Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall is backing Lauren Hemp to fire England to World Cup glory.
For all the names being bandied about ahead of the Women’s World Cup, little fuss is being made of the Manchester City star. But those who have kept an eye on England will know the threat the 22-year-old poses, and the crucial role she’s set to play in the Lionesses' bid to triumph Down Under.
Her marauding runs down the touchline and crosses into the box have become a staple of the Lionesses’ attack under Sarina Wiegman and she's set to be a key player when they kick off their campaign.
And Eidevall has tipped Hemp to not only relish a huge summer, but believes she will be crucial to England's hopes of claim a first-ever Women's World Cup trophy.
“On her day, there are very few better,” said Eidevall, who will be part of the BBC ’s World Cup punditry team in Australia and New Zealand.
“She will be pivotal for England this tournament. If England do go far, as I back them to, I think she could stand out as a star of the World Cup.”
Eidevall is familiar with the menace Hemp can be having seen the winger open the scoring against Arsenal inside the first five minutes to help City claim an 2-1 league win back in February. Hemp combined with fellow winger and England teammate Chloe Kelly with the goal, cleverly running off Noelle Maritz and getting the better of Lotte Wubben-Moy to fire City into an early lead.
Hemp has scored 10 times in 38 appearances for her country, but hasn't notched since she opened the scoring against reigning world champions USA in October.
But while Hemp has yet to score or assist for England this calendar year, the winger heads to Australia and New Zealand in fine form having provided 10 assists and 10 goals across all competitions for City, with seven of her goals arriving since January. And with Hemp on song, Eidevall believes England have more than enough to go all the way despite the slew of high-quality opposition in their path.
“Why not? Despite some injuries and a lot of discussion about those injuries, they remain one of the best teams in world football,” Eidevall said. “They have got superb players, a great manager and don’t forget, they go into this tournament as Champions of Europe.
"I think they have a good chance of going one step further and becoming world champions.”
