Below we take a look at how the Lionesses would line-up if the squad was picked solely on players ShePlays Fantasy League scores during the 2019/20 campaign.
When it comes to the England Lionesses, a whole host of options are available to Phil Neville. Does the England women’s boss choose his team on form? Will he choose experience? Will the squad consist of the same core as normal?
With England in a current ‘crisis’ of defeats and Neville leaving before the 2021 European Championships, we have put together an alternate England side using the ShePlays points system for the 2019/20 WSL season.
Obviously, our side does not factor in ‘experience on the international stage’ or any players currently playing away from the top tier of the English domestic league system including overseas.
Below we have put together an England side of the highest scoring players from across the season in the most suitable formation:
Starting in goal, Manchester City’s Ellie Roebuck was the standout star. Scoring 138 points in her first season as a Number One, the youngster was the highest scoring goalkeeper by a way. The 20-year-old has five senior caps to her name her so far and we expect her to be a feature in the national squad for years to come!
We have gone with a 5-2-3 formation for our England side with a mix of experience and some ‘surprise’ additions in the back line.
At full/wing back, using the ShePlays points system, it would be two debutants for the Lionesses. The highest scoring natural left back was Danielle Turner of Everton. The 28-year-old has been with the Merseyside team since 2014 and scored 143 points last season. She has appeared for the U23 national side but is yet to feature at senior level.
On the other side it would be another debutant with Ashleigh Neville the highest scoring natural right back. The Spurs defender has had a meteoric rise over the last few years, being a full-time teacher just two years ago! She has proved herself in the professional game scoring 120 points last season while becoming a star in North London. The 26-year-old has not appeared for the Lionesses at any age level but has proved her worth at the top level.
In the centre of defence, England Captain Steph Houghton would retain her place having scored 184 points last season, the highest of any England defender. She would be joined by current England centre back partner, Millie Bright who recorded 172 points as well as a third centre back in Houghton’s Manchester City partner, Gemma Bonner. Bonner scored 178 points during a fantastic season with the Citizens. There has been calls for the 29-year-old to be recalled to the squad after surprisingly only having 11 caps to her name!
In midfield we have two players who are no stranger to a senior England side. England’s all-time appearance holder, Fara Williams had a season that should get Neville’s head turning. The Reading midfielder was the highest scoring player in the position scoring 161 points. A natural set piece taker, Williams would bring experience and calmness to this side. Alongside Williams, current England star, Jordan Nobbs would keep her place with 140 points last season.
With a front three in our XI, the outstanding ‘star of the season’ would lead the line. Beth England scored 228 points to be the highest scoring ShePlays player last season. The Chelsea star has recently returned to the England setup and will look to cement her spot in the national side in the coming season. To either side of England would be Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly. Hemp scored 163 points in a breakthrough campaign with Manchester City while Kelly was the star at Everton recording 157 points before earning a move to join Hemp at City this campaign.
On the bench, we would have Sophie Baggaley (99), Mary Earps (93), Leah Williamson (167), Demi Stokes (130), Katie Zelem (137), Keira Walsh (124), Jill Scott (117), Beth Mead (136), Leah Galton (132) and Ellen White (117).
It would be an experienced bench with all but two being regular members of Phil Neville’s ‘current’ squad. There would be first call-ups for Manchester United duo Katie Zelem and Leah Galton who both impressed during United’s debut WSL campaign this season. Sophie Baggaley and Mary Earps would take the back-up goalkeeper jerseys with both being regular starters during the WSL season.
How do you think England would do with this squad?
This piece was written by @etiawneb . The piece is solely based on the scoring system of ShePlays Fantasy League and not personal opinion.