Aluko hails Chelsea's 'winning mentality' and tips Lionesses for World Cup glory
Former England and Chelsea striker Eni Aluko has backed the Lionesses to go all the way at this year's World Cup - and has heaped praise on star forwards Lauren James and Alessia Russo.
Aluko won five FA Cups and three English league titles across her stellar 18-year playing career before hanging up her boots in 2020.
The ITV Sport pundit also earned 102 international caps and is confident the Lionesses, who are now 29 games unbeaten under manager Sarina Wiegman, could replicate their EURO 2022 heroics when they travel to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup in the summer.
"I’m really enjoying watching England at the moment," Aluko told Mirror Football. "It's been really exciting to see a team of brilliant footballers.
"Players like Lauren James, Keira Walsh - I really love watching them. As a forward I watch what the likes of Rachel Daly or Alessia Russo are doing up front and its great to see their progress.
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"I genuinely think England go into the World Cup as favourites. I can’t see any other situation where England aren’t going to go all the way other than if they get complacent, which I really can’t see happening.
"Its a really exciting time to be an England fan and it must be a really exciting time to be part of the team as well."
Before this summer's showpiece event gets underway on July 20, there are still several domestic honours that still need to be dished out, starting with the Continental League Cup.
Aluko scored 68 goals in 158 appearances for ChelseaThis year's Final will be contested by Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday, with the Gunners bidding to extend their record as the most successful club in the competition's history.
Emma Hayes' side came out on top when the two sides went head to head in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup last weekend and Aluko, who scored 68 goals in 158 appearances for Chelsea, is backing her former club to triumph again in front of a competition-record crowd at Selhurst Park.
"To see the women selling out Premier League stadiums is amazing and definitely something we should get used to and celebrate," Aluko said.
"In terms of who's going to win this weekend I’m obviously going to say Chelsea. Winning trophies is becoming par for the course for them now so I think Chelsea will edge it on the day."
A victory on Sunday would mark Chelsea's third Conti Cup success in just four years. And Aluko believes that winning mentality within the squad could also help propel the Blues to their fourth consectutive Women's Super League (WSL) title in May.
"It's tricky this season because Man United have been doing so well and are currently top but Chelsea have always got a chance to win the league," she said.
"Since I was there, they’ve consistently had a winning mentality but its obviously more of a challenge this year because of Man United’s consistency.
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"I think its healthy for the women’s game to have more parity, more competition, more challengers. Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world so having a women’s team that is now challenging for the Champions League as well is really important.
"It's a good advert to clubs that when you invest in the women’s game and you do it properly, you get the rewards from that."
Aluko earned 102 senior caps for EnglandAnd Aluko will play a pivotal role in celebrating the exponential growth of the women's game when she hosts the inaugural Women’s Football Awards alongside Jamie Carragher later this year. The event will celebrate the achievements of women in football across all levels and recognise the people, brands and organisations who are helping to fuel the game's rapid upward trajectory.
The ceremony, which will take place in London on May 25, has been backed by England internationals Beth Mead, Jess Carter, and Nikita Parris, and will celebrate players from across the football pyramid.
"I’m really excited to be hosting alongside Jamie Carragher," Aluko said. "It’s going to be my awards-hosting debut which I’m really excited about and its great to see the breadth of awards given out across all levels of the game from grassroots up to the professional game.
"The women’s game is continuing to grow at such a rapid rate and I think its really important to put the spotlight on people, teams and areas around the country that are dedicated to women’s football. I hope it will be an amazing night."
The Women’s Football Awards, in association with SHEIN, will take place on 25 May. You can nominate now by clicking here.
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