is set to start for England up front as she continues to chase Kelly Smith’s record
England has had to work hard to hold down a place in a fiercely competitive Chelsea attack
The likes of Sam Kerr, Pernille Harder and Fran Kirby have provided England with stiff competition at Chelsea and the forward believes that experience has prepared her well to compete with White at international level.
‘It’s no secret that our front line at Chelsea is a very difficult one to break into. We’ve got some exceptional players at the club and it’s great to be in and amongst these players every day.
‘Being able to train with such high quality players is always going to enhance anybody’s game. It is obviously tough, every player wants to be playing every single minute.
‘When you look here at the likes of Ellen and everything she’s achieved for England is phenomenal, for anyone to challenge that is really tough. All I can do is keep working hard, seeing which areas of my game I can improve on and when I get my chance, do my job.’
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