England confident they have inside info to spark World Cup campaign into life

26 July 2023 , 19:56

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Alex Greenwood thinks the Lionesses can do an inside job on Denmark superstar Pernille Harder.

The former Chelsea playmaker is the main threat to Sarina Wiegman’s side picking up another three points in their Group D clash. She played alongside England defenders Millie Bright and Jess Carter under Emma Hayes for three years before her move to Bayern Munich this summer.

Greenwood suggested that the Blues duo might be giving them a few tips on how to stop the 30-year-old. She said: “Denmark have some really good players all over the pitch but she’s classed as their main threat.

‌“I’m very much aware of her quality and the problems she causes after playing against her for Chelsea - what she’s achieved has been outstanding. So, for us, it’s about nullifying their threats. And we’ll have a game plan to do that.

‌“Millie and Jess have trained with her day in and day out, for the last however many years. They’ll give us some tips. And I think it does help. They’ll be sharing that with us, I’m sure.”

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‌Harder has picked up 142 caps for her national team, collecting 70 goals in that time. That kind of ratio underlines her importance to the Danes who struggled to break down China in their opening game until a late header earned them victory.

‌And she is undoubtedly the poster girl of the Scandinavian side, going for a world record £250,000 fee when she joined up with Chelsea three years ago. And, at the age of 30, is at the peak of her powers. Greenwood is a fan.

Pernille Harder celebrates after scoring against China

‌Asked what it was that gave her the X-factor, the Merseysider said: “It’s the runs into the box she makes and how tidy she is on the ball. "For such a slight player, her hold-up play is brilliant.

‌“She scores a lot of goals, all types of goals, she’s got a great strike on her. I could give her more compliments, but I won’t. She’s a top player.”

Greenwood has developed into a cultured centre-back for Manchester City and her ability on the ball has been seen as a key reason why she made such an effortless switch from left-back.

Head coach Sarina Wiegman had choices to make up front and in defence going into the tournament. Rachel Daly had been used as a left-back successfully during the Euros but her success up front for Aston Villa - she scored 22 goals in landing the Golden Boot in the Women’s Super League - meant that spot might open up.

Alex Greenwood is confident England's form will quickly come together

‌It was thought that Jess Carter would get the nod but Greenwood was among the best Lionesses players on the pitch against Haiti. She said: “I knew I was playing left-back. I knew. But I know my role in the team whether that was centre-back or left-back.

“We’ve all played in those positions before. We might not play together every week but we’re all familiar with each other.

"We’ve been in the training camp for a few weeks before the tournament started. That’s enough time to prepare your partnerships and build-up play. Things will develop naturally during the tournament.

‌“It’s about keeping to that - to keep doing it in training and forming partnerships. Eventually, it will come together.”