Chelsea defender Jess Carter has been tipped to star for England at Euro 2022
(Picture: The FA via Getty Images)England Euro 2022 star Jess Carter’s first coach has revealed he told her when she was just six that she would one day play for her country.
Dean Brandrick has tipped the Chelsea defender to be a star at Euro 2022 as England prepare to face Norway in Brighton on Monday night in their second match after starting the tournament with a 1-0 win against Austria.
Before hitting the big time, the 24-year-old played for Warwick Juniors in a mixed side before the club set up a girls’ team which scooped countless trophies and league titles with her at the heart of the team.
Mr Brandrick said: “I knew Jess from a very young age, she is more like family for me. She started kicking a ball around aged three or four. Her brothers trained with me and then when she was around six she came along too.
“From the off she was obviously so strong, athletic and talented. She played in midfield for us and she was as good or better than all the boys.
“When I set up the girls’ team for Jess they went on to win everything. Her last game for us was in the County Cup and she made the best tackle I’ve ever seen. The girl was going to score and she came out of nowhere to deny her. That’s Jess all over, she won’t score fancy goals but she is the heartbeat of any side.
“I knew from age six she would play at the top of the game and play for England, I told her as much.”
Carter made the England squad after impressive performances for Chelsea including in Champions League ties.
Mr Brandrick added: “Up until the age of 15 she played football and rugby, she was very talented at both. On Saturdays she would play football with us and on Sunday high-level rugby with Worcester.
“She had to choose between the two and I think she made the right choice. She is a credit to the game. She is like an ambassador she has a natural way with people and listens to them. Moving to play for Chelsea was very daunting for her, but like with everything she has met the challenge head on.”
