Lexi Potter has received her first senior England call-up for the Women’s World Cup qualifying playoff against Greece. The 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder is one of three uncapped players in Sarina Wiegman’s squad, while Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly have both been left out.
Wiegman was direct about the omission of the pair, explaining that their recent performances had fallen below her standards. “The main reason is the levels weren’t quite what I expected from them on the pitch,” the head coach said.
Potter’s selection follows a strong start to the season at Chelsea, including a starring role in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal, a performance that had driven growing calls for her inclusion. She is joined in the squad by two other uncapped players: the 18-year-old midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, who plays for North Carolina Courage, and the London City Lionesses winger Freya Godfrey. There is also a return after injury for the captain Leah Williamson.
England play the first leg against Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, on Friday 9 October, before the return at Leicester’s King Power Stadium the following Tuesday. Victory across the two games is required to reach December’s second round of the playoffs.
Wiegman framed the tie as a straightforward objective for her side. “We have great respect for Greece, but our expectations of ourselves are clear,” she said. “We are here to win these two games, deliver strong performances, and move one step closer to securing our place at the World Cup. It’s always exciting to reconnect as a group and we are looking forward to getting back together. The players will arrive motivated and ready for the next steps.”
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool), Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride). Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Manchester City), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal). Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Arsenal), Keira Walsh (Chelsea). Forwards: Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).