Jess Carter explains why she won't have any nerves playing in World Cup final
Jess Carter will play for England in a World Cup final this Sunday.
More than a few footballers would be shaking at the knees, were they in the shoes of the 25-year-old. Not Carter. “Personally, I won’t have any nerves,” she said, “it’s football. I’m not really a nervous person.
“I understand and know from the outside, it’s the World Cup final, your biggest moment. But I play my best when I’m super calm. At the end of the day, it’s just a game of football. We have to perform as we did in the first group game. Maybe some people have nerves but I think that will be challenged into positive energy come the night.”
It’s not an act. Consider her reaction to the semi-final victory over Australia. “I was into the ice bath because my legs were struggling after the game,” she said, “I’m a pretty chilled type of character so I just put my headphones back in and wanted to get some sleep.
“Some people were singing - poorly - on the bus on the way home. There was a lot of excitement. People are different, really, aren’t they?” All this is delivered with a smile on her face that conveys a character totally at ease with herself.
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Carter didn’t have your average route to the professional game. She wasn’t picked up by any club until she joined Birmingham City’s academy at the age of 16. Within a year, she’d played in the Champions League. Within two, she’d earned a move to Chelsea. And now, nine years later, a World Cup final.
It hasn’t always been a straight line. She struggled at first under Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, trying to adapt to the life of an elite sportswoman. Problems with her diet, and her motivation - but never with her talent.
She played a small part - minutes from the substitutes’ bench - during the Euros, in Leah Williamson's absence has afforded her a way in - and she’s been one of the success stories of this tournament.
However, there’s a hint of her past struggle in the answers to questions put to her. The clues are there. She said: “At the end of the season before last, I was burnt out. My body wasn’t able to handle it and going into the Euros the best way for me was to give that feedback, rather than pushing and pushing and breaking down again.
Jess Carter will play for England in a World Cup final this Sunday (The FA via Getty Images)“The last 12 months have been mad. I wasn’t in the place I wanted to be but I’ve had tremendous support from Sarina, Arjan and all the staff in terms of how I can get back to being the best version of me.
“It’s been how to manage my body the best I can. It’s how to stay fit and healthy and keep pushing. I know what I can do when I’m at my best game. My focus is on the off-the-pitch stuff and the rest follows. Between England and Chelsea, I’m back to where I want to be and you can see it in my performances.”
Carter asked about how her life might change if England are successful on Sunday. “I don’t take any opportunities for granted,” she said, “that’s not the case at all, but I’m maybe not aware of the magnitude of things. I’m just Jess, just playing my football. I’ll do this and go off and do whatever I’m going to do.”
Is she going to celebrate wildly? What do you think? “No, I’m just going to go home, I’m going to go back to my apartment, really, and I don’t know… just chill.” Ladies and gentlemen, Jess Carter - England’s reluctant heroine.
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