Ideal central defender Millie Bright the cornerstone of England’s Euros tilt

Millie Bright can be complimented on many things but perhaps the biggest indicator of the England defender’s sometimes underrated talent is her habit of forming apparently perfect partnerships with fellow centre-halves.

After establishing herself as an international regular in 2017 Bright often made it look as if she and the Lionesses’ former captain Steph Houghton had been a double act since childhood. More recently, she has appeared completely at home alongside Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson.

As Sarina Wiegman’s side kicked off their Euro 2022 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, it was Bright who calmed the initial nerves of the captain, Williamson. In the course of a performance big on important blocks and interceptions, deft dribbles out of defensive tight spots and some eye-catching long diagonal passes, she looked very much the senior partner.

So much so that, at 28, Bright could almost be the ideal central defender. An amalgam of powerful tackling, strong aerial presence, imposing physicality, a highly incisive passing range and an ability to score the odd spectacular goal, she has become very much the cornerstone of Wiegman’s side.

Playing alongside Sweden’s outstanding captain, Magdalena Eriksson, at Chelsea can only have accelerated her development, and she has also benefited from Emma Hayes’s stellar coaching and the WSL champions’ periodic switching between a back three and back four.

Hayes has regularly reiterated that she believes Bright to be among the world’s top individuals in her position. “She’s got presence, leadership and few players have a work ethic to match Millie’s,” says Chelsea’s manager. “She’s improved year on year.”

It now seems strange to think