FORMER England star Rachel Yankey gives her view on the Women’s World Cup currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand.

Yankey is of the opinion that last year’s Euro winners, who have Chelsea star Lauren James among their number, will have their work cut out lifting the greatest prize in sport.

The World Cup is really open this year, but I don’t think you can ever write off the USA

“It’s a really open tournament because of injuries. So many teams have lost so many key players. I think it’s the team that can have the best spirit on their off days when they’re not playing their best matches, and they can come together and go through the tournament without picking up more injuries. 

“These things are really important because I think you could look at Spain, France, America, England, Germany who all have the possibility of winning it. However, if I had to pick a winner, because of mentality and confidence, I don’t think you can ever write off the USA.”

Sofia Smith, Asisat Oshoala and Georgia Stanway are the ones to watch

“Sofia Smith for the USA is one who I’m excited to watch, just to see what she’s got. There is a lot of talk around her, I think she’s going to be a key player for America if they’re to do well. 

“A player that I used to play with, Asisat Oshoala for Nigeria, I think can cause so many upsets. I think in terms of playing against her, it would be really really difficult. 

“A key player for England I think will be Georgia Stanway, in terms of how she drives that midfield. England at the moment don’t seem to be scoring goals in their warm-up games, and I think you need a player that can change the momentum of the game and so I think she’ll be a key player.”

I’m disappointed in the FA after row over bonuses… we have to keep moving forward

“I’m disappointed that the row between the FA and the players happened. Going into a World Cup, you don’t need anything off the pitch that could disturb the build-up to the tournament. 

“After winning the Euros and the way that the WSL is changing, the FA have backed the England team so much and have invested in them so highly. While it  paid off because the team won the Euros, to not have something  agreed and to not have something in place doesn’t look like we’re moving forward. Other nations can start to take over and if you’re a team that wants to be successful you always have to be moving forward and pushing. So that to me is a bit disappointing.

Sarina Wiegman is good enough to manage in the men’s game – she is a winning manager

“I think that would depend on the team, the philosophy and whatever coach they wanted to bring in. Obviously I think when you win the Euros twice with two different teams, it makes you a leading candidate in your own right for whatever job, whether that’s mens football or women’s football, but I think the team would have to be right for whatever she wants to do. The opportunity and the project would have to be the right one for her, but if you’re a winning manager, surely people want successful winning managers.

“Coaching is all about teaching and how you relate to people and how you give them the confidence in how to play as well as the tactical knowledge her and her staff has. So to me, it doesn’t matter about men or women.”

To play football, I had to break down barriers and stand up for what I believed in

“In the early years there was a lot of discrimination regarding that girls shouldn’t be playing football. That is one of the hardest barriers to be able to break, but if you’re willing to challenge, go against what people are saying, stand up for what you believe in and have a go then you can change it over time. So they were probably the biggest barriers for me.”

Interview courtesy of Betway https://betway.com/en/sports