Alessia Russo should take page from England icon's book to get among goals again

25 July 2023 , 07:05

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It was a tough opening game for Alessia Russo

England are struggling for goals - and I wonder if Alessia Russo should take a leaf out of Ellen White’s book to kick-start the Lionesses.‌

It’s four games now without a goal from open play and Arsenal's new striker is coming under the spotlight after failing to find the net against Haiti. The pressure on Russo has intensified because there are alternatives for that position as the country’s spearhead.

Rachel Daly and Beth England were both in great form for their club sides in the Women’s Super League - so there is little room for error if Sarina Wiegman is going to persist with Russo on Friday against Denmark.

It sounds harsh that, doesn’t it? We’re only one game into the tournament. But strikers are judged on goals and Russo didn’t against Haiti - when that happens, questions are always asked, particularly if there are quality replacements waiting in the wings.

The new Gunners’ forward, though, can take comfort in the fact that White - who, of course, recently retired as the Lionesses’ greatest goalscorer - turbo-charged her career after concentrating on standing between the two posts and hitting the net.

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I remember speaking to her about her role.

‌You could never accuse Ellen of not grafting. The trouble was, she worked TOO hard in the wrong areas of the pitch.

‌She was making runs to close down defenders. She was doing the same down the channels.

‌In fact, she told me that by the time the chance that she had been waiting for finally arrived that she was too tired to give it her full attention.

You can look at the statistics to see when the penny dropped with Ellen and I just wonder if Alessia should now do the same.

Alessia Russo didn't trouble the Haiti goal in England's opener

Ellen White celebrates after the Euros final win over Germany (2022 Getty Images)

I’m not advocating standing between the posts and just waiting around on the off-chance an opportunity might present itself.

But no-one ever says: ‘Did you see that tackle Russo made?’ They didn’t do it with Ellen. She’s remembered for the goals she scored, not the successful challenges on her opponent’s left back.

Alessia can still drop in and link play - it’s where she excels - but when you’ve got the likes of Daly and England ready, willing and able to step in, then you need to deliver.

Sue Smith is writing for the Mirror throughout the World Cup

That need may not be as great now because England won their first match and have taken a giant step forward towards qualifying from the group.

I don’t expect too many changes for Denmark, people need to build a connection and that doesn’t just happen overnight.

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We know Sarina is happy to field a settled XI. But, if it’s not working with Russo, don’t expect too much patience from the sidelines.

There’s a World Cup at stake, after all.

Sue Smith