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Mixed martial arts Lianne Sanderson: England’s Breakout Star could be Katie Robinson
Ahead of the start of the highly anticipated women’s World Cup, BettingExpert had the pleasure of catching up with former England footballer and broadcaster Lianne Sanderson. Sanderson had a stellar career playing for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Espanyol and Juventus.
Sanderson was part of England’s World Cup squad in 2007 and 2015, earning a third-place medal in the latter.
We spoke to her about her excitement for England’s Katie Robinson and who the breakout stars of this World Cup will be.
In this article:
- England’s Breakout Star could be Robinson
- Le Tissier’ omission a shock
- Thembi Kgatlana highlighted as South Africa’s taliswoman
England’s Breakout Star could be Robinson
The women’s World Cup is now less than a week away and anticipation is continuing to grow ahead of the first game of the tournament. England’s first game takes place on the 22nd of July which sees them take on Haiti.
As with all tournaments, there will likely be a breakout star from the World Cup and Sanderson believes Brighton’s Katie Robinson could be one to look out for.
“With regards to England’s breakout stars, there might be some younger players like Katie Robinson. She might be called upon, from Brighton, what a story that is. I don’t think anybody expected that.”
“The England squad, I would say, picked itself, based on injuries. I think Katie Zelem is in there, deserves it, Laura Coombs is in there. Those players were maybe on the periphery before but now that the injuries have happened, they’ve been given the opportunities.”
Le Tissier’ omission a shock
However, Sanderson expressed her dismay at the treatment of Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier who had flown out with the squad to train but wasn’t selected as part of the squad. Instead she is on standby incase of injuries.
Le Tissier’s omission comes as a surprise after an impressive debut season for United. She had also been called up for the last two international squads.
“One player that I think deserved to be selected is Mary Le Tissier. I think she should have been selected. I would have started with her.”
“So the fact that she’s there, training but she’s not available for selection, I’m not quite sure about that one because I don’t know how you don’t put her in the squad. I just don’t.”
“I know Sarina Wiegman said that it was one of the toughest decisions choosing between Le Tissier and Esme Morgan and I think Katie Robinson could potentially be a player like that, coming off the bench.”
Thembi Kgatlana highlighted as South Africa’s taliswoman
Away from England, Sanderson highlights some other stars she is looking forward to the world seeing display their talents on the global stage including South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and the Republic of Ireland’s Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan.
“But if we’re looking at it on the whole from any team, I’m a big fan of Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa. She has been amazing for Louisville in the NWSL.”
“And although it is yet to be determined how good South Africa will do at the tournament but when you have players like her, or Katie McCabe for the Republic of Ireland, Denise O’Sullivan, I don’t think they’ll be breakout stars but the world will finally be able to see players that play for nations that don’t always get to the big tournaments, being able to do well.”
“Savannah De Melo, for the USWNT. Never been picked for the USWNT ever but gets picked for the World Cup because she’s done so well for Louisville.”
“So, there’s question marks, not on their ability but it’s yet to be determined how much they’ll play.”
