ELLA TOONE is loving life in Australia having “found herself” Down Under ahead of England revving up for the World Cup.
The forward, 23, whose stunning chip helped the Lionesses triumph at last year’s Euros, sees herself as a player who goes at a “hundred miles an hour”.
But since arriving at England’s camp Toone, who has 32 senior caps, has enjoyed finding ways to balance intense training with switching off mentally from football.
The Manchester United and Lioness ace said: “I’ve really found myself here. I never normally wake up early as I’m a proper sleeper.
“But I woke up early the other day – six o’clock – I went and saw the sunrise.
“I absolutely love walking along the beach and the other day I went into the sea.
Read More Football Stories
“Luckily the girls got me some goggles as I can’t go in with my eyelashes (on).
“I was under the waves every day and I thought ‘wow this is me’.
“Going in the sea has definitely really made me a changed woman.”
Like her team-mates Toone has been finding ways to make the most of her downtime away from preparation for England’s Group D opener against Haiti in five days’ time.
Most read in Football
The Wigan-born Lioness, who has netted 16 goals since her senior international debut in September 2020, enjoys reading autobiographies in her spare time.
She adds: “I don’t actually read novels, just autobiographies. I’m reading Jamie Vardy’s autobiography at the minute.
“I always say it (that I’m going to) but now I’ve actually started (to take up) reading more often so that’s nice.”
Last summer saw Toone play in a major tournament for the first time in a senior career which began with a two-year spell at Blackburn Rovers in 2015 before moves to Man City and Man United.
The WSL star was among nine aces taking part in their first major international contest for the Lionesses.
Her goal-scoring display at last year’s Euros final at Wembley saw her evolve from a promising England talent to a tournament-winning performer.
Toone opened the scoring against finalists Germany in front of a record crowd a Wembley with a lofted second-half strike.
And the forward is eager to help England’s new major contest debutants with six included in head coach Wiegman’s squad.
Toone adds: “Going into this tournament off the back of my first major tournament with England, I’ve just got more experience now.
“I learned so much about myself at the Euros.
“I’ve come into this having a bit more experience and just trying to offer others that experience.
“I think I’ve come into this tournament the same as (I did) at the Euros.
“That’s giving my best, enjoying every moment and making sure that I work hard in training.
“I want to give everything I can every time I put the shirt on for England.”
England’s clash with Haiti could see Toone make her World Cup debut for her national side.
The match at Brisbane Stadium will kick off at 10:30 am UK time this Saturday (July 22).
And Sarina Wiegman’s team have been a bit goal shy of late having gone scoreless in the last three games.
Having Toone is confident the team will find their shooting boots and hopes to achieve her dream of scoring in the tournament.
She adds: “We’re very confident and we know we’ve got a lot of goal scorers in the group so we’re definitely creating those chances.
“It’s now about making sure we put them in the back of the net.
“I manifest a lot of things before I play games. Half of them never happen but I’m having fun in my brain.
Read More on The Sun
“I’ve dreamt about scoring a goal in the World Cup since I was a little girl and I’ve dreamt about scoring at this one.
“As for the celebrations (side of things) I have absolutely no idea (what I’ll do).”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
