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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Beth England interview: Tottenham move key to World Cup spot, I could show Sarina Wiegman how good I am

Beth England only has herself to blame for the fact she keeps missing her graduation ceremony.

The striker was due to receive her law degree last summer, but was busy helping England win Euro 2022.

Now, the 29-year-old has been caught out again, after her stunning form for Tottenham earned her a place in the Lionesses's World Cup squad.

"If I can arrange it closer to Christmas, that would probably be better," says England.

"I just want that frame up on my mum's wall. As the last of three daughters to graduate, it's about time I get it up there!"

Ready for action: Beth England trains with England, hopeful that she will get the chance to make her mark at this World Cup (PA)

As much as England enjoyed being part of the Lionesses's success last summer, so much so she got a tattoo to commemorate it, the striker hopes the World Cup, which starts on Thursday, will be different for her.

England did not play a minute during the Euros, but she is confident that will not be the case this time, after leaving Chelsea in January.

It was a bold move, as England swapped a title challenge for a relegation battle, however it paid off, as she got the minutes she craved at Spurs.

The striker finished the campaign with 12 goals in as many games and, after not being in an England squad since September, England boss Sarina Wiegman simply could not overlook her.

"The biggest thing I would say leading into the World Cup is that Sarina has been in a position where she has been able to see me more, playing regularly, scoring goals," says England.

Joining Spurs was a culture shock. They were struggling. It was just fighting day by day.

"Whereas I think going into the Euros, she had only seen bits of it. Ultimately, I think if I had stayed where I was, sat on the bench, I would never be here today.

"[Chelsea boss] Emma Hayes opted for a singular No9, which made my chances much more difficult, based off Sam [Kerr] being who she is — a prolific goalscorer.

"So it was hard to fight my way back in from that point and I think I probably overstayed maybe a year, a year and a half too long, where I felt like I was just wasted there and I wasn't being used enough."

It was still a wrench to leave Chelsea. During seven years there, England forged a close bond with the club, while, growing up, Blues legend Didier Drogba was her favourite striker.

"I absolutely loved watching him play," says England. "I just think he was so tenacious. Drogba was always front-footed, aggressive, he scored goals from angles that you didn't think were possible. I think he was very switched on to react to things."

Drogba was a talismanic figure for Chelsea, and England became similar at Spurs, almost single-handedly guiding them to safety in the Women's Super League.

"For me, it was kind of like where I had to take on a new role where I became more of a leader," she says. "At first, it was an entirely different culture shock, as well as standard in a way, because obviously [Spurs] were in a position where they were struggling. It was just fighting day by day. I led from the front."

England is one of three strikers in the Lionesses's squad, and who gets the nod for Saturday's World Cup opener against Haiti in Brisbane is a big call for Wiegman.

Alessia Russo, who joined Arsenal this month after three years at Manchester United, has been the manager's preferred starter since Ellen White retired last summer. However, Rachel Daly was top scorer in the Women's Super League last season with 22 goals for Aston Villa and England finished the campaign in better form than anyone else.

"We are all great in our own way, and whatever tactics suit the game at that time is going to showcase that," says England. "I think me and Alessia are very different players. I would say I am more similar with Rachel in terms of [being] aerial, not necessarily one to

get on the ball and drive and take on players. I am more of your traditional out-and-out No9.

"It's a tough decision, because we have all got different qualities, but whoever Sarina chooses to go for is her preference."

This time around, England will be hoping she has graduated from substitute to starter.

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