Rising Star Grace Fisk Joins Lionesses Squad
West Ham’s 22-year-old defensive prodigy Grace Fisk has received her first senior England Women call-up, marking a significant milestone in her promising career. The former University of South Carolina standout, who joined West Ham in December, brings extensive youth international experience—including captaining England’s bronze-medal winning squad at the 2018 FIFA U20 World Cup.
Fisk replaces Arsenal’s Beth Mead, who suffered an injury during her club’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool last week. This strategic shift highlights manager Phil Neville‘s commitment to nurturing young talent ahead of Euro 2021.
Tactical Reshuffle: Neville’s Youth Revolution
The 23-player squad traveling to defend England’s SheBelieves Cup title in America features five other members of Fisk’s 2018 U20 World Cup squad. Neville‘s selection signals a deliberate pivot toward youth development, with Everton’s Chloe Kelly—the Toffees’ top scorer this season—earning her spot after a strong debut against Austria in November.
Notable omissions include veteran striker Jodie Taylor and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, reinforcing Neville’s statement: “Young people can surprise you with what they can do.”
Form Players Rewarded: Beth England’s Redemption Arc
Chelsea’s Bethany England headlines the attacking selections after a sensational season (18 goals in 20 appearances), trailing only Vivianne Miedema in the WSL scoring charts. Her inclusion completes a remarkable turnaround after missing the 2019 World Cup squad.
Neville praised her development: “She’s playing in a team full of confidence… without doubt, she and Ellen White are England’s best center-forwards on form.”
Tournament Outlook: Lionesses Face Ultimate Test
England will battle world champions USA, Japan, and Spain in the round-robin tournament (March 5-11). This serves as a crucial measuring stick for Neville‘s young squad against three teams ranked in FIFA’s top 10.
Key Squad Highlights:
- Experience Anchor: Steph Houghton (Manchester City) leads a defense featuring Fisk and Alex Greenwood
- Midfield Maestros: Jordan Nobbs returns after World Cup injury heartbreak
- Youth Movement: 19-year-old Lauren Hemp and US-based Alessia Russo join training
Betbuzz365 Verdict: Calculated Gamble for Long-Term Success
Neville‘s squad selection reflects a bold vision prioritizing development over short-term results. While the absence of established names like Taylor risks experience gaps, the inclusions of Fisk, Kelly, and England demonstrate England’s impressive talent pipeline.
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Full Squad:
(List players as in original with clean formatting)
What’s your take on Neville’s youth-focused approach? Can the Lionesses defend their SheBelieves title with this squad? Share your thoughts below!
