Coming off ecstasy and triumph at last summer’s European Championships, England will be full of confidence heading into the 2023 World Cup. But without their captain, some doubts may begin to form. Leah Williamson played an integral part to England’s success last year, firmly reminding everyone why she’s one of the best defenders in the world.
Embed from Getty ImagesSarina Wiegman’s task to replace the Arsenal captain is less than ideal. But luckily for the Three Lions, Wiegman has another fantastic player ready to enter the fold and play more of a critical role at this year’s tournament. Alex Greenwood is a similar prototype from a full-back converted into centre-back over the past couple of years, and should help to put all of those doubts to bed. Here is what Greenwood brings to England in the absence of Leah Williamson.
SWEEPING + COVERING IN BEHIND
Embed from Getty ImagesLeah Williamson excels for her anticipation – reading the game expertly well to make her move and intercept the ball. But she’s also a crusher at the back, loving to throw herself into tackles and go to ground. And with good reason! Williamson won 80% of her tackles in the 2022-23 WSL campaign, more than any defender in England’s squad.
Alex Greenwood on the other hand typically remains more patient, preferring to use her speed and strength to usher a player away from goal and force the error.
Both excellently cover space over the top, sweeping in behind when necessary, and stopping wide attacks when required to stretch themselves out of position. This will be critical for England as opposition sides look for ways to counter-punch the Three Lions and play over the top of the defense, knowing it will be difficult to play through the thirds.
This something Wiegman’s team dealt with heavily last summer, and Greenwood’s pace to come across and time her challenges effectively will be key to the team’s success.
DOMINANCE ON THE BALL
Embed from Getty ImagesAlthough Alex Greenwood is phenomenal with the ball at her feet, the comparisons to Leah Williamson are still difficult to attain. Only Wendie Renard surpasses her tally of 9.8 progressive passes per 90 across the last calendar year, and only Katie Bowen made more progressive carries per 90 (1.8).
Greenwood is an exceptional progressor, and can switch play or spread the play long to a similar degree as the Arsenal captain. But the 29-year-old is not quite as aggressive when it comes to carrying the ball out from the back.
This is something that England will potentially lose by not having Williamson at their disposal, and they might have to rely on progressive carrying coming from someone like Lucy Bronze instead. Encouragingly, Greenwood’s speed could add some threat if she finds time and space to run with the ball.
But when it comes to producing positive moments in the final third, Greenwood adds some advantages. No centre-back across eight of the top leagues in Women’s Football made more passes into the final third (7.98) or key-passes (1.46) than Greenwood.
Embed from Getty ImagesOnly Roma’s Moeka Minami made more shot-creating actions (2.51 to 2.41) in 2022-23. So while she’s not as dynamic of a dribbling or carrying threat, the Manchester City defender is an excellent progressor on the ball, and adds creativity into her final third package.
She’s never afraid to gallop forward, and wants to make her impact felt in every phase. That could be an added bonus for the Three Lions given that she takes many free-kicks and corners for her team, and is completely capable whipping in the type of ball that Peter Drury would call “delicious”.
So while the loss of Leah Williamson may be difficult for England to cope with on the pitch, Alex Greenwood still adds many advantages as a left-footed centre-back, and could be the perfect replacement. England will need to do everything in their power to retain their triumph seen one summer ago, but the loss of Leah Williamson does not make it impossible.
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