Alessia Russo: England Striker Would be a Welcome Addition for Beth Mead at Arsenal

Beth Mead Eager to Team Up with Alessia Russo at Arsenal

In a surprising turn of events, England forward Beth Mead has expressed her enthusiasm for the potential partnership with fellow national team-mate Alessia Russo at Arsenal. Reports indicate that Russo is on the verge of joining the Gunners after declining a contract extension from Manchester United.

However, it hasn’t been an easy period for the 24-year-old as she faces speculation about her club future while preparing for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Nevertheless, Mead is fully supportive of Russo’s decision and acknowledges the weight it carries on her shoulders during this crucial time.

“Playing alongside Alessia for England has been an absolute joy, and I would absolutely love to continue that partnership at Arsenal,” expressed Mead during an interview. “I understand how tough these rumors can be for her right now, especially with such an important tournament ahead.”

Mead herself experienced great success last year when she won both the golden boot and player of the tournament awards during England’s triumphant European Championship campaign. Unfortunately, fate dealt her a cruel blow as she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November which ruled her out of contention for this year’s World Cup.

The ambitious forward had initially hoped to recover in time and secure a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. However, despite her best efforts, Mead was unable to regain full fitness within the required timeframe and was ultimately left out of the 23-player roster.

Reflecting on this setback, Mead shared, “Throughout my rehabilitation process, Sarina has been a tremendous source of support. We explored every possible avenue to make it happen but in the end, we all agreed that rushing back would not allow me to perform at my best.”

While Mead laments her absence from the World Cup stage this year, she remains optimistic about England’s chances. Although key players such as captain Leah Williamson and forward Fran Kirby will also be sidelined due to injury, Mead believes in their ability to overcome these challenges.

The Lionesses’ Show Must Go On

“There has been much talk surrounding our team’s situation,” said Mead confidently. “But knowing Sarina and the resilience of our squad both individually and collectively; rest assured they have devised meticulous plans for various scenarios.”

Mead emphasizes that while some players might get an opportunity to shine during this time due to absences caused by injuries or other circumstances, it is vital for everyone involved to remain focused on their abilities and believe in themselves as a cohesive unit.

England’s Challenging Group Stage Awaits

England kicks off their Women’s World Cup campaign against Haiti on July 22nd at 10:30 BST. The Lionesses will also face Denmark and China in Group D before progressing further into the tournament.

“The expectations are high because we emerged victorious in the Euros,” acknowledged Mead. “However, Sarina’s message to us will undoubtedly be to ignore external noise and focus solely on playing our best football.”

Amidst her professional journey, Mead has also faced personal challenges off the field. The tragic loss of her mother, June, earlier this year due to ovarian cancer has profoundly affected her. Yet amidst these difficult times, she expresses gratitude for the immense support she receives from both her club at Arsenal and national team-mates.

A Remarkable Bond

“I am blessed with an incredibly supportive family by my side as well as a second family within Arsenal and England,” affirmed Mead. “Their unwavering presence has lifted me up during tough moments, both personally and on the pitch; I genuinely don’t know how I would have made it through without them.”

Coincidentally, Mead’s partner and teammate at Arsenal, Vivianne Miedema, is also recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Their shared experience has had its ups and downs throughout their rehabilitation journeys.

Mead humorously commented on their dynamic saying: “There have definitely been days where we’ve wanted to tear each other apart! But ultimately we understand that supporting one another is crucial in overcoming these obstacles.”