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Top 15 Players of the England Women’s Soccer Team

Prepare to be amazed by the England Women’s Soccer Team’s amazing abilities. The  2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup ushers in a wonderful opportunity for talented female soccer players who are prepared to rule the field with their talents and finesse as we plunge into the realm of football. The England’s women’s soccer team is one of the teams that will be gracing this highly coveted tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand between July and August. This powerful squad is filled with skill, from Steph Houghton’s competent leadership to Lucy Bronze’s blazing speed. The precision finishing of Fran Kirby’s captivating dribbling, and Jordan Nobbs’ command of the midfield confound opponents.

Prepare yourself for Beth Mead’s lightning-fast tempo and Millie Bright’s unwavering defense. The ladies of England are poised to fire the football globe with their skill, leaving fans in wonder and opponents in their wake, thanks to these exceptional individuals and their colleagues. Here, we bring you Top 15 Players of the England Women’s Soccer Team.

1. Steph Houghton

Steph Houghton. , , via Wikimedia Commons

The City and England captain, who is widely considered as one of the top center backs in the world and one of the most successful players in the game, has a sparkling resume of individual and team honors and has garnered praise for her impact and influence both on and off the field.

Houghton is admired for her dedication, leadership, and supreme professionalism and serves as an example for aspiring football players anywhere in the globe, both male and female. She has used her reputation as a role model to great advantage, shattering stereotypes and bringing women’s football into the public eye.

She was named England’s captain in 2014, a day she cherished and referred to as “the best day of her life.” Since then, she has made more than 120 appearances for her nation, leading the Lionesses to three major semifinals, a bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, and representing Great Britain at the Olympics.

She also made history when she was the first female player to appear on the cover of Shoot Magazine. Since then, she has appeared in several media outlets as a commentator for both men’s and women’s games on television.

Despite the England coach preference for young players, the doors for the now 34-year-old are not yet closed for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Tournament.

2. Lucy Bronze

Lucy Bronze 2014. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Lucy Bronze is an English native, currently featuring for the Barcelona FC and the English Women’s National Football team, known as the Lionesses. She thrives best at the defense position and has earned respect for her playing abilities and is regarded as one of the top full backs in the world. The defender, who is 5 feet 8 inches (172 cm) tall, has won every domestic trophy in England with her clubs. She has also won every domestic championship in France, the Champions League, the Euros, an Olympic bronze medal, the SheBelieves Cup, and the Arnold Clark Cup in 2022.

No one anticipates Lucy Bronze, who plays in the defensive line, to have a great goal scoring record at all. She is regarded as a skilled player in goal scoring as well as defensive abilities. For example, she made 28 appearances and scored 5 goals during her four-year stay with Sunderland. Later, Bronze played 30 games for Everton and scored twice. Lucy Bronze played 42 times for Liverpool as her next club, scoring 3 goals for the reds. Bronze made a total of 53 appearances with Manchester City, scoring nine goals, including her first three goals (three) in European tournaments.

Additionally, she has won numerous individual awards, including PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2013–14 and 2016–17, FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Squad in 2015, England Player of the Year award in 2015 and 2019, FA WSL 1 Players’ Player of the Year award, MCWFC Etihad Airways Player of the Season award in 2016, FIFA FIFPro Women’s World11 award in 2017–18 and 2019, BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award to mention but a few.

The Barcelona full-back will compete in her third FIFA Women’s World CupTM, and she will be an important part of the star-studded England squad that will compete in Australia & New Zealand between July and August 2023.

3. Fran Kirby

Fran Kirby. , , via Wikimedia Commons

The ability of teammates to work in unison is key to winning a team game. However, it is usually specific players that stand out to help the squad defeat formidable foes. The major factors that propel their squad to great victories are these individuals’ unique qualities. Fran Kirby, a professional football player from the United Kingdom, has excelled during the 2017–18 campaign. Kirby won the title of “Professional Footballers’ Association Women’s Players’ Player of the Year” for the 2017–18 season after scoring 22 goals across various tournaments.

One of the most well-known female footballers in the world, Kirby is noted for her technical skill and exceptional goal-scoring record throughout the years. The success of the Blues has been greatly aided by the Chelsea No. 14.

Fran Kirby represented her nation in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 in the Netherlands, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. She made it to the 2021 Ballon d’Or shortlist, and, was placed 10^th. She was also ranked seventh in the Guardian’s list of the top 100 female footballers in the world in 2021.

Unfortunately for this talented player, her journey to came to an end recently when she sustained a knee injury that requires surgery. We will miss  her.

4. Nikita Parris

Nikita Parris. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Nikita Josephine Parris, an English professional football player who competes for both the England national team and Women’s Super League club Manchester United, was born on March 10, 1994. Former teams she played for include Manchester City, Everton, Arsenal, and Division 1 Feminine club Olympique Lyonnais.

Nikita, a part of England’s victorious EURO 2022 team, has always delivered when the Lionesses have needed her. She excelled for England at the junior level, carried over her talent to the professional level, and finished with six goals to lead her nation in World Cup qualification. Parris was quickly hailed as a star of the future after entering Everton’s center of excellence at the age of 14, and she was duly included in the Toffees’ team for the league’s debut season in 2011. She joined Manchester City in January 2015, originally on loan, and has flourished ever since. The Toxteth native continued to score goals despite Everton’s struggles. Parris participated in all of Great Britain’s matches at Tokyo 2020 in between playing for the England teams that won the SheBelieves Cup in 2019 and the Arnold Clark Cup in 2022.

Lauren James, Katie Robinson, Kelly, and Hemp—players who had all played more in the Women’s Super League—were chosen out of the 23 available players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but she missed out as they were all competing for the same position.

5. Jordan Nobbs

Jordan Nobbs. , , via Wikimedia Commons

A midfielder for both Arsenal Women’s Football Club and the England Women’s National Football Team, Jordan Nobbs was born in England on December 8, 1992. As a 12-year-old, Nobbs was selected for the England U-15 team. She led the England U-15s to a 2-0 victory over Wales at the age of 13. Nobbs advanced to captaining England’s U-17 squad at the age of 14. At the 2008 Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand, Nobbs led England to fourth place.

After rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in November 2018, vice-captain Nobbs was unable to participate in the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Nobbs accepted positions as a journalist for 90 Minutes magazine and a BBC analyst for the World Cup. Additionally, Nobbs was not selected for the 2020 Olympic women’s football squad for Great Britain. Nobbs sustained a knee ligament strain in May 2022, which prevented her from competing in the 2022 Women’s Euros. Nobbs was selected for the team for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on May 31, 2023.

She was lucky to have made the selection to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the England fans are hopeful that she will be able to play the crucial role needed to bring the trophy home.

6. Beth Mead

Beth Mead. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Bethany Jane Mead, a forward for both the England national team and Women’s Super League (WSL) side Arsenal, was born on May 9, 1995, in England. She is a talented and prolific striker who has contributed the second-most goals and assists in WSL history. Beth Mead made her international debut in 2019 during England’s successful SheBelieves Cup campaign, scoring two exquisite goals. Both the 3-0 victory against Japan and the SheBelieves championship were secured by the second goal, which came after Keira Walsh’s exquisite assist in the first match versus Brazil. Mead, who won the FA WSL title with Arsenal and scored 77 goals in 78 appearances for his old side Sunderland, has been a revelation ever since Joe Montemurro moved him to the wide position.

Mead, a star for England like Nikita Parris, was productive for the national team’s youth groups and settled in swiftly at the senior level, scoring five goals in her first 12 games since making her debut against Wales in April 2018. Mead’s performances during the 2021–22 season appear to have reached a new level in part due to the disappointment of being left out of Great Britain’s team for Tokyo 2020 and the hiring of Sarina Wiegman as England’s head coach.

Although disappointing, Beth Mead’s exclusion from England’s Women’s World Cup squad was expected.

7. Rachel Daly

In recent years, Rachel Daly has played a vital role in England’s revival, having overcome obstacles to earn a spot on the team that won the EURO 2022 championship. She was a left-back for all six of England’s games throughout the tournament, which showed how crucial she was to Sarina Wiegman’s squad by keeping players like Demi Stokes and Alex Greenwood out of the starting lineup. The ambidextrous ace, who makes her living in England, was chosen as the Houston Dash’s most important player for 2018 after tallying a career-high 10 goals and being named to the NWSL team of the month three times.

The Harrogate native kept advancing under Neville’s guidance and made her debut at the 2019 World Cup in France, when she was nominated to a team for the first time. Daly feels that at times, her adaptability has worked against her, but she is capable of performing well in the frontline, as a wing back, or even as a full-back. She is now a dependable teammate for England and one of the true personalities in the locker room. Daly participated in every game for Great Britain while competing in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

With her spectacular play as a striker in the Women’s Super League, Lionesses and Aston Villa star Rachel Daly thinks she might be an attacking option for Sarina Wiegman’s team in the 2023 World Cup.

8. Millie Bright

Millie Bright. , , via Wikimedia Commons

English professional footballer Millie Bright, born on August 21, 1993, plays defense for Chelsea and the England national team. She has formerly played for Leeds Ladies and Doncaster Belles, and she has also played for England’s under-19 and under-23 national teams.

Since joining the team in 2014, Bright has grown into one of the Chelsea Women’s team’s leaders and a frequent England international. She committed to Chelsea’s long-term future by signing a contract extension that would keep her with the team until 2023 before the 2020–21 season. The Vauxhall Britain Junior Player of the Year award went to Millie Bright in 2016. She won three league titles with Chelsea in 2015, 2017–18, and 2019–20 in addition to the FA Women’s Cup thrice. She had a significant role in the club’s 2020 Women’s FA Community Shield success.

Despite sustaining an injury recently, she has made it to the final list of players going to represent England in Australia and New Zealand. Her inclusion is a major boost to the England Women’s national team.

9. Demi Lee Courtney Stokes

 Demi Lee Courtney Stokes (born 12 December 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for Manchester City and the England national team. She previously played for Sunderland in the English FA Women’s Premier League.

Being left off of England’s roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup disappointed Stokes. She was added back to the team for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 qualifying run that followed. In England’s encounter against Japan during the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Stokes played left back and contributed to England’s 2-0 victory. Additionally, Stokes participated in the quarterfinal matchup with Norway, which England defeated 3-0. Stokes was a member of the England team that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in June 2022.

Stokes and Katie Harrington are same-sex partners.The pair was married in 2018 and had a child in 2022.

10. Ella Toone

Ella Ann Toone, an English professional footballer who plays forward for Manchester United of the Women’s Super League and the England squad, was born on September 2, 1999.Toone has represented England at the under-17, under-19, under-21, and senior levels while playing for Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers in the past. Toone’s first goal gave England their second major tournament triumph in international football as they defeated Germany 2-1 in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final. Toone has supported Manchester United since she was a young girl, and one of her favorite players is Cristiano Ronaldo. Astley & Tyldesley FC, where she played as a youngster, unveiled a plaque in her honor as part of the “Where Greatness Is Made” initiative in 2022.

Ella made history with the England team for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in June 2022, helping the country win its first major competition since the 1966 World Cup. She tied the score against Spain in the quarterfinals, and after coming off the bench in the final, her spectacular chip enthralled the Wembley audience.

I figured it would be the best course of action, Ella remarked. The entire crowd exploded in celebration after the goal because I had already begun to do so before the ball had even reached the goal. The finest sensation of my life, to be honest.

As part of the team travelling for the upcoming FIFA Women’s tournament, she still believes England could still lift the trophy despite the threat by injuries. 

11. Lauren Hemp

Lauren Hemp. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Lauren May Hemp (born 7 August 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women’s Super League club Manchester City and the England national team. She was named England Young Player of the Year in September 2016, 2017 and PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022. In 2022 she helped the Lionesses win the Euros.

Despite her love of dance, Lauren developed a passion for football at an early age. Her youth was shaped by her enthusiasm for sports and her drive to be successful in football. Notably, Lauren began her athletic career as a cricket player before switching to the beautiful game of football.

This is a player that the England team cannot afford to miss in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. She has shown exceptional form and is one of the pillars of the team.

12. Georgia Stanway

Georgia Marie Stanway, an attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga and the England national team, was born in England on January 3, 1999. Stanway is regarded as one of the top offensive midfielders of her age and has played for England at several youth levels. Stanway was a finalist for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award in 2017 and the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2016.[4] She was included in the season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League team in June 2018. She received the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award in 2019.

Stanway was a member of the England team that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in June 2022. She scored the game-winning goal against Spain in England’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory with a “22-yard rocket of a shot”. Stanway participated for 89 minutes in the victory over Germany. Stanway was included in the roster for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on May 31, 2023.

13. Mary Earps

Mary Alexandra Earps, an English goalkeeper for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League and the England national team, was born on March 7, 1993. Prior to joining Reading, she played for FA WSL clubs Bristol Academy, Birmingham City, Doncaster Belles, and Reading as well as for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. At the under-17, under-19, and under-23 levels, Earps has represented England. and in 2017 she earned her maiden senior cap.

As the Lionesses go through the group stages of the Women’s European Championships, Mary Earps has grown to be an essential component of the England machine. But despite being let go by her previous manager Phil Neville, she has gone a long way to be here.

Earps is ecstatic to be back on the team after worrying that she may never get the chance to serve her nation. It’s been a crazy, crazy year, she said on Lionesses Live. I’ve talked a little bit about how I try to make the most of every day in camp since I never thought I’d wear an England shirt again.

14. Abbie McManus

Abbie Mary McManus, an English football player who competes for both the England national team and Leicester City in the FA Women’s Super League, was born on January 14, 1993. She has furthermore competed for England’s under-23 squad.

15. Ellie Roebuck

Ellie Roebuck is an English goalkeeper who competes for Women’s Super League side Manchester City and the England national team. She was born on September 23, 1999. She has previously competed for England at the youth level.

Roebuck was a member of the England team that took home the bronze medal at the 2018 U20 World Cup in France, however she didn’t play in any of the games. Roebuck was chosen as one of the two goalkeepers for the Great Britain women’s Olympic football squad for the 2020 Olympics, it was announced on May 27, 2021. On July 21, 2021, she made her debut in a 2-0 victory over Chile. Roebuck was a member of the England team that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in June 2022. Roebuck was selected for the team for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on May 31, 2023.