England welcome two fresh faces to the senior set-up as Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown receive their first call ups to face the USA and Switzerland in the upcoming international break.
The young stars spoke to the media during the week as the Lionesses prepare to host the USA this Saturday evening at Wembley Stadium. The pair reflected on how it felt to get their first phone call from Sarina Wiegman inviting them into the senior set-up.
“I actually missed her first call,” admitted Leicester City’s Mace. “I checked my phone and then called the number straight back and it was Sarina. She said just to come in and showcase what I can do and see what I can bring to the team.”
“I saw my phone said Sarina was ringing me and I answered the phone and she said that we want to bring you to this camp,” recounted Manchester City’s Blindkilde Brown. “I phoned my parents straight away to tell them the news and they were just really proud of me.”
Mace has made herself known to Wiegman after featuring heavily for the Foxes since making the move from City over the summer. The 21-year-old described her England call up as a “dream” after being handed her spot in the squad.
“I think to make sure we leave with no regrets,” she said. “I want to give my all and learn from these players, be confident and have no regrets when I leave.”
“England carry something special and to be a part of that is a dream come true and it’s just about working hard now to learn and showcase what I can do to bring something to the team.”
Laura Blindkilde Brown has showcased her talent since arriving at Man City over from Aston Villa back in January. The midfielder recently scored in City’s 2-0 victory over Hammarby in the UEFA Women’s Champions League at Joie Stadium.
The midfielder echoed Mace’s sentiment about having “no regrets” during the upcoming international break. “It’s about coming in, working really hard and also enjoying it,” she said. “At the end of the day, I want to leave camp having no regrets and showcasing what I can do.”
Mace and Blindkilde Brown have been on the journey together through the England youth age groups, and receiving their first senior call-up together is “really special”. The pair praised the youth set-up in helping them both forge a pathway into the senior squad.
“It’s a really good set up in all the England age groups,” explained Mace. “I think what they have put in place leading into the senior team is very good. They prepare you from a young age for what it’s going to be like and it’s been really good when we have been there.”
Blindkilde Brown followed on: “We’ve always wanted to play for the senior team. In the 23s, what we are taught there really aligns with the senior team. So when we do take the step up, it’s easier to come into the senior team because we know what they want from us.
“The likes of Aggie (Beever-Jones) Jess (Naz) and Grace (Clinton), who have made the step up shows that there is a real pathway for us.”
