Keira Walsh hails 'exceptional' Lexi Potter after Chelsea star earns first England call-up

Lexi Potter has received her first senior England call-up, with Sarina Wiegman selecting the 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder for the Lionesses’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers after an eye-catching start to the WSL season.

Potter is a Chelsea academy graduate who spent two years on loan at Crystal Palace, making 20 appearances, before returning to the club and breaking into Sonia Bompastor’s first team. Her maiden WSL league start came against Brighton in March, when she scored the winning goal, and she has built on that momentum this season — starting three of Chelsea’s four WSL matches as the Blues made an unbeaten opening to their title campaign.

Playing alongside Keira Walsh in central midfield, Potter has been part of a Chelsea side that has kept three consecutive WSL clean sheets. She has also contributed at the other end, netting in a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City, while a composed display in a 1-0 win over Arsenal further illustrated why Wiegman felt the time was right to bring her into the international fold.

Walsh, who has surpassed 100 senior England appearances since her debut in 2017, has been effusive in her praise of her young partner. The partnership works in part because Potter provides defensive cover that allows Walsh greater freedom to advance, and the experienced midfielder says the dynamic has been one of the most important factors in Chelsea’s strong start.

“If a ball goes past me, I know Lexi’s there cleaning up,” Walsh said. “We’re working for each other and that’s probably been the most important thing so far at the start of the season.”

“I’m not surprised by Lexi’s performances. I play with her in training, so I can’t say I’m shocked that she played like that against Arsenal, because I’m not. She’s just really intelligent. She makes me feel really comfortable when I’m playing next to her. The way she sees the game, not many female players understand it the way she does.”

Walsh went further, suggesting Potter’s best is still ahead of her. “She’s an exceptional talent and I think she plays beyond her years. She’s got a very calm head on her shoulders and she’s got a lot to come. I think she’s going to be an incredible player for Chelsea and England in the future.”