Arsenal legends Dixon and Smith back Lionesses

Lee Dixon believes Phil Neville’s England Lionesses side have a chance to do ‘really well’ in the summer at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, while Kelly Smith tipped them to reach the semi-finals.

Speaking at the London Football awards, Dixon told Yahoo Sport UK the England manager has big ambitions for the tournament which starts on June 7 in Paris.

‘I spoke to him a few weeks ago about the talent he’s got available to him. Going in to a World Cup, in the summer is going to be a big thing for them,’ said former England and Arsenal defender Dixon.

‘I believe in what he’s doing. He talks a brilliant game, he knows the game, and I think the ladies team is only going to benefit from that.’

Fellow Arsenal legend Smith, who was capped 117 times for England, believes the USA will go into the tournament as favourites but backs England to make an impact in France.

Picking out Lucy Bronze – who was shortlisted for the 2018 FIFA Ballon d’Or – and Beth Mead, Smith said the battle for a starting place in Neville’s squad will be tough.

‘It’s the biggest event in world football and these players are going to want to prove a point certainly in Paris,’ said Smith, who played for England at the 2007 and 2011 finals.

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The team are currently playing in the SheBelieves Cup, an invitational four-team tournament that pits England against elite opposition in the form of Brazil, Japan and hosts the USA.

England’s campaign got off to a winning start with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Brazil earlier this week.

‘The USA are a really strong squad, obviously the current holders, I think they’re probably the favourites.’ added Smith.

‘I think England have a chance, I can see them getting to the semi-final, maybe the final. And anything can happen in the final.’

It’ll be tough says Dixon, but Neville is already setting the bar high for his players.

‘He’s going in to the tournament, talking about winning it. That’s a massive step for a coach coming in to a side to do that.’

England play the USA in Nashville on Saturday.