England versatility is crucial to World Cup progress, insists Alex Greenwood

Alex Greenwood believes the versatility of England players is a key strength going into the World Cup. “We’ve got players who can play in a number of positions, and obviously in a tournament that can go on for seven games it can be important that you’ve got fresh players in different parts of the pitch,” she says. “It’s definitely a strength of ours and something we’ll utilise.”

The Lionesses play their opening match against Haiti next Saturday and on Friday evening played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Canada, which ended 0-0, at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Only two players did not appear in a game featuring unlimited substitutes able to roll on and off, with the goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck and the forward Bethany England both unused while Millie Bright had her first minutes of action since March.

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“It was good,” says Greenwood. “Good to get minutes for people and have more prep time together. [It was] an important time to get a game in as well, with a week to go, so on the whole, really positive.”

Greenwood’s role in Sarina Wiegman’s squad is increasingly important. Having not started a game during the Euros last year, after playing several games alongside Bright while Wiegman experimented with Leah Williamson further forward, the Manchester City defender is expected to partner Bright at the World Cup, after Williamson was ruled out with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

England’s starting left-back at the Euros, Rachel Daly, has earned her place further forward after a golden boot-winning season with Aston Villa, ensuring England’s back four will look very different one year on. The 29-year-old Greenwood has played at left-back and centre-back in recent months for England, as Wiegman has explored different combinations.

“I’m always happy to play for England in either position,” says a relaxed Greenwood, after an hour-long training session and then a small ceremony to present the former Lioness Paddy (Margaret) McGroarty, who flew in from her home in Melbourne, with her legacy cap as the sixth player to officially play for the England women’s team.

“Whatever my role is for the team, I’ll do it the best I can,” Greenwood says. “I think I’ve shown that previously. But, yes, whether it’s left-back or centre-back, I know both roles really well. I’ve played both, obviously more so centre-back as of late, but throughout the majority of my career I’ve been a left-back. So whatever role I’m asked to play, I’ll make sure I’m fully prepared.”

Greenwood will almost certainly start, as one of Wiegman’s most experienced defensive options. It is a different part to the one she played in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, which England lost to the eventual winners, the US. “My role that day was different, I was on the bench, so I had a different outlook on the game, but the pain remains the same,” says Greenwood. “Of course, you don’t want to lose any semi-final. But it’s easily forgotten after last summer when you’re successful and you get a taste of a different medicine. You want to keep that medicine in your mouth.”

England went into the 2019 World Cup with expectations high. This time they go in with a similarly high profile, but now among the favourites to be champions, does that make a difference?

“The expectation never goes away, whether you’re successful or not, but that’s an expectation that we enjoy,” says Greenwood. “Mentally we’re in a very positive place, and that’s from being successful; I think the group is in a very good place. We’ve got some players who experienced last summer, some players who didn’t and come in and want a taste of what it feels like.”