England expects: Jordan Nobbs' insider's guide to Phil Neville's squad at Women's World Cup 2019

Phil Neville speaks to his England players during a World Cup warm-up match
Phil Neville speaks to his England players during a World Cup warm-up match Credit: PA

Jordan Nobbs, the England and Arsenal midfielder, misses the World Cup through injury. Instead she will be writing exclusively for the Telegraph throughout the four-week tournament. Here she takes us through Phil Neville's 23-player squad.

Carly Telford

Age: 31

Club: Chelsea

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 17

The yellow sunshine of the team - one of the most kind-hearted and funniest people I know. She lost her mum recently but has been the same character around the team, and to still support everyone else while going through something so horrendous shows she has a strength like no other.

Karen Bardsley

Age: 34

Club: Manchester City

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 76

She thinks outside the box when it comes to caring about her teammates. In the past, she’s given little Post-it notes to every player at tournaments to make everyone feel more confident.

Karen Bardsley
Karen Bardsley likes to leave Post-it notes for her team-mates to boost their confidence Credit: Getty Images

Mary Earps

Age: 26

Club: VFL Wolfsburg

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 5

Mary’s been involved with the squad for quite a long time. She is a hard trainer who just goes for it every day. She’s a very easy-going, light-hearted person. She’s competitive and has a strong drive to be part of the team.

Lucy Bronze

Age: 27

Club: Olympique Lyonnais

Position: Defender

Caps: 67

One of the most competitive people I’ve ever met - that’s why we love her. She’s one of those annoying people who’s good at everything. Her dad is Portuguese, so she can speak that, as well as the French she’s learned at Lyon.

Demi Stokes

Age: 27

Club: Manchester City

Position: Defender

Caps: 50

I’ve known Demi since the age of seven - we went to our first trial together. We were two little dots kicking a ball about in the park. She loves her food and can run like no other. She’s been through a lot and I’m so proud to have a friend like her.

Rachel Daly

Age: 27

Club: Houston Dash

Position: Defender

Caps: 21

Rachel is very loving and genuine, one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet. She is best friends with Millie Bright, her partner in crime, and you won’t see them apart. A versatile footballer who is currently playing America, she’s not scared to leave her comfort zone.

Alex Greenwood

Age: 25

Club: Manchester United

Position: Defender

Caps: 36

Alex is from Liverpool, so she’s very big into her heels, her dresses and her eyelashes. She took a gamble to play at Manchester United, but being captain there has developed her into a top international with a cracking left foot. Her and her boyfriend, Sheffield United footballer Jack O’Connell, both got promoted this year.

Alex Greenwood in action
Alex Greenwood has developed her into a top international with a cracking left foot Credit: Reuters

Steph Houghton

Age: 31

Club: Manchester City

Position: Defender

Caps: 104

The way she has carried herself as a captain over such a length of time makes her a true legend. To be a captain, you have to have that balance - she knows when to relax and when to pick the team up. She takes a lot more on her shoulders than the outside world can see and has always been someone I’ve looked up to.  

Millie Bright

Age: 25

Club: Chelsea

Position: Defender

Caps: 26

Millie is a big softie - but on the pitch, she’s aggressive and strong, and no one wants to go into a challenge with her. She’s a top person and I’m looking forward to seeing her shine on a world stage.

Abbie McManus

Age: 26

Club: Manchester City

Position: Defender

Caps: 12

I haven’t known Abbie that long but she came straight into the starting line up, which shows her quality. She has just made a big move to Manchester United and I think we’re all looking forward to the development of such a huge club. She is good friends with Toni Duggan and they’re always playing jokes.

Abbie McManus in training
Abbie McManus is good friends with Toni Duggan  Credit: Lynne Cameron

Leah Williamson

Age: 22

Club: Arsenal

Position: Defender

Caps: 6

Leah is a young talent and her ability to play out from the back shines above the rest. She has over 100 Arsenal appearances already and I’m sure she will captain England one day. She’s also the squad DJ - the heart and soul of the party. There isn’t a song she doesn’t know.

Jade Moore

Age: 28

Club: Reading

Position: Midfielder

Caps: 45

Off the pitch, Jade has a big voice and is always trying to push us all. She’s also a physio with her own clinic, which I really admire. Her aggression on the pitch gives her something no other midfielder in this squad has. She’s a little terrier.

Jade Moore in action against Denmark
Jade Moore is a terrier on the pitch Credit: Getty Images

Keira Walsh

Age: 22

Club: Manchester City

Position: Midfielder

Caps: 14

I really get on with Keira. She’s been incredible over the past year and shown what a top talent she will be for England as one of our most technical players.

Jill Scott

Age: 32

Club: Manchester City

Position: Midfielder

Caps: 134

The joker of the team but a true England legend with an engine anyone would kill for. She would admit she’s not the tidiest person but she’s constantly making people laugh. She is level-headed and has been through it all - whenever she voices her opinion, it’s about respect. She doesn’t talk constantly about how tough she had it as a footballer but demonstrates how everyone should act, and is so proud of how the women’s game is progressing.

Jill Scott is the joker of the England team
Jill Scott is the joker of the England team Credit:  Lynne Cameron

Lucy Staniforth

Age: 26

Club: Birmingham City

Position: Midfielder

Caps: 8

I used to go out with Lucy on a weekend in Newcastle, partying. Her mum and dad travel the world to watch her. She’s quite a nervous person because she is so determined to do well and be a part of the squad. Hopefully she now believes that being selected makes her a huge part of the team. She has a set piece on her like no other.

Karen Carney

Age: 31

Club: Chelsea

Position: Midfielder

Caps: 138

The wizard in the team, she’s really honest and wants to look after all the girls. Since I’ve been out of the squad, she’s probably texted me the most out of everyone. She’s not someone I would have expected to keep in touch, but I think that shows her character and mentality - she understands the hard times in football. She’s also been a vegan for about a year now, I think because she wanted to try something new to help her body to recover.

Georgia Stanway

Age: 20

Club: Manchester City

Position: Midfielder

Caps: 6

Georgia's the baby of the squad. She posted a tweet recently of her as a teenager with Steph Houghton at an FA Cup final - not the best haircut! She is quite quiet still in team meetings but her confidence on the field is high because she has a strike like no other. You want to put your arm around and support her along her journey because she’s so easy to get along with.

Georgia Stanway
Georgia Stanway is the baby of the England squad Credit: Reuters

Toni Duggan

Age: 27

Club: FC Barcelona

Position: Forward

Caps: 71

She has the knack of having the perfect hair and the perfect eyelashes - she’s a typical Liverpool girl. She scores big goals in big moments. The team joker, she’s not scared to show her personality, and I think she can make this tournament her own.

Ellen White

Age: 29

Club: Birmingham City

Position: Forward

Caps: 80

Ellen is someone who would go into a sliding challenge one million per cent. She’s one of the fittest players in the world. She has two cats at home, and I’m sure out in France she’ll find one to nurture somewhere. Aylesbury Council also gave her the freedom of the town in 2016.

Ellen White is one of the fittest members of the England squad
Ellen White is one of the fittest members of the England squad Credit: Lynne Cameron

Fran Kirby

Age: 25

Club: Chelsea

Position: Forward

Caps: 37

Known as ‘Mini-Messi’, she’s quiet off the field and keeps herself to herself - she does the talking on the pitch. She’s a strong human being.

Nikita Parris

Age: 25

Club: Manchester City

Position: Forward

Caps: 32

Keets is just so passionate: she likes to show her emotion and is not scared to say what she thinks. She is cheeky and never shy of having a joke at Phil Neville’s expense.

Nikita Parris with her England team-mates 
Nikita Parris is not scared to say what she thinks Credit: PA

Beth Mead

Age: 23

Club: Arsenal

Position: Forward

Caps: 12

Beth has a heart of gold - she’s really outgoing. She followed the same journey as me - Boro, Sunderland, Arsenal - and was a tremendous part of our league title win this season. She’s become one of the best wingers in England, whether she’s crossing it or ‘crotting’ it - the cross-shot.

Jodie Taylor

Age: 32

Club: Reign FC

Position: Forward

Caps: 42

She is caring, understanding and has got me through some tough times. She won the golden boot at the Euros but she is a coffee addict. We’ll be on the coach and Jodie’s first question will be, ‘Are we having a coffee stop?’  

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