Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing Lianne Sanderson gives her best XI for England
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in less than a week and eyes will be on England’s Lionesses as the reigning European champions head in with major expectations, despite a slew of injuries.
Sarina Wiegman led England are one of the favourites for the World Cup but injuries to captain Leah Williamson and attackers Beth Mead and Fran Kirby have affected their standing. Williamson led the Lionesses to European glory last year and Mead won the Golden Ball and was tied for the Golden Boot.
Former England forward, Lianne Sanderson, talked to the bettingexpert team to determine what can be England’s best starting XI for the World Cup in light of the injuries to Williamson, Mead and Kirby.
In this article:
- Rachel Daly as a full-back will allow Alessia Russo to play up front
- Chloe Kelly should play on the left with Lauren James on the right
- Lauren Hemp can play an important role off the bench
Rachel Daly as a full-back will allow Alessia Russo to play up front
Putting in Daly, the 2022-23 WSL top scorer, as a full-back is a major call but Sanderson explains that it would allow Wiegman to play Russo and in her opinion, it would make XI stronger.
“I believe in putting your best 11 out on the field and having Rachel Daly in the backline and Alessia Russo upfront we would be starting our best 11.”
“Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze at fullback.”
“The only question mark I have and it’s not about ability but does Rachel Daly start in the left back position and Alex Greenwood goes into centre back?”
“If Millie Bright isn’t fit then Alex Greenwood can do a job there. Jess Carter, Esme Morgan can do a decent job if called upon but if I were to pick a pairing of Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright it’s far superior when it comes to football.”
Chloe Kelly should play on the left with Lauren James on the right
The midfield was an easy pick for Sanderson but up front she suggested a slight change for Chloe Kelly. Sanderson would prefer to have Kelly on the left so that she can cut in, and have Lauren James on the left with Russo leading the line.
“Obviously Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone in midfield.”
“Personally I would start Chloe Kelly on the left and Lauren James on the right with Russo down the middle.”
“I know Kelly prefers the opposite side but cutting in on her right foot would be good.”
Lauren Hemp can play an important role off the bench
Lauren Hemp, of course, did not feature in Sanderson’s XI and her reason was Hemp’s underwhelming performances at the Euros, where Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead stepped up.
“Lauren Hemp is a good player but she was quite underwhelming in the Euros. Kelly played her way into the team.”
“Everyone expected Lauren Hemp to be the player of the tournament. No one was talking about Mead. Mead had a brilliant tournament and was so good.”
Sanderson, however, still expects Mead to play an important role in the team, even if it’s from the bench.
“Meanwhile Hemp didn’t play to the levels despite the team winning. We didn’t see the Lauren Hemp we know. I still think she’ll play and I hope she does well.”
