As one of many world’s high worldwide sides the vast majority of the England squad are recognised as having among the finest gamers on the planet.
However there may be nonetheless the occasional underrated Lioness. Step ahead full-back Niamh Charles.
The Chelsea defender usually goes beneath the radar, however she is likely one of the most dependable performers within the WSL. Right here’s all the things you’ll want to know.
Niamh Charles: Her profession up to now
Born in Merseyside, Charles joined Liverpool academy as a young person, initially as a ahead.
A senior debut adopted in 2016, towards Sunderland, with Charles simply 16-years-old on the time.
Out and in of the staff throughout her first few seasons as a senior participant, she managed to contribute three targets in 2017/18 – serving to the Reds to a sixth-place end. In 2018. She was additionally voted because the ‘Rising Star’ on the North-West Soccer Awards.
The membership’s subsequent struggles noticed them relegated on the finish of the covid curtailed 2019/20 season, with Charles transferring to WSL rivals Chelsea – a staff she had beforehand scored towards on a number of events.
Charles arrived in west London as an attacking participant, however working with Emma Hayes would see her develop right into a full-back, able to working on both facet.
On the finish of her first season with the Blues, Charles was given the nod at left-back within the Champions League ultimate, the youngest participant on the sector.
Though it might finish in a disappointing 4-0 defeat, Charles had loved a really breakthrough season.
She had additionally acquired her first senior England call-up over the course of that season, with a debut following in April 2021 in a pleasant towards France.
Remaining within the nationwide pool following Sarina Wiegman’s arrival as supervisor, Charles narrowly missed out on a spot within the victorious Euro 2022 squad, one of many three gamers lower.
However one other spectacular 2022/23 season at membership degree meant that simply 12 months later she was a part of the Lionesses squad on the World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
With England adopting a 3-4-1-2 system, Charles was deployed in a barely extra unfamiliar wing-back position because the Lionesses thrashed China 6-1 to advance to the knockout levels.
The Chelsea defender would additionally function as an alternative within the semi-final win over Australia, however remained on the bench for the ultimate defeat towards Spain.
Her 2024/25 season was disrupted, after Charles dislocated her shoulder in pre-season.
Nonetheless, she would return within the December, earlier than going onto make her 150th look for the Blues and successful the home treble with Chelsea.
Her efforts with the Blues within the marketing campaign earned her a spot in Wiegman’s Euro 2025 squad, which can be her first ever senior European Championship.
