INTERVIEW: England legend Jill Scott has lavished Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses in praise as they seek to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 with victory over Wales on Sunday
Lauren James has the class to make the difference for England this summer – but Leah Williamson and Hannah Hampton are also worth their weight in gold to Sarina Wiegman. That’s the verdict of Lionesses legend Jill Scott as the Three Lions bid to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Championships with victory against Wales on Sunday.
Chelsea star James dazzled in the 4-0 demolition of the Netherlands, netting twice, and Scott is adamant the 23-year-old possesses the class to fire England to glory in Switzerland. She said: “Lauren has been brilliant. She’s one of those players like Kelly Smith and Fran Kirby that can make something out of nothing. “As soon as she got half a yard on Wednesday, I was up off my seat because I knew it was flying in. Her technical ability is one of the best I’ve ever seen in the women’s game.
“She’s grown so much since working under Emma Hayes at Chelsea, she can be the difference but in this team, the girls do their job roles to help her flourish.”
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Scott, who was on set at Coronation Street yesterday for the FA’s Big Football Day powered by The National Lottery, was not surprised to see England goalkeeper Hampton’s stunning distribution on display against Holland.
The 38-year-old also had huge praise for Lionesses captain Williamson as the Arsenal defender continues to showcase her quality.
Scott continued: “Hannah’s pass the other day reminded me of when I went on loan to Aston Villa.
“At the time, I was totally in awe of her passing, it was the best I’d ever seen from a goalkeeper.
“She almost has a sat nav on her foot, I was talking about it before the game and then to see that pass, wow!
“We have to give her massive credit because she’s come into the tournament with the weight of being England’s No.1 which is the most pressurised position on the pitch, but she’s taken it in her stride.
“Leah is a massive player for both club and country, she has the ability to play in virtually any position on the pitch.
“She always leads by example with her performances and it reflects throughout the team.”
Scott remains confident the defending champions can retain the trophy, adding: “Wales have done really well to qualify for their first tournament.
“Their fans have also been superb but everyone expects England to win and I believe they can make the final. “You can’t overlook Spain, they play amazing football but we’ve got results against them in the past. They wouldn’t scare me but I think they deserve respect. “This is also one of the best French teams I’ve seen too, they would be the two nations I’d highlight but on their day, I think England can beat both of them.”
Scott, who won an incredible 161 caps for the Three Lions, spoke of her pride following her involvement in The National Lottery’s Big Football Day.
She concluded: “I don’t think people realise that the National Lottery has invested £6billion into grassroots sport, something girl’s football has benefited immensely from.
“I’m a massive soap fan and to come down to Coronation Street, one of the most-iconic streets in the country, was something I had to come back from Switzerland for.
“The growth of the women’s game is really difficult to put into words, we’ve now built a fanbase that will be with the Lionesses through thick and thin.”
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