Leah Williamson has praised the form of Alessia Russo ahead of England’s Women’s Nations League double-header against Belgium, starting in Bristol. The Arsenal forward has been in exceptional form, scoring 14 goals in her past 21 games for club and country, including two in a crucial Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Williamson, who captains England, highlighted Russo’s character and confidence, noting that while she is widely regarded as a kind and well-liked teammate, a No 9 must possess a certain level of self-belief. She emphasized the importance of Russo maintaining her current form, acknowledging both her talent and work ethic. According to Williamson, Russo’s goal-scoring exploits are not only boosting her own confidence but also benefiting the entire team.
England’s head coach also acknowledged the strong form of Russo and several other squad members following a series of high-intensity club matches. With two English clubs reaching the Champions League semi-finals, she noted the rising confidence among players, adding that recent competitive matches had elevated performance levels.
Despite the positive momentum, England faces some injury concerns ahead of their clash with Belgium. Both Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly will miss the first match due to minor injuries, though there is optimism they may return for the second fixture. Kirby was seen training individually, while Kelly was the only squad member absent from Thursday’s session. The team is also without key players such as Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, and Georgia Stanway due to long-term injuries.
One of the main selection dilemmas lies in goal, with the choice between Hannah Hampton and Mary Earps remaining uncertain. The team currently shares the top spot in their Nations League group with Portugal, having secured four points from two matches, including a 1-0 win over world champions Spain at Wembley in February. Two victories against Belgium, ranked 20th in the world, could significantly strengthen their position in the group. However, past encounters serve as a cautionary tale, as England lost their previous meeting with Belgium in October 2023.
Beyond the Nations League, the team is also preparing for the European Championship in July. The head coach acknowledged the need to balance immediate results with long-term planning, aiming to evaluate player availability and form while ensuring England remains competitive in the group stage. While securing victories against Belgium is a priority, the broader goal remains assembling a strong squad for the upcoming Euros.
