Ella Toone exclusive: Lionesses star on bouncing back from World Cup heartache at Euro 2025, why half of Man Utd's season was 'a bit of a write off', Specsavers Best Worst Team & more

Toone is due to join up with the England squad at St George's Park next week as they prepare to resume their UEFA Nations League campaign, with a double-header against Belgium peering over the horizon. Even though the attention is on those back-to-back encounters with the Red Flames, the 25-year-old admitted there is one eye on the Euros as well.

"The last camp that I was in was really positive. We had a lot of conversations about the Euros and what we expect from ourselves, and we know the talent that we have in the squad, it's massive," she said. "We've got a lot of experienced players, but we've also got a lot of players coming through, really exciting players as well. And we know it's a different squad going into this Euros than than what it was the last, but it's really exciting for us. We know each game is going to be tough, but we know we've got a lot of work to do before that and we all have. We're all on the same page in what we want to do.

"We need to make sure that these camps we really work hard together. We make sure that we use every single training session that we can because there's not a lot. And yeah, I think for us it's really exciting and and definitely a tournament that we look forward to. But for now it's focusing on the the Nations League."

England's major strength at Euro 2022 was their ability to change games through the use of their substitutes, with Toone scoring twice off the bench during their quarter-final comeback against Spain and then grabbing the opener in the final with Germany. She has since been promoted to a regular starter by manager Sarina Wiegman and has backed the next wave of impactors to make a similar mark this summer.

"What's so good about the squad that the competition for places is is really difficult," she said. "I think when I first came in and going through the Euros, I knew my role was was to come on and impact games and to be obviously not starting, but making sure that I was ready to come on and and knew my job and knew my role. think as a footballer you you always want to play. You always want to play every game. You always want to start. But to know my role was that I knew that I had to, I had to do it well.

"And I think I did throughout the year, I knew my role and I made sure that I did it well for the team and then fast forward, I'm at a World Cup [in 2023] and starting in games. I think I was ready for it.

"No matter who comes into the squad, everyone knows that they're good enough to play. Everyone knows the role and I think it's a really good squad to be a part of. I think when I started in the World Cup, no one made it difficult for me. Everyone was on board and it's the same with anyone coming into the team. I think I'm quite experienced now. I'm still I'd like to say I'm still young - still young! - with more experience. I've been to two major tournaments now. A regular starter at Manchester United as well, and I know my role when I come onto the pitch and when I'm starting in games. I think for me it's always about making sure I impact the game and and give 100% for the team."

Winning Euro 2022 on home soil was so nearly followed by an even mightier triumph 12 months later. Wiegman's side reached the FIFA World Cup final in Australia, only to fall 1-0 to what history will look back upon as a legendary Spain team. England will head to Euro 2025 in a unique position as both champions and challengers - but are the Lionesses more motivated by defending their title or making up for only securing silver on their last tournament excursion?

"That's a good question," Toone replied with a puff of the cheeks. "I think we've got a not let go of the fact that we won the Euros...but it's been a long time since then. Teams have have grown, teams are a lot better.

"There's a lot more exciting talent in in world football now, and our squad's definitely changed since then as well, which is exciting too. Obviously you've got that feeling of what winning feels like and you obviously want it again. And then we've got the feeling of what it felt like to lose and to fall short at the World Cup. So I think there's a bit of everything really.

"But I think as professional athletes and competitive athletes and players we play for England, you want to win everything. So I think we have that, we've got that teams togetherness, we know what we're capable of and we all know the goals in our heads and that's to win, to win games for England and win tournaments for England. That's what you dream of when you're growing up. So I think there's a bit of everything, but I think there's that belief within the squad as well that we can go on and and do good things."

With Manchester United, Toone has been in excellent form of late after recovering from a calf injury that sidelined her for two months through the winter. Having made her return in style with a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory away at rivals Manchester City, Toone and the Red Devils have since won five games from six to move level on points with second-place Arsenal in the WSL.

"I think the campaign overall, I think the first half we we probably didn't start how we wanted to, there was a few results that didn't go our way and probably not what we expected," Toone said of United's season so far. "But we came back in the second half of the season and we've been smashing it. I think we've won every game apart from one and that's massive for us. I think we've got a lot of momentum. We've been playing really well, we've been really attacking, we've been really full of energy and I think it's really worked for us.

"On a personal level. The first half was a bit of a write-off and I can't really remember much of it. But then coming back from injury, I started really well, got a few goals under my belt and I think for me it's just helping the team every week putting in performances and giving 100%. When I step out onto the pitch and I know that at Manchester United, I'm one of the more experienced players in such a young group. I just want to help them as best I can and I think we've done really well and we've just got to keep going."

United are chasing a spot in next season's Champions League. They made their debut in the competition last season, but were dumped out in the qualifying round by Paris Saint-Germain, falling to a 4-2 aggregate defeat. Their hopes of a second-successive European adventure were dashed after finishing fifth in the WSL in 2023-24, though the season was saved by a historic first-ever FA Cup win.

A third-place finish this season would see United enter in the Champions League first round, while coming second secures qualification to round two instead. They are seven points clear of City in fourth with five games remaining, though end the season with a trio of tricky fixtures - leaders Chelsea at home, City at home and then a trip to Arsenal. An FA Cup semi-final against their local rivals is also on the agenda.

Toone added: "We've got some really big games coming up, but we've got to take each one as it comes and hopefully we can really kick on and get into a Champions League spot for next season."

Toone was speaking to GOAL in association with Specsavers' 'Best Worst Team' campaign. Alongside legendary manager Harry Redknapp, Toone has leant her expertise to Somerset's Tunley Athletic, who lost all 26 of their games last season in the Uhlsport Somerset County League with a goal difference of -137.

"I think it's a really good campaign. It was one that I really wanted to get involved in. I find it really nice to help other people," Toone said.

"And obviously to help Harry Redknapp to help the 'Best Worst Team', it was real fun. When I went down and met all the guys, I really enjoyed it all, a great group of people and all they want to do is enjoy playing football. Hopefully by going down there and and helping them and giving them a little training session and insight into what it's like to be a professional footballer, hopefully that that can help them kick on with with the season and they can get a few wins under the belt.

"I think it's important to me because I like helping people. It was a way that I could use my platform to go in and and help people who were struggling to get wins under the belt. I feel like in my career, I know now how to get the best out of people, I play in a team environment every day and just want the best for the people around me. For me, it was nice to be able to get involved in. It was something that I really wanted to do and and try and help with a little training session that I put on, give them a bit of advice as well."

So is Toone confident her influence will help Tunley Athletic turn their fortunes around? "Yeah, I am to be fair! When I met them, I didn't think they were actually that bad! They've got some really good players, I did a shooting drill and there were some really good finishes, but it's just about bringing it all together and I feel like they've got a really good team off the pitch. You've got a really good environment and I know that in football you've got to make sure that your performances are good on the pitch, but I think when you have that team togetherness off the pitch it really helps and I think they've definitely got that part of it. They're a really good group of people to be around. Hopefully my advice helps, but also with the help of Harry Redknapp, he knows how to win games as well. So I definitely think that'll help as well."

The latest episode of the Specsavers' Best Worst Team series is now available to watch on YouTube, as Ella Toone is called up by Harry Redknapp to give Tunley Athletic a lesson in winning silverware. Subscribe to the Best Worst Team YouTube channel to follow the squad's journey and look out for exclusive content on Specsavers’ social media channels.