Man City manager Gareth Taylor has tipped Esme Morgan for a bright future, predicting she could one day be named England captain.
He said: “She’s a really talented player, after working with her for a few weeks, I had really high hopes that she’s going to be the future of Manchester City and a future England captain - she has the potential to do that. She understands how hard she has to work in order to get there, but it’s a really nice reward for Esme after suffering a difficult period last season.”
Morgan had a tough year recovering from a leg fracture that has kept her out of action for almost 12 months. But two months after her return to her club, Sarina Wiegman picked up the phone.
On Tuesday evening, against the Czech Republic, Morgan replaced captain Millie Bright in the 62nd minute with a composed performance alongside City teammate, Alex Greenwood, for her first taste of international duty. Morgan said: “I know quite a lot of the girls from club level as well as previous camps and it’s been so much fun to just catch up with everyone but also to train with them and be around this environment. The standard is so high and I’ve just really enjoyed the challenge of it.”
Morgan, a City fan and season ticket holder since the age of three, joined her childhood club at 16, with a brief spell on loan to Everton before returning to Manchester and rising through the ranks. Taylor has faith she will be part of her country's future. He said: “She’s a really talented player, able to play in a number of positions. Hopefully that will be the first of many caps for her.”
Manchester City host Leicester City on Sunday, with both sides looking to score their first point for the WSL season.
