One of the costs of the world waking up to the excellence of Keira Walsh is that space has started to shrink around her. Against Haiti, in England’s opening World Cup game, the Lionesses’ deep-lying midfielder was the focus of attention and heavily marked. Cutting off such a vital conduit to the attack stifled the team’s threat, particularly through the middle. With Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby absent from the tournament because of injury, Walsh’s vision is all the more important.
Denmark are up next on Friday and Walsh says the experience was not new. “I was used to it at Man City – it happened quite a lot in the WSL,” the Barcelona player says. “I don’t necessarily think it’s just me; I think a lot of teams are trying to stop holding midfielders in general because that’s where football is going now. A lot of teams play through midfield. We have a lot of other top players so if I’m marked that’s one less player for them in and around the space.”
