Aggie Beever-Jones doesn't have a lot match expertise. The England striker missed out on the 2020 under-17 Euros owing to Covid cancellations and featured at solely the under-19s Euros in 2022, the place she scored twice within the group stage in opposition to Norway, earlier than arriving at Euro 2025.
By the point a participant breaks into the senior facet they often have a number of tournaments below their belt however Covid means Beever-Jones is part of the technology of younger gamers coming by means of that misplaced out.
“I used to be unlucky in that sense once I was rising up,” she says. “I've by no means actually skilled match soccer and being away from household. It was a loopy time on this planet; I feel everybody was a bit not sure what was occurring. We had been fortunate sufficient that soccer was in a position to stick with it.
“That's why I feel it makes it a bit extra particular this time spherical. It's my first correct match and on the highest degree. It's precisely the place I need to be. I really feel snug sufficient to push for my place in addition to getting pushed on daily basis to change into a greater individual and participant. So I'm actually, actually having fun with it. Hopefully we will make our mark and hold going.”
The 21-year-old made her senior match debut on Wednesday night time, approaching instead of Alessia Russo within the 84th minute of England's 4-0 defeat of the Netherlands, and hopes to play an element on Sunday in opposition to Wales. The Chelsea ahead's former supervisor Emma Hayes spoke of the influence Beever-Jones may have on the worldwide stage on the finish of her tenure on the membership, saying: “Aggie Beever-Jones. Don't neglect that title. She's going to be a legend not only for Chelsea however for England.”
Beever-Jones says she feels extraordinarily fortunate to have achieved her purpose of getting to those Euros and displays on Hayes' evaluation by saying: “For Emma to say these phrases about me, that in all probability is likely one of the finest compliments I've ever had, and from such an unimaginable individual. I'm simply seeking to assist the place I can and revel in it. I've at all times stated I play my finest soccer once I'm having fun with it.”
Ensuring you get pleasure from it off the pitch issues too at a match. Taking pictures is one among Beever-Jones's technique of distraction. “There's a couple of of us,” she says. “I do know Alex [Greenwood] purchased a digital camera just lately. It's simply good to seek out some hobbies exterior of soccer typically. The prints are in my journal – received a couple of Polaroids caught in there … it's discovering the wonder within the little issues and simply with the ability to discover a lovely metropolis and revel in it.”
Stepping out of the group surroundings to hang around with household and pals additionally helps. “It's refreshing to come back out of that bubble typically and take a step again to spend time with your loved ones and never discuss soccer,” says Beever-Jones. “My sister's not a football-head in any respect so I simply speak to her about all the things however soccer. She's a midwife; I speak so much to her about her work. She has her boyfriend right here who's equally one among my finest pals and it's simply good to have that relationship. And equally with my mum and pop as nicely, simply spending time and having a normal household catchup. It's a terrific steadiness of: you come right here, you turn on, now we have the bubble, and, equally, you'll be able to exit and have a espresso and revel in time with your loved ones and change off from soccer.”
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Beever-Jones waits for the possibility to make her mark on this match and announce herself on the world stage as Alessia Russo and Ella Toone did as England's tremendous subs in 2022. “That will be the dream,” she says. “For me, it's about trusting Sarina [Wiegman] and trusting the method. We've a squad filled with unimaginable gamers. I simply need to take my alternative when it comes. I used to be grateful to come back on the opposite day and present just a little little bit of what I can do. Hopefully I get some extra alternatives to do this.”
Was it disheartening to not characteristic within the opening defeat by France, with Michelle Agyemang the participant who got here on? “Me and Sarina had a dialog and finally I've to respect her choice,” she says. “She did say it was a tricky recreation and he or she appeared elsewhere to deliver different folks on and I simply need to respect that. I do know my strengths and I've executed it for 2 years coming off the bench for Chelsea and hopefully making an influence.
“Sarina is nicely conscious of that and I revered that call. She is aware of I'll be prepared it doesn't matter what, each time the time comes. I'm simply delighted we had been in a position to flip it across the different night time. It doesn't imply something if we don't go and beat Wales.”
