05 January 2023 , 14:23
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Beth England says she will bring the "best version of herself" to Tottenham after completing her big money transfer from Women's Super League champions Chelsea.
In a record-breaking deal between two WSL clubs, England joins Spurs after struggling to break into the Chelsea starting XI for much of this season. Tottenham finished fifth last season but have struggled so far this term and went into the league's Christmas break down in eighth place, following four defeats on the bounce.
But England will be hoping to bring goals to Rehanne Skinner's side, having scored 70 goals in 148 games for Chelsea in a seven-year spell. However, hitting the ground running will be the big challenge.
Although the international forward is expecting a tough test, England insisted she will bring new energy to the struggling Spurs side.
"It’s obviously a big day for myself and I’m excited to get going,” she told Tottenham's website. "The Club has got a lot of ambitions and I’m hoping that I can add to that and hopefully get the club where it wants to be.
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"It’s definitely going to be a challenge, different for me going from blue to white after obviously spending so long at Chelsea, but I’m excited for it and it’s something that I’m going to relish, a challenge that I’ll embrace with open arms.
"I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing new chapter for me and hopefully I can bring a lot of goals to the club, as well as my experience and just a bit of leadership in the front line. I just want everyone to know that I’ll give everything I can for the club and the badge.
"I’m someone who gives everything and, for me, it’s about making sure that I bring the best version of myself – my goals, my passion, my enthusiasm, my energy – to this team and hopefully that will be reflected on the pitch.
"It’s a privilege to be here and hopefully we can make some great memories together."
England has played just six games this season and was substituted at half-time in Chelsea's final WSL game of 2022, a 3-2 win over Reading. But as all teams try and get themselves up to pace after the winter break, England has a good chance to make a strong start at her new club.
Polish forward Nikola Karczewska has only scored once in the league since moving to Spurs last summer and Jessica Naz has also endured a tricky start to the season. Both have looked weighed down by expectation when they have led the line, but the arrival of the experienced England means that some of that pressure should ease.
England is keen to hit the ground running at Spurs (2023 Tottenham Hotspur FC)If her signing also lifts the players around her in the forward department, Tottenham can start looking up the WSL table rather than worrying about what is behind them. Bar the eight goals they stuck past Brighton in October, Spurs' only other league goal since the opening day was an own goal against Liverpool.
Finding the net has been a problem but England's addition presents them with a simple solution. The player herself insisted that she will bring a much needed "ruthless" streak to the Spurs attack.
"I think you look at the facilities, it’s up and coming in the women’s game," she added. "There’s not many teams that have got such great facilities to start with and speaking with Rehanne (Skinner) she’s been a big part in this with her drive and what she wants to achieve out of this club.
"I’ve worked with her previously with England so I have a bit of background with her and she’s got great aspirations like myself, so it’s got a nice homely feel and there’s a lot that makes me want to come here and do a good job.
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"I already think the club has got a lot of things going for it but for me, I’m quite driven, quite a strong person – I can be a loud character, I do want to give my best and I’m extremely competitive.
"I don’t care if it’s a game of cards or a game of bingo, I want to win, so hopefully I can help to make sure we’re a bit more ruthless in front of goal and get the team where it needs to be."
With England knowing she needs minutes and goals to force her way back into Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad, her words now need to be backed up on the pitch.
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