Carney: Euro glory will assure England of Bright-est future
FORMER international Karen Carney believes a Euro 2022 win for England will elevate players like Millie Bright to world-class status.
Carney, who won 144 caps for her country, believes deserved recognition has been missing due to a lack of major honours.
However, if Sarina Wiegman’s side, which faces Sweden in the semi-final at Sheffield’s Bramall Lane tonight, lifts the trophy at Wembley on Sunday a number of the squad can expect to see their profiles rise.
Carney, the 34-year-old former Birmingham and Arsenal midfielder, said of Bright: “For a long time I have always felt she has been one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
“However, over the next 12 months she could establish herself as being one of the best central defenders in the world and earn the recognition perhaps she has not really had.
“I think it is about winning trophies.
“I played with Kelly Smith for years and years and I still think she is the best player we have ever produced.
“She would have been the stand-out player in this team but she was just a generation too early I think.
“Kelly did not get the recognition as she never won a gold medal with her national team and the same goes for Lucy Bronze.
“She has had the accolades of best player but what every player needs to get the credibility they want is that illustrious gold medal.
“I think it a tournament win would catapult the whole team but even more so the individuals.”
Carney believes the success of this summer’s Euros has broken down any remaining barriers in the women’s game.
Research commissioned by booking.com, the official accommodation booking partner of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, shows more than eight in 10 England fans say the growth of the women’s game has made travelling to play professional football in top leagues around the world a realistic career ambition for women and girls.
Carney added: “When I was growing up the barriers were there that there were not as many opportunities for me - or the perception was not there - but the tournament offers that.
“This new generation and the way sport is going is eradicating all that.
“I don’t seem to see those barriers any more and that is a credit to broadcasters, sponsors and major investors who are giving it the right look and feel and the investment it needs.
“The tournament has been phenomenal and it has captured a new audience and if the team was to get to the final the barriers would be long gone.
“It is not just about young girls, we have to change people’s perceptions.
“We have to try to accommodate every fan and that is what I am looking forward to.
“We have to put in the front of their minds to see the women’s game as role models for everyone.”