Chelsea's Lexi Potter Gets First England Call-Up — SkimNews
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- Lexi Potter received her first senior England call-up from Sarina Wiegman for October's World Cup qualifying double-header against Greece, following standout WSL form.
- Chelsea's 20-year-old academy graduate played a central role in the 1-0 win over Arsenal and scored in the 2-0 victory over Birmingham, starting alongside Keira Walsh in three of Chelsea's four league matches.
- Potter posted a 93% passing accuracy this season, ranking fourth at Chelsea in tackles and interceptions and third in passing success, with 207 minutes played and not yet on the pitch while her side conceded.
- Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said Potter has been impressively consistent for her age, ex-Lioness Ellen White called her "a special player," and teammate Lucy Bronze said she could become "the next Keira Walsh."
- Potter broke through last season by scoring the winner on her first WSL start against Brighton in March, following a two-year loan at Crystal Palace where she made 20 first-team appearances.
Why it matters: Potter's emergence gives England a potential successor in the number six position Walsh has owned since her 2017 debut. With World Cup qualification in Brazil on the line, Wiegman gets an early look at her most promising long-term option — and Walsh herself benefits, since Bompastor said the veteran now has "more freedom to go forward" with Potter shielding behind her.
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