Potter’s the present, not just the future after impressive England debut

Key points

• Lexi Potter started and played 60 minutes in her England debut against Greece.
• England won 5-0 in Leicester and 8-1 on aggregate.
• Potter had a goal disallowed and impressed manager Sarina Wiegman.

Lexi Potter made her England debut as a starter in a 5-0 win over Greece at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. The 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder played 60 minutes and had a goal disallowed.

The result gave England an 8-1 aggregate win in Women's World Cup qualifying. Potter's performance raised the question of whether she could be in England's World Cup squad next summer, and possibly the starting XI.

What Potter said

Potter told ITV Sport the occasion was "really special" and that she was happy and proud. She said she was a bit nervous before the game and lost her phone in the rush, but enjoyed herself once she got on the pitch.

She described the debut as almost a dream come true, saying playing for her country was what she dreamed of as a young girl.

She's composed, she's calm and she appears older than what you think she is.

— Georgia Stanway

What Wiegman said

England manager Sarina Wiegman told ITV Sport that Potter showed some nerves, which she called completely normal. Wiegman said England had kept an eye on her and that she did really well, both in camp and as a starter for Chelsea.

Wiegman said a first England start is a big moment and that Potter's positioning showed she was ready. She noted Potter scored a goal that was disallowed.

Squad competition

England can take 26 players to the World Cup, a first in the women's tournament. That means six or seven midfielders will be in the squad.

With Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway certainties, Potter is competing with Laura Blinkilde Brown, Erica Meg Parkinson, Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Lucia Kendall for the remaining places.