Lucy Bronze pulls out of England squad for the SheBelieves Cup with calf injury
England’s hopes of retaining the SheBelieves Cup they won for the first time last year have taken a huge blow with the news that star player Lucy Bronze will miss the tournament.
Phil Neville’s squad will fly out to the USA this weekend, where they will face hosts and world champions USA in Orlando on March 6, Japan in New York on March 8 and Spain in Dallas on March 11.
But Bronze will not travel, missing her first England games for more than five years, as she has picked up a calf injury and will remain with club Lyon for treatment. She has been replaced in the squad by the uncapped Alessia Russo, who already plays in the States for University team North Carolina Tar Heels.
Another of England’s World Cup stars, Beth Mead, had already been forced out of the tournament because of injury, while the top goalscorer at the 2017 European Championships, Jodie Taylor, was not picked by Neville as he looks to reshape the squad ahead of the Euros on home soil next year.
“Disappointed not to be fit for camp,” Bronze tweeted. “But a good opportunity to some new faces good luck ladies. Haven’t missed a single camp and been present at every single game for the past 5 years. Gonna have massive FOMO [fear of missing out] next week.”
The loss of Bronze cannot be under played as she has been one of the world’s best players for the last four years and, as well as playing in her favoured right back position, has also been used in midfield by Neville.
The She Believes tournament is the most prestigious tournament in women’s football outside of the major championships all though this year’s line up is not as strong as usual.
In the past, at least three of the world’s highest ranked sides have been invited to take part as world leaders the USA like to keep a close eye on the progress of their main rivals for silverware.
But neither Holland, France, Germany or Sweden – who are all ranked above England by Fifa and who will be their main rivals for European success next year – will be involved.
England are currently ranked 7th in the world with Japan 10th and fast-improving Spain up to 13th in the world.
