Beth England ready to take centre stage after her role in Euro 2022 triumph

Beth England is still coming down from the high of winning the European Championship with England, but the striker already has her sights on another trophy-laden year with Chelsea.

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She is relishing the chance to take the momentum from July’s triumph at Wembley into the new Women’s Super League season and build on the soaring popularity of the women’s game.

With the start of the campaign delayed by a week after the death of the Queen, instead of a glamorous Stamford Bridge opener against West Ham, the reigning champions begin their defence with a trip to Prenton Park to face Liverpool on Sunday.

It is a world away from the packed Wembley which saw the Lionesses claim Euro 2022 glory at the end of July but, for England, a reminder that it is time to get back down to business. ‘It’s definitely been a bit of a mad one, we’re finally coming down from all the emotion of it,’ the 28-year-old tells Metro.

‘It was such a rollercoaster, winning it and then going into all the media engagements, celebrations and then trying to get time with family to switch off and then a quick turnaround to pre-season. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, exciting and an amazing summer.’

England herself has been honoured by the South Yorkshire town where she was born, Barnsley. ‘My home town is putting £5million into a girls’ football academy and they’re going to name it after me, so that’s probably the strangest thing that has happened – but that is special,’ England adds.

It has been hectic since July 31, when Sarina Wiegman led England to a 2-1 extra-time win over Germany to seal a first major triumph for the country since the men lifted the World Cup in 1966.

But Chelsea boss Emma Hayes ensured it was quickly back to