When asked about how she dealt with prolific Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw in her side's 2-1 win in the WSL in November, the England ace told The Athletic: “I’m at the stage of my career where I don’t want to be taken for granted, I want to push and (prove) I can go toe-to-toe with these players."
Ahead of the Chelsea match, she said: “When I look at my trajectory as a player and the next few years, which are ultimately going to be my prime years as a centre-back, I said to myself, ‘This is yours for the taking. This is your moment. You know within you how good you are, it’s just time to show it and share it with the people around you.’
“That’s how I view football — it’s an opportunity to share and give to others. When I feel most full, empowered and emboldened to be myself, that’s when I can put out the best performances. Ultimately, that warrants respect and not being taken for granted," he continued.
“Too often in the past, I’ve just ‘been there’. Knowing I can be more, and that being reflected in my performances this season, I look back but more so look forward and say, ‘How can I continue to do this and continue to build on what I know is me and is going to push me on to be the player I know I can be?’.”
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