Phil Neville was still grinning at the mention of Georgia Stanway’s name early on Thursday.
The 20-year-old’s performance in England’s midfield against Japan had prompted a question the night before from a journalist representing Radio Cumbria.
‘That’s where she lives, isn’t it!’ Neville replied, before expounding on her performance.
Phil Neville believes Georgia Stanway is capable of enjoying a hugely successful career
Before facing Japan, Phil Neville told Stanway to pretend she was playing in the park
Tournament football can bring its share of awkward questions. ‘No agenda with that one!’ he laughed, the morning after.
The moment of levity at the end of a challenging night sums up what Stanway brings to Neville’s England.
Though his answer for the Cumbrians was that Stanway could become anything she wants to be, you sometimes sense in conversations with her that she cannot quite believe she has made it from the pitches of Strawberry Fields, Barrow-in-Furness, where she played for the local boys’ club, Furness Rovers.
Neville seems to feel this, too. ‘When we named the team, she looked a bit surprised and nervous and we said, “Pretend you’re in the park, playing with your friends”, because that’s when she’s at her best.’
It was wise counsel. Stanway played with freedom, constantly calling for possession and looking to break the tactical lines with it.
The power the Manchester City player brings to her favoured position behind the striker is the really unexpected part.
Stanway enjoys herself in the swimming pool with team-mate Leah Williamson
Steph Houghton and Millie Bright in the pool at Mouratoglou Resort & Spa
At 5ft 4in she is diminutive, just like Fran Kirby, the No 10 you feel she will ultimately succeed.
Yet the strength she displayed in carving out England’s opening goal will live long in the memory.
Back to goal, with Hina Sugita on her shoulder, she required three touches of the right boot to navigate the ball around the player, push it ahead of her and post it into the path of Ellen White — tumbling as she did so, with Sugita shaping to tackle.
You might say that was trademark Stanway. Her muscularity frequently reveals itself by her ability to deliver a shot or pass with power while in motion.
