07 July 2023 , 06:00
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England legend Fara Williams believes the Lionesses' recent injury crisis could harm their chances of winning the upcoming Women's World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman's side flew out to Australia on Wednesday and will get their World Cup campaign underway against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22. However, when they take to the field at Suncorp Stadium, they will be without three key players in captain Leah Williamson, forward Beth Mead and midfielder Fran Kirby.
Williamson and Mead are both continuing their rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injuries while Kirby has been struggling with a knee problem since February, and Williams believes the trio's absence could prove detrimental to England's hopes of going all the way at this summer's tournament.
"As a fan and a former Lioness it’s tough because I think the games are so competitive now that the depleted squad the Lionesses are going with will have a bigger impact than fans realise," Williams told Mirror Football.
"They've lost three major players that are the spine of the team. I think it will be a difficult tournament for the Lionesses and we probably aren’t going to see the success that we saw last summer.
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"I think if you’d have asked me three months ago what are the Lionesses’ chances I’d have probably said they’re going to go and win it but with the injuries my opinion has definitely changed."
England have cemented their status as one of the most formidable forces in the women's game since Wiegman was appointed manager in September 2021. The Dutchwoman presided over a 30 game unbeaten run - which encompassed the Lionesses' historic triumph at last summer's Euros - before April's defeat to World Cup co-hosts Australia, however Williams thinks England's recent performances are a slight cause for concern going into the tournament.
"The recent performances we’ve seen from the Lionesses probably haven’t been the same standard we’re used to seeing," she said.
Williamson and Mead will both miss the World Cup through injury (Getty Images / 2022 Visionhaus)"I think, because of all the injuries, some of those connections aren’t quite there yet within the squad and it's difficult trying to get those connections at a World Cup so I think [the tournament] might come too soon for the Lionesses."
Reflecting on England's most recent performance - a goalless draw with Portugal in their last game on home soil - Williams added: "The first half, in my opinion, was poor. The speed of play was too slow.
"We saw an improved performance in the second half, the speed of passing was much better and the rotation helped. I think what we’re finding difficult is England are trying to play a different way and in doing that people aren’t quite on the same page and the connections aren’t there."
In spite of some of England's recent struggles, Williams - who retired in 2021 as the Lionesses' most-capped player - admits watching Wiegman's side over the past 12 months has been a source of immense pride and revealed she would have loved the opportunity to play under the Dutchwoman.
"Something that former Lionesses and anyone who’s been involved in the women’s game have always tried to do is inspire the next generation of players and put the game in a position to grow," she said. "I think the fact this team have carried that on and taken it to a new level makes me super proud.
"For them to have gone on and achieved something we didn’t manage to do certainly makes me proud. They’re doing fantastic things and long may that continue.
She added: "Before England appointed [Wiegman], she was a manager I had huge respect for so when we got her I was really excited and she’s certainly lived up to all the expectations. She just seems a really likeable manager and someone that is really understanding but very direct.
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"I certainly think she’s one of the best managers - male or female - in the game today and I don’t think she’s far off, if it was something she wanted to do, being spoken about in terms of managing a men’s team at some point. I think she definitely has the quality to do that.
"Would I have loved to play under her? Of course I would. Would I have loved to have been part of that squad last summer? Of course I would. I think I speak for every former Lioness when I say that. So I hope they can go one better this summer and win the World Cup."
While Williams' stellar playing career didn't quite align with Wiegman's tenure, the former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder still enjoyed plenty of memorable moments in an England shirt, including helping the Lionesses to their best-ever World Cup finish in 2015.
"I think playing against Germany for the bronze medal in 2015 has to be a standout moment," she said. "It's the furthest a Lionesses team has been to date at a World Cup so its a really memorable moment.
"It’s hard to explain what it's like to play at a World Cup. As a kid, of course you dream of playing at a major tournament but to put into words what it feels like to actually represent your country is difficult.
Williams helped England secure a third-place finish at the 2015 World Cup (Bongarts/Getty Images)"It’s certainly a very proud moment to go to a World Cup. I know when I went to my first one in 2007, putting the shirt on and thinking about all the people that helped you get into that position is such a proud moment."
Although Williams won't be lacing up her boots this summer, the BBC pundit will still be following the World Cup closely and is joining forces with LiveScore to bring users detailed analysis of the tournament.
LiveScore, one of the world’s leading real-time sports updates and streaming service providers, will work with Williams to give users unique insight into the teams and players involved, with the former Lioness set to write five weekly columns for the duration of the tournament.
Reflecting on her partnership with LiveScore, Williams said: "I’m really excited because when you’re working for broadcasters you probably don’t get the time to get into the nitty gritty of analysing football and that’s something I’m really passionate about.
"I have massive opinions on football and how I see the game and its an opportunity for me to break down the game in that way and analyse in a way that people can engage with."