England and Manchester United midfielder Katie Zelem remains optimistic about maintaining a connection with their fans back home despite competing in the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The memorable Euro 2022 victory over Germany, witnessed by over 87,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium, set a new record for a women's international game in Europe. The incredible support throughout the tournament played a pivotal role in the Lionesses' journey to the final. However, when Sarina Wiegman's side takes on Haiti in their opening group-stage match in Brisbane on July 22, they will be far from home.
Nonetheless, Zelem believes that despite the distance, the Lionesses will still receive the support of their fans in England. "One of our main priorities is to connect with our fans," she expressed to the Mirror.
"This includes passionate football enthusiasts and young girls aspiring to follow in our footsteps. We want to be relatable and establish a connection with our fans as much as possible. Even though we're on the other side of the world this summer, it remains crucial for us to showcase our personalities and demonstrate that we are not just footballers, but people too."
Zelem was initially included in England's 28-player preliminary squad for last year's Euros but did not make the final cut. However, after a successful season with Manchester United, helping the team qualify for the Champions League and reach their first-ever FA Cup final, the 27-year-old has secured her place among the 23 players heading down under next month.
While her primary focus will be on securing more silverware for the Lionesses, Zelem admits she will have to utilize her downtime to study for her master's degree in Sports Business. "We'll be out there for a long time, so we need something to keep us entertained," she shared. "I'm currently pursuing a master's degree, so I have some lectures to catch up on because I'm quite behind."
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