The extent to which this match against a 50th-ranked team, which suffered a 5-0 defeat to Denmark on Friday, can provide insights is open to debate. However, if England can draw one definitive conclusion from this victory, it is this: in Grace Clinton, they have unearthed a generational midfielder around whom they can construct their team for at least the next four major tournaments. The 21-year-old was making only her fourth appearance on Tuesday, yet the class she displayed with nearly every touch of the ball perfectly showcased her talents, clearly indicating why she should be one of the first names on the team sheet. Her emergence onto the international stage in 2024 has come at an ideal moment for a team in need of a fresh infusion of youthful creativity. Her three goals in four Women’s Super League games this season were complemented by a fine header in Coventry.
Even during the warm-up, Clinton exuded an aura of authority with every pass, an ease with each first-time ball flicked out to the full-backs, and a confidence in trapping awkward, high balls. Like many of the best players, she made the simple aspects of football appear deceptively easy, a trend that continued once the match commenced. The Manchester United midfielder demonstrated her aerial prowess and her knack for timing runs into the box to perfection, heading in her second international goal and England’s second of the game. However, focusing solely on her goal would be to overlook her overall performance.
In the first quarter of the game, every contribution Clinton made to England’s possession was positive. Every first touch was impeccable. Whether it was a nonchalant flick down the flank for Maya Le Tissier to chase, a shoulder drop to shimmy past a marker, or a series of give-and-gos, she orchestrated the play like a seasoned pro. Yes, the opposition flattered England and perhaps Clinton too, as she was given ample time on the ball that would not be afforded by top-tier teams. Yet, she generated much of the space herself, constantly scanning, always moving, and showing for the ball with a low, outstretched right palm that her teammates could not ignore. She also demonstrated her defensive value, defying South Africa’s Hildah Magaia with a crucial tackle on the line when the score was 1-0.
There were occasional glimpses of her ability to hold her own in physical contests. When Sinoxolo Cesane nudged her off the ball, she nudged back, as if to say, “Who do you think you’re trying to push?” It would be incorrect to label her flawless or perfect—a rather overhit long-range strike served as a reminder that Clinton is not yet the finished product. However, England visibly weakened once she was substituted for a rest shortly after the hour mark. For those puzzled by her lack of playing time, even for a few minutes, on Friday when she was an unused substitute against Germany, this performance only reinforced the belief that she should have been given a chance at Wembley. Next up, England will host the Olympic champions, the United States, on November 30, and based on Tuesday’s evidence, it would be a travesty if Clinton were not in the Lionesses team for that encounter.
Beyond that, in Clinton, Wiegman has a player who can make a difference at next summer’s European Championships. A player whose creativity could unlock even the tightest defenses, whose physicality could dominate a midfield battle, and whose youthful innocence appears to give her no fear on the ball.
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