Walsh praises Lexi Potter as England’s new midfield hope

Twenty‑year‑old Lexi Potter has earned her first senior England call‑up after a striking start to the Chelsea season, prompting Sarina Wiegman to include the midfielder in the Lionesses’ World Cup qualifying squad. Her partnership with Keira Walsh has helped the Blues keep three successive WSL clean sheets.

Chelsea breakthrough

Potter is a product of Chelsea’s academy and returned to the club after a two‑year loan at Crystal Palace, where she logged twenty appearances. She broke into Sonia Bompastor’s first‑team side last season, earning her inaugural league start against Brighton in March and scoring the decisive goal. The breakthrough cemented her place in the Blues’ midfield rotation.

This campaign Potter has started three of Chelsea’s four WSL fixtures, partnering Walsh in midfield as the Blues enjoy an unbeaten opening to their title bid. Her contributions include a goal in the 2‑0 victory over Birmingham City, reinforcing the defensive solidity that has produced three consecutive clean sheets.

Against Arsenal, Potter featured in a 1‑0 win that displayed her composure in a high‑pressure encounter. Wiegman cited that performance as a key factor in deeming the timing right for Potter’s inclusion in the England set‑up.

Walsh’s endorsement

Walsh said: “If a ball goes past me, I know Lexi’s there cleaning up. We’re working for each other and what’s probably been the most important so far at the start of the season. I’m not surprised by Lexi’s performances. I play with her in training, so I can’t say I’m shocked that she played like that against Arsenal. She’s just really intelligent. She makes me feel really comfortable when I’m playing next to her. The way she sees the game, not many female players understand it the way she does. She’s an exceptional talent and I think she plays beyond her years. She’s got a very calm head on her shoulders and a lot to come. I think she’ll be an incredible player for Chelsea and England in the future.”

Walsh, who debuted for England in 2017, has now surpassed one hundred international caps, underscoring the benchmark Potter is set to follow. Her experience provides a valuable reference point for the young midfielder.

England will face Greece in a double‑header as part of the qualification campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The fixtures are scheduled for later this month.

Image credit: Getty Images. The photograph captures Potter’s celebration after the Birmingham City win.