Alessia Russo: Reinvented for England’s tilt at World Cup glory
Alessia Russo is on the Northern Ireland defender’s shoulder. She receives the ball from Ella Toone and in one fell swoop, turns her marker and slots the ball home to put England 4-0 up in the European Championship group stages. That is Russo at her best.
But that was last year and Russo fulfilled a slightly different role at her first major tournament. She was classed as a super sub, coming on for England’s all-time top scorer Ellen White. The pressure was off and goals against Northern Ireland, Norway and Sweden, including her famous backheel, all came when England were leading by at least two goals.
It felt like Russo was the natural replacement for the retiring White but she had big shoes to fill, and in the autumn there was still debate about who would start up top. Rachel Daly was handed the No 9 England shirt, Russo wears No 23, but it is Russo who has started every game as England striker at this World Cup. With that position comes inevitable added pressure, even though Russo says she is approaching this tournament just the same as last year.
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To add to this, ever since Arsenal made a world-record bid for Russo in January, her move from Manchester United to the London club was the subject of much speculation over the closing months of the domestic season. At times, it was relentless. England manager Sarina Wiegman told players they had to sort out their club transfers before flying to Australia so there was a narrow window to squeeze a lot in. “Towards the end of the season, it was tough and the summer has been tough,” Russo told The Athletic.
Russo has not played badly this tournament, she just has not scored as often as fans may expect. As the No 9, you are naturally judged on goals. In tournament
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