Ella Toone may have started this international break abroad, but she looks set to come out of it with her chances of going to Brazil next summer strengthened.
Toone was ruled out for the World Cup play-offs against Greece after struggling for form at the start of the season with Manchester United.
England boss Sarina Wiegman admitted Toone’s performances had not been up to the expected standard and issued a challenge to the two-time Euro winner.
The experienced coach was keen to see how Toone would respond, both on and off the pitch. The results have impressed the usually stoic Wiegman.
A disappointed Toone admitted to watching Greece’s games on TV and admitted to reporters after her final WSL match that she would use the drop as “fuel to get back even better”.
She then went to Spain to recover mentally and physically.
Ella Toone has struggled for form at club level this season
Instead of relaxing by the pool in Marbella, Toone put in the work to make sure she returned to her club in good shape.
Then came the call from Wiegman – one gratefully accepted by the midfielder, even if he is likely to be benched for the next two games.
Toone doesn’t care. She just wants to be a part of things again, even if it means a last-minute scramble across Europe.
Toone (left) alongside Sarina Wiegman
It all made Wiegman smile. She wanted a professional and motivated reaction from one of her players, and she got it.
Wiegman wants to take all her trusted lieutenants to Brazil, giving them the chance to go into battle together one last time before she calls time on her tenure in England.
Toone is in that select group. It seems that overcoming this obstacle has made her even more respected by her coach.
England have lacked depth in midfield in recent years. Since the retirement of Fran Kirby, Toone, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway have largely been the first choice trio.
That may no longer be the case.
Wiegman was impressed by Toone’s response
Twenty-year-old Lexi Potter’s form at Chelsea cannot be ignored, while Erica Meg Parkinson, who is just 18, is a regular starter in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Then there’s Lucia Kendall, who is well-liked by Wiegman, while Laura Blinkilde Brown and Grace Clinton have just won the Women’s Super League (WSL) with Manchester City.
Despite the increased competition, Wiegman admits the big games are “not the time for rotation.”
That’s another positive Toone can take from this situation.
If she can rediscover her best form for Manchester United, Toone could once again become the player Wiegman turns to when the stakes are highest.
England are planning plenty of such occasions this season, and Toone seems determined to make sure she is there for as many of them as possible.
