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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Beth England delighted at ‘big risk’ to leave Chelsea paying off as Spurs star prepares for Women’s World Cup

Beth England is delighted the “big risk” of her leaving Chelsea for Tottenham has paid off after securing a spot in the Lionesses’ World Cup squad.

England left Women’s Super League champions Chelsea in January to join relegation-battlers Spurs for £250,000 as she wanted more game time.

The striker had not been in an England squad since September, but she has made the plane for this summer’s World Cup after finishing the season with 12 goals in as many games.

England has admitted she “screamed my house down” after getting the call-up and it proves she was right to leave Chelsea after seven years with the Blues.

“It was a big risk,” said England. “I didn’t really like the thought of change and it all happened so quickly.

“I could have stayed at Chelsea, I could have stayed on the bench in my comfort zone, but then I’d have been watching other people going out there to Australia when I know that it’s something I would have regretted looking back on.

“I’m glad the risk paid off and even if it didn’t pay off and I didn’t come, I could have at least looked at myself in the mirror knowing I did everything I could to put myself on that flight.

“Ultimately it’s my career and I had to take it into my own hands and make sure that I put myself in the best position because I’m not getting any younger.

“Change can be scary and I’ve never dealt well with change, but luckily I hit the ground running and I’m just thankful that it turned out well.”

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