Star: Lucy Bronze
(Picture: Getty Images)Lucy Bronze believes the FA’s investment in women’s football has allowed the Lionesses to close the gap on world champions USA.
The FA have spent millions on the women’s game, and that paid off as the Lionesses won Euro 2022. That was England’s first major trophy in women’s football, and Sarina Wiegman’s squad have now set their sights on winning next year’s World Cup.
The USA, who England face tomorrow in a sold-out friendly at Wembley, will head to that tournament as favourites, but defender Bronze (above) believes the Lionesses have closed the gap, thanks to the FA’s support.
“From the beginning of my career at England to where we are now is incredible,” she said. “The backing we get, the resources, the level of coaching and the level of expertise in every single area is crazy.
“The USA were ahead of everybody in that respect for a long time. We’ve caught up with them in that respect. They had so much backing for so many years that contributed to their success. We’ve probably got the best backing in Europe and were the most successful team at the Euros.
“That has been a huge contributing factor, having our players understand the game better, what they eat, the professionalism, all these things have changed in my career as an England player.
“I didn’t even have boots that fit me when I first played for England, whereas now they’re made-to-measure.”
Bronze also believes she is benefiting from playing at Barcelona, who she joined along with Keira Walsh this summer. “It’s like a new lease of life,” she said. “Both myself and Keira feel like our games are improving from being there.”
