Chelsea stalwart Millie Bright was back in the heart of defence for the Lionesses' 1-0 win against Switzerland in midweek, after being dropped by the still-experimenting Sarina Wiegman for the more glamorous tie against Emma Hayes' USA at Wembley.
This month is Bright's 10th anniversary as a Chelsea player. She penned her contract in front of assistant manager Paul Green, who said at the time: "She will add strength and physicality to the squad."
Rarely were truer words spoken. Now 31, the evergreen Bright – a towering presence in attack as well as defence – proved her worth once again for England at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night (26 November).
Although it was exciting United midfielder Grace Clinton who was on hand to convert a rebound for the only goal separating England and Switzerland, Bright was right up there alongside her in the eighth minute, ready to pounce on any loose ball.
It is that quality that Weigman admires, and which perhaps was lacking in England's goalless draw against the USA when Bright was only warming the bench.
What's special about Bright is that although she may have lost a yard of pace over the past decade, she's the best pinpoint hoofer in town, regularly supplying accurate long-range diagonal passes to the forward runners to launch fresh attacks down the wing.
Her experience and knowledge of the game means her positional skills for England, and Chelsea, kick in when faced with an opposition striker bearing down on her at speed. With 84 full caps for England already, a century of appearances is not out of the question.
The Blues host Brighton on Sunday at Kingsmeadow, while Chelsea men are away to north London rivals Spurs.
Title contenders?
The men flew into the lead against former Premier League high-fliers Aston Villa at the weekend (Sunday 1 December) with a 7th-minute goal by Nico Jackson, assisted by a cross from man-of-the-match Marc Cucurella, and went on to cruise to the most comfortable of victories.
A thunderbolt volley by captain Enzo Fernandez and a trademark stride-and-strike finish from the unstoppable Cole Palmer completed an easy-peasy afternoon for the Blues.
Chelsea keep creeping up the table, rarely mentioned in title terms in the same breath as Arsenal, City or runaway Liverpool.
But that suits everyone at Stamford Bridge. Fans have a spring in their step. Standing on the platform at Fulham Broadway after a game is like finding yourself in the middle of a smile convention. Spurs will need to be on top form to stop this juggernaut.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
