KATIE CHAPMAN is backing Millie Bright and Lauren James to make their mark at the World Cup with England facing Haiti today.
Their group D fixture will see them play their first game in the tournament today under boss Sarina Wiegman.
England’s clash with their opponents will see them back in official international action for the first time since drawing 0-0 with Portugal on home soil earlier this month.
With the team winless in two games since their Women’s Finalissima defeat of Brazil in March, the Lionesses are eager to get their World Cup campaign off to a flier.
Chapman, 41, who retired from the game in 2018, played with Bright for three years at Chelsea.
The ex-Lioness skippered a Blues team which featured the centre-back to an FA Cup win and WSL title triumph eight years ago
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Chapman, who also lifted the FA Cup in 2018, believes Bright’s leadership and James’ potential will be key for Wiegman’s side.
The former midfielder, who has 94 England caps, told SunSport: “Millie was unbelievable in the Euros.
“What a big player, a big personality and a great leader to have in your team.
“She reminds me very much of me, and I love her to pieces.
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“Lauren is new onto the scene and Chelsea have done a great job with her with managing her (past) injuries and getting her onto the pitch.
“She’s showing her potential. She’s a player that you can put on the pitch that can change your game for sure.
“I’m excited to see her play in the World Cup.”
Chapman, who is an ambassador for KickX, a hybrid indoor football arena opening at Addlestone One today in Surrey, believes England have a solid chance of going all the way.
England are missing quite a few big names but it gives other players an opportunity to step up at the World Cup
Katie Chapman
This is despite their squad missing the services of Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, all key figures in their Euros triumph last summer.
Chapman, whose playing career began at 14 at Millwall, adds: “They’re missing quite a few big names and players have retired.
“But it also gives other players the opportunity to step up and take their moment within a World Cup.
“It’s amazing to be there and to represent your country.
“It’s going to give those younger players (in the squad) an opportunity.
“There are quite a few playing in their first World Cup and what an opportunity (for them) to have.
“Sarina (Wiegman) manages the team in the right way.
“They all look quite relaxed out there in Australia which is great.”
Chapman’s launch of KickX, which she describes as all-age inclusive and offering a mix of football-themed games to play, comes nine days after the publication of a landmark women’s game review.
The review, chaired by her former Chelsea and England team-mate Karen Carney, has called for a raft of changes to women’s football in England.
This includes finding a strategic partner to invest in improving pathways and academy structures to help develop young talent.
Chapman said: “Karen is right. There is a lot to be done lower down in the game.
“There’s a lot to be done at a grassroots level as well.
“To be an athlete, and to be a professional athlete, you need to train.
“You need to be a full time athlete, you need to be able to do that and you need to be paid to be able to do that at a reasonable level.
“As she said, there’s a lot to be done filtering down from the top flight of the women’s game.
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“But as we raise the profile in the game, that’s hopefully our next step to look at.”
England’s match against Haiti in the Women’s World Cup can be watched live on ITV1 and the BBC at 10:30 BST
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
