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    Millie Bright opens up on ‘extra pressure’ on England at the World Cup and ‘ massive honour’ of leading Lionesses

    MILLIE BRIGHT is a huge believer of dreaming big and has a tattoo of a dreamcatcher on her left arm as a reminder. The depiction is inspired by her mother telling her to ‘dream big’ before every game with the England skipper eyeing World Cup glory. 
    Millie Bright and the Lionesses fly to Australia today ahead of the start of Women’s World Cup there and in New Zealand on July 20Credit: Getty
    Bright says being given the captain’s armband before the tournament had not crossed her mindCredit: Getty
    England will play Canada in a behind-closed-doors warm-up fixture in Australia on July 14Credit: Alamy
    Football dreams don’t come any bigger than attempting to lead the Lionesses to their first World Cup win in the Fifa contest’s 32-year history. 
    And Bright, 29, recognises there are huge expectations of the team following their Euros triumph over Germany at Wembley last July. 
    The Chelsea centre-back said: “There was always going to be extra pressure. 
    “This will be the biggest Women’s World Cup so far, the quality has gone up, the expectation goes up. 
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    “We have to keep two feet on the ground and know the challenge ahead will be bigger than any other tournament.”
    Bright and her team-mates jetted off to Australia today before the tournament’s start there and in New Zealand on July 20. 
    The England defender will captain the side in the absence of Leah Williamson.
    The Arsenal star’s hopes of leading the Lionesses’ charge were cruelly dashed by a knee ligament injury she suffered in April.
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    Bright added: “(I’m) Absolutely gutted (for Leah).  
    “Straight away I was just in shock that she had suffered such a severe injury. 
    “I don’t think the captaincy crossed my mind at all, hand on heart. 
    “Then I got my injury so my head was just fully on my rehab and trying to make the selection.
    “That (the captaincy) was probably the last thing I thought of.
    “You don’t want to see any player go through that injury. There are too many on that topic at the minute.
    “We’ve had check-ins, to make sure Leah is alright – when you go through that, you need a team around you. 
    “She’s also checked how I’ve been getting on, we’ve stayed in touch for sure.”
    This year’s World Cup will be missing the talents of a number of top stars in addition to Williamson. 
    They include England and Netherlands forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema and USA and Chelsea star Catarina Macario. 
    The recent spate of injuries to scores of players at the highest levels of the women’s game is an ongoing concern.
    And it has led to debate around match scheduling. 
    This summer will be the second in a row in which England’s aces have played in a major tournament following busy domestic seasons.
    The team are also due to compete in Uefa’s inaugural Women’s Nations League which kicks off in September. 
    Bright said: “I’ve been doing it for several years, when you’re doing back-to-back tournaments it’s hard, when you’re playing every single minute for your clubs. 
    “As a player it [burnout] is always in the back of your mind; after the World Cup we’ve then got a return to playing in the league.
    “There is work to be done and we are aware of the situation. 
    “A lot of people within the game have shown real concern and been very outspoken about it.
    “That in itself creates conversation. It is about everyone coming together to make sure the schedule works.
    “There is still work to be done, making sure we can compete in every competition and do back-to-back tournaments.
    “But we are not robots, we need time to recover, to perform for the fans, for our clubs and countries, we want to be at the highest level.
    “For now, we are just focusing on the summer.”
    England face Haiti in their tournament opener on July 22 followed by clashes with Denmark and China in Group D.
    And Bright will captain a squad featuring six World Cup debutants including rising stars Lauren James, Esme Morgan and Katie Robinson. 
    Bright added: “I feel really grateful to be selected, let alone to be captaining the girls, it is a massive honour. 
    “But for me nothing changes, I stay the same, I’d like to think people see the same Millie.
    “I always lead for the team, that’s just natural to me. 
    “I expect standards from the group, I see myself as the driver because I am so competitive.
    Bright wants England’s starlets to have the support they need to “play their best football” at the World CupCredit: Getty
    “You have to keep pushing to be better year in, year out.
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    “You have younger players at a first tournament, you have to make sure they have everything they need. 
    “We just want them to be excited to go out and have their best summer, play their best football.” More

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    Alessia Russo is ready to get ‘stuck in’ with Gunners after sealing stunning Arsenal move before World Cup

    ALESSIA RUSSO hopes to rack up silverware wins with Arsenal after announcing her stunning Gunners move before the World Cup. The England forward, 24, sealed her switch today becoming the WSL side’s biggest signing this summer before jetting to Australia tomorrow.
    Alessia Russo has become one of Arsenal’s biggest signings this summer after joining the club as a free agentCredit: Getty
    The England forward will wear the WSL side’s number 23 shirtCredit: Getty
    Russo’s move following the end of a three-year Man United spell will see her link-up with England team-mate Beth MeadCredit: Getty
    Arsenal’s signing of the player comes just under a month on from her exit as a free agent from Manchester United after three years. 
    It also follows an alleged record-breaking £500,000 January bid the Gunners had rejected by the Red Devils before their summer swoop.  
    Russo, whose contract length has not been disclosed, said: “I want to win trophies – as does everyone at this club.
    “I can’t wait to get stuck in and grow as a player – it’s a new challenge and a new environment.
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    “The growth of the women’s game has been incredible, but particularly at a club like Arsenal.
    “The sell-out against Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium last season was fantastic, and I’m just really excited to be part of this club.”
    Russo, who made her senior club debut at Chelsea in 2016, made 59 appearances across all competitions for Man United, bagging 26 goals 
    One of her famous finishes on the domestic stage was a dramatic late Red Devils winner last November when United became the first WSL side to beat the Gunners at the Emirates. 
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    On Wednesday Russo will jet off with her England pals with the team heading to their training base on Australia’s Sunshine Coast ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti on July 22. 
    Before their journey former England skipper Faye White and ex-Lioness Rachel Yankey unveiled a giant farewell message from fans.
    Thousands of the notes from supporters were laid out in a park near Heathrow for Russo and her team-mates. 
    The ex-Arsenal aces spent Monday morning reading some of the messages gathered by snack firm KIND which they hope will be seen by England aces from the sky. 
    Russo’s move will see her join a stellar line-up of forwards at the Gunners that includes Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, Victoria Pelova and Katrine Kuhl.
    The club have also signed 29-year-old Canada international forward Cloe Lacasse.
    Of Russo’s move, former Arsenal captain White jokingly told SunSport: “I kind of think how is Jonas going to keep everyone happy? 
    “Russo is developing and has her best years ahead of her. 
    “It just shows her ambition as well even though Man United are building and it also shows the state of the game. 
    “In my day (when a player moved) it used to be about a manager you got on with who you thought was going to progress you the most. 
    “Nowadays it’s about that but it’s also the financial side, it’s the opportunities as well the hunt for success and winning trophies.” 
    Club boss Jonas Eidevall said:  “Alessia is one of the best forwards in the world and has significant potential to continue growing and improving. 
    “She has a proven track record of scoring goals in the WSL and at international level and we believe she will be a quality addition to our forward line.” 
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    Russo’s performances at last summer’s Euros saw her attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in EuropeCredit: Getty
    The Lioness has netted 11 goals in 21 senior international appearances.
    These include four during last summer’s Euros, helping the Lionesses win the tournament.  More

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    Lucy Bronze backs Lionesses to step things up for World Cup and hails Lauren James

    LUCY BRONZE aims to help Lauren James find her way with the forward shining for the Lionesses ahead of the World Cup. And the Barcelona ace vowed England will step it up in the tournament after their draw with Portugal.
    Lucy Bronze hit the woodwork for England against Portugal in their send-off clash before the World CupCredit: Getty
    Bronze says Lauren James is eager to learn with the forward set to play in a World Cup for the first time this summerCredit: Getty
    The Lionesses’ final test on home soil before the showpiece in Australia and New Zealand ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the home of MK Dons
    Four years ago the team lost a World Cup send-off clash to New Zealand
    However they battled their way to the semis in the 2019 contest before being beaten by the United States.
    Of England’s performance on Saturday, Bronze said: “In the second half we showed a big improvement. 
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    “We upped the tempo which is a good sign that we noticed we’re not doing what we should be and we can step it up.”
    Among the brighter moments for the Lionesses was Lauren James pulling the strings as a number 10 in the second half. 
    And Bronze is enjoying her blossoming right-flank partnership with the forward. 
    She adds: “LJ and I have a good relationship off the pitch as well.
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    “She’s eager to learn and for a player that’s so young and talented, people forget how much expectation there is on her.
    “Because I’m the experienced player, she wants to get me in the game. 
    “But I’m saying to her: ‘You’re the winger, you have it.’ It’s nice that she wants to get me involved. 
    “Give her space and she will score a goal. She’s still learning when to be selfish and when not to be. I’m just there to help her find her way.”
    Alongside James, Esme Morgan and Katie Robinson were among the tournament debutants who featured for boss Sarina Wiegman against Portugal.
    The trio will play in the World Cup for the first time in their careers after a pre-contest duel with Canada in Australia on July 14. 
    Bronze added: “The younger players who are the least experienced, Katie Robinson, Lauren and Esme, I thought all of them did really well (against Portugal) 
    “You don’t see the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
    “They are exciting and they don’t have fear. They slot in. They are used to doing it in the league and they do it for us now.
    “I went into the 2015 (World Cup) as a young player, not expecting to do much.
    Bronze reckons Esme Morgan and England’s other young stars are exciting to watchCredit: Getty
     “I ended up playing every single game, scoring goals and forced myself into the spotlight. “Anything can happen in the World Cup. 
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    “We saw that last year with Chloe (Kelly) in the Euros scoring the winner in a tournament that she played very few minutes in. 
    “There will be plenty of opportunities for people to shine and have their moments.” More

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    I used to do shifts pulling pints in a country pub to pay for football boots.. now I’m an Arsenal and England star

    BEFORE she cemented her status as an England legend, Lioness Beth Mead pulled pints at her local pub so that she could buy some football boots.The 28-year-old wrote her name in the history books last summer when she led England to Euro 2022 glory, picking up the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
    Before she became a professional footballer, Beth Mead worked in her local pubCredit: Getty
    The 28-year-old led England to Euro 2022 glory last summerCredit: PA
    She won the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awardCredit: PA
    But before she became a national hero, Mead worked a part-time job at the Fox and Hounds pub in Staithes, near Whitby.
    Last year, she told ITV: “I used to work Friday, Saturday. Sunday was double time behind the bar.
    “I was a waitress part time just to afford the boots.
    “I enjoyed working there and I got my boots in the end.”
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    Mead kicked off her career at Sunderland in 2011 and quickly became one of the club’s best players.
    She joined Arsenal in 2017 and has been with the Gunners ever since.
    Over the past year, Mead has enjoyed the highest of highs, but she has also endured awful lows.
    The winger was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in December following England’s historic European Championship victory.
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    She was also the 2022 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
    However, in January, Mead’s mother, June, tragically passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer.
    Speaking to The Guardian last month, Mead said: “When my mum was still alive, I had very bad moments of wanting to give up football and she picked me up and made me go on.
    “Obviously I lost that person, but then I had such an amazing group of people, friends, teammates, family around me that helped me get through.”
    Unfortunately, the winger is set to miss this year’s Women’s World Cup due to an ACL injury.
    She suffered the setback during a match against Manchester United in November last year, and although she has returned to light training, she was not deemed fit enough by Sarina Wiegman in May.
    Mead signed with Arsenal in 2017Credit: Getty
    Mead was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in DecemberCredit: PA More

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    Reading Women release THIRTEEN players after going part-time following relegation from WSL

    READING announced a mass exodus of players following Women’s Super League relegation as the club’s financial woes deepened.Thirteen stars, including six internationals, were released following the expiration of their contracts.
    Reading are set for a squad overhaul this summer following the departure of 13 senior playersCredit: PA
    Belgium midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet is among the players released by the Royals who are now a part-time sideCredit: AFP
    The departures come just three weeks after Royals CEO Dayong Pang said the team will go part-time following their relegation to the Women’s Championship in May.
    The majority leaving were members of Reading’s senior women’s squad who were managed by Kelly Chambers before her departure earlier this month. 
    They include goalkeeper Grace Moloney, highly-rated forward Deanne Rose and striker Amalie Eikeland, 27, who made her 100th Royals appearance last season. 
    The trio are set to represent the Republic of Ireland, Canada and Norway respectively at the Women’s World Cup next month. 
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    Other talents leaving the struggling club include Scotland full-back Emma Mukandi, 30, Wales defender Gemma Evans 26 and forwards Natasha Dowie and Emma Harries.
    Earlier this month Harries, 21, who joined the Royals’ academy at the age of eight, described their relegation as a “sad day for women’s football”. 
    In a tweet the former England Under-19 vice captain wrote that club staff “deserved so much better”.
    In a written statement the club described the situation as “a challenging period for the team, marked by the disappointment of relegation to the Barclays (Women’s) Championship” .
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    It stated: “A number of new contract offers were issued – but within the constraints of a part-time programme operating in the second tier of the women’s game”.
    Kelly Chambers left her role as head coach earlier this month following Reading’s relegation from the WSLCredit: Getty
    The exit of the majority of Reading’s women squad comes just two days after the club were served with a winding-up petition by HMRC.
    The petition is said to relate to unpaid tax bills. 
    This month the Royals were also charged by the EFL for failing to pay their men’s team players on time and in full on three occasions last season. More

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    Arsenal boost forward ranks with Canada ace Cloe Lacasse joining club before Women’s World Cup

    ARSENAL have boosted their options in attack by signing Canada international Cloe Lacasse.The forward, 29, joins the Gunners on a permanent deal following a four-year spell at Portuguese side Benfica. 
    Arsenal’s newest forward Cloe Lacasse has been included in Canada’s provisional squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
    Lacasse won eight trophies with her former club Benfica including three top-flight titlesCredit: Getty
    Lacasse, who Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall describes as a “proven goalscorer” notched up 102 in 131 games for her former side. 
    The length of her deal with the Gunners, who finished third in the WSL last season, has not been publicly disclosed by the club. 
    Of her move to the WSL side, Lacasse said: “I feel ready mentally and physically to be able to contribute here and win titles.
    “I feel that this club has everything it takes to compete for the highest honours. 

    “I want to go to the next level and score goals here for Arsenal. I’m super excited and enthusiastic to get started here.”
    Eidevall added: “Cloe is a proven goalscorer and has shown her quality over a number of seasons in two European leagues as well as the Champions League. 
    “She will add a different dimension to our attacking game and I’m looking forward to working with her.”
    Lacasse began her youth career in Canada before a move to the USA in 2011 to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes 
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    The forward later moved to Europe signing for Icelandic club IBV in 2015. 
    She helped their team win the Icelandic League Cup and Women’s Football trophy in 2016 and 2017. 
    And Lacasse would later lift eight trophies with Benfica from 2019 to this year including three top-flight titles in Portugal. 
    Lacasse and her Canada team-mates are set to play England in a behind-closed-doors game on July 9Credit: Getty
    Lacasse, who has 19 caps, has been named in Canada’s provisional squad for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July. 
    Players in the group managed by Bev Priestman include five WSL aces including Chelsea duo Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming. 
    Priestman is set to name her final squad on July 9 five days ahead of a behind-closed-doors pre-tournament clash with England.  More

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    ‘There’s always a target on England’s back’, says Alessia Russo ahead of Lionesses’ World Cup test

    ALESSIA RUSSO believes the Lionesses have a bullseye on their backs as they target World Cup glory following their Euros heroics. And the WSL star, 24, is relishing the competition for the starting striker place with Bethany England and Rachel Daly. 
    Alessia Russo is hoping England will bring their Euros-winning flair to the World CupCredit: PA
    The WSL star reckons training for the tournament has been perfect distraction from headlines concerning her futureCredit: PA
    Russo and Rachel Daly are among the Lionesses’ striker options along with Bethany EnglandCredit: Getty
    England’s clash against Portugal at Satdium MK on Saturday will be their final game on home soil before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand commences on July 20.
    And Sarina Wiegman’s side, who are targeting back-to-back major tournament wins, will face Haiti two days later
    Russo, who helped her team become European champions last July, said: “There’s always a target on England’s back in football. 
    “We feel really good. It will be a completely different tournament.
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    “The Euros is behind us now and it was an incredible summer. 
    “We saw what we can do and now it’s time for us to come together on the world stage.”
    Russo is one of seven WSL aces in Wiegman’s forward ranks for the World Cup with the player scoring 10 goals in 20 top-flight games last term. 
    The group also includes England and Daly who were among the Women’s Super League’s top three finishers last term with Aston Villa ace Daly winning the Golden Boot. 
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    Russo added: “You’re always learning as a player and when I first came in, to have the likes of Ellen White there to learn from was incredible. 
    “Even now with Rach and Beth we are learning things off each other every day. 
    “Competition has been so high. Rachel and Beth, we’re all competing. 
    “They are top, top players so to be able to play with them and train with them every day has been great. The wingers too. 
    “There is so much competition all over the pitch but as a player that’s exactly what you want in the squad.”
    England’s opener on July 22 could see Russo play her first World Cup match against debutants Haiti in Group D in Brisbane, Australia. 
    The game at the 52,500-seater Suncorp Stadium comes 36 days after her Manchester United departure with the player linked to Arsenal following the expiration of her club contract in June.  
    Russo confirmed her Red Devils farewell in a tweet describing her exit after a three-year spell as the “hardest decision” she has ever made. 
    The England ace is thought to be closing in on a switch to the Gunners who reportedly had two record-breaking bids knocked back in January. 
    And aside from Arsenal Russo is also thought to have attracted interest from record Champions League winners Lyon and top tier sides in the United States
    Of the speculation, she added: “Towards the end of the season it was tough.
    “You don’t like things in the media about you but that’s football
     “There’s no nice time to sort things like that out.
    “But now I’m here it’s nice to have a full focus on a massive tournament coming up.”
    “Coming back into an environment like this is perfect because you’re competing and all your focus is on England.”
    This friendship is for life now and she’ll definitely be one of my bridesmaids one day.Alessia Russo on her friendship with Ella Toone
    The Lionesses’ clash with Haiti could see Russo in action with Ella Toone almost a year on from the duo helping England lift the Euros trophy at Wembley. 
    That 2-1 win over Germany last July saw Toone, 23 make history becoming the first Lioness to score at a Euros final at the stadium. 
    For Russo it was among the highlights of a friendship that goes back almost decade with their pair becoming during days in England’s Under-15s squad. 
    The Maidstone-born forward added: “We were friends before we played at United together, we’ve been friends since we were 12 or 13.
    “The friendship is for life now and she’ll definitely be one of my bridesmaids one day!
    “Ella is super talented and has no ceiling. Her potential is massive, it’s really cool to see.
    “We talk about the Euros all the time, about how special it is to go through a journey with someone and then achieve one of your dreams together.
    Russo ranks winning the Euros alongside her team-mate and pal Ella Toone as one of her favourite memoriesCredit: Reuters
    “There are loads of people who are really close in the team and that’s important because football is tough.
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    “Sometimes you have a bad day and you need to lean on someone and vice versa. 
    “When we are on the other side of the world it’s nice to have a little comfort there.” More

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    ‘Sport’s most fancied star’ Alisha Lehmann enjoys pre-World Cup training session as fans call for her to join their club

    ALISHA LEHMANN has taken social media by storm as she prepares for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.And several fans are so impressed they are begging Lehmann, 24, to join their favourite club after the tournament ends in Australia and New Zealand.

    Alisha Lehmann took social media by storm as she prepares for the Women’s World CupCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Alisha will be playing for Switzerland in Australia and New ZealandCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
    Alisha is working out in a World Cup training camp ahead of next month’s tournamentCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
    The Aston Villa ace has linked up with the Swiss national team and is undergoing a rigorous training camp ahead of their World Cup opener against the Philippines on July 21.
    The ex-West Ham player shared two snaps of her working out on the pitch and attracted over 218,000 likes.
    Fans also flooded the comments’ section begging the forward to sign for their beloved teams.
    One fan posted: “Come to Arsenal pls.”
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    Another wrote: “COME TO TURKIYE GALATASARAY.”
    And a third commented: “Come to Chelsea …I love you.”
    This comes after Lehmann was named sport’s most fancied star earlier this month after a new study revealed the top 10.
    The Switzerland international was ranked ahead of the “world’s sexiest athlete” Alica Schmidt and tennis player Camila Giorgi.
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    A recent research ranked female athletes based on Google searches of their name followed by the word “hot”.
    Across the last two years, Lehmann came out on top with over 491,000 such searches.
    She was joined in the top 10 by Emma Raducanu, Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, Maria Sharapova, Paige VanZant, Danica Patrick and Ellyse Perry.
    Alisha plays for Aston Villa and fans want her to join their own teamCredit: https://www.instagram.com/alishalehmann7/
    Alisha was recently named sport’s most fancied starCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
    Alisha beat a number of sports stars to reach the topCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7 More