Jordan Nobbs believes England have what it takes to go all the way at Euro 2022 but admitted she had to take a step back after missing out on the tournament through injury.
The Arsenal midfielder, who also missed the 2019 World Cup through injury, has been sidelined since April after spraining a knee ligament against Aston Villa.
Nobbs, 29, said it was mentally tough to deal with another crushing injury but is now ready to throw all her support behind Sarina Wiegman and her team.
Arsenal star Jordan Nobbs missed out on the tournament after spraining knee ligaments
Nobbs says she had to mentally take time out after sustaining the injury
‘Naturally, I wanted to fight for a spot in that squad,’ Nobbs told Sportsmail.
‘Football comes with injuries, it’s part and parcel of the game. Mentally, I took some time off, now I’m ready to support and enjoy the girls playing football.
‘I’ve been there, done that, even though it’s not the situation I want to be in. I won’t ever shy away from tough times of my career that mentally I’ve struggled with.
‘I’m in a good place, I should be ready for when the WSL starts if all goes to plan. I just want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. I fully support the Lionesses while they’re away.’
Nobbs was in the stands as England secured a record-breaking 8-0 win over Norway, ranked 11th in the world, on Monday.
The Lionesses have topped Group A with a game to spare and will face either Spain or Denmark in the quarter-final. And Nobbs believes her team-mates have what it takes to go all the way.
Nobbs believes the Lionesses have the ability and the mentality to go all the way at the EUROs
JustEat 101 will help fund 101 new grassroot level women’s football teams
‘Of course [they can win it], they’ve definitely shown that,’ Nobbs said. The girls won’t be thinking like that, they’ll just be taking it game by game. I think from an outside view they’ve got the strength and depth in the squad to do it.
‘It was an incredible performance [against Norway]. Obviously Norway underperformed but the Lionesses did exactly what they needed to do. The atmosphere was incredible.
‘It’s just about the Lioness mentality at the moment, they showed against a top Norway side, which could have been a tough game, exactly where they’re at the moment.’
Nobbs is part of Just Eat’s 101 initiative, which is making grassroots football more accessible to women and girls by supporting 101 new women’s teams. The food delivery app will provide 101 grassroot teams with the ultimate starter pack, alongside expert advice from industry veterans.
‘It’s the 101 because women’s football was banned so long ago which sounds crazy now,’ Nobbs says. ‘They’re allowing women’s teams across the nation, young girls, women, to have an opportunity and get involved in the sport. It’s been a very proud initiative to be a part of.
The initiative will help provide women and girls across the UK with a gateway into football
JustEat 101 helps girls and women find clubs something Nobbs struggled with in her youth
‘I had struggles when I was younger trying to find a club or somewhere to go, with this initiative it doesn’t matter what ability or background you have, there’s an opportunity to get involved.
‘I still know the struggles that girls will go through now but we want to try and change that. That’s why this initiative is so important to me because it’s the legacy of the women’s game.
‘It’s the perfect time to have these initiatives because you see young fans, boys, girls, women, men, all coming together to support the nation.
‘It just shows how far the game has grown. We’ve gone through some difficult times, women have before me, but we want to change that. I think the women’s Euros is going to be the big push in changing it for good.’
Jordan Nobbs has teamed up with Just Eat, to launch their new initiative, The 101, which aims to make grassroots football more accessible for girls and women. Teams can apply by visiting www.justeat-101.co.uk.
Nobbs revealed she was very ‘proud’ to be a part of the fast food app’s sporting initiative
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