Georgia Stanway ready for extra responsibility as England face China

01 August 2023 , 04:14

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Sarina Wiegman, Head Coach of England, and Georgia Stanway of England speak to the media before the game against China

Georgia Stanway says she is ready to take on a different role in the England team to cover for the injured Keira Walsh.

Walsh will miss Tuesday's game with China as she recovers from a knee injury at the team base, although she has not yet been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after going off during the 1-0 win over Denmark. Stanway dropped deeper into the midfield after Walsh left the field and could reprise that role in a game the Lionesses need to avoid defeat in to guarantee winning Group D.

The two are close friends and were club teammates at Man City together, before leaving for Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively. Stanway, who will also need to avoid a yellow card against China to ensure she isn't suspended for England's last 16 tie, is ready to bring discipline and leadership to the England engine room.

"I think for me it’s just bringing that discipline into the game," Stanway said when discussing her changed position. "It's about not necessarily knowing I can run forward and attack every single time and just knowing I need to protect the back four.

"I’ve played it (defensive midfield]) a little bit at my club and I’ve played alongside Keira (Walsh) who is the best teacher without knowing it.

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"So going into tomorrow the biggest thing is we need to communicate in the middle of the pitch, the connection we have between me, Keira and (Ella) Tooney has been easy, it’s been synchronised.

"I speak to Keira '24/7'. To be honest it’s only about 10 minutes of football-related stuff, the rest of it’s just rubbish. I’m sure she will be giving me some tips."

Georgia Stanway ready for extra responsibility as England face China

Georgia Stanway is ready to embrace a different role in midfield as England face China

Stanway is one of the few parts of the Euro 2022 winning teams' spine that will be involved against China. In addition to the absent Walsh, Sarina Wiegman is also missing Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby from the tournament due to injury, while forward Ellen White has since retired.

And she insists she is relishing her chance to step up and become one of the leaders in the dressing room.

“I think I’ve just created a little bit of a leadership role in the way that I’m playing," Stanway added. "I feel a lot of confidence in my own game.

"I’ve been consistent off the back of the Euros, so I want to keep my momentum, and prove my leadership by the way that I’m playing and lead by my example. I’m not afraid to communicate, so I can try and do two jobs."

The Bayern midfielder, who scored the winner in England's opening game against Haiti, is also confident she can avoid the booking that would lead to a ban. If any player receives two yellow cards prior to the quarter final stage they must sit out one match.

"Of course I’m conscious (of getting suspended),” she added. "But I managed 45 in the first game and 90 in the last game, I’m hoping I can manage a lot more minutes without picking up another."

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