Naomi Layzell: The England teenager on Sarina Wiegman’s radar

Naomi Layzell (left) has faced many players in the England senior squad while playing for Bristol City in the WSL

Naomi Layzell was playing in the Women’s Championship and for England’s youth teams two years ago – but on Wednesday she was training with the European champions.

The opportunity took Layzell by surprise as the 19-year-old became the latest youngster to reap benefits from Sarina Wiegman’s interest in England’s next generation.

Emma Coates’ under-23 squad are on a warm-weather training camp in Spain alongside England’s senior players for the first time and it has given the youngsters a taste of what could come their way in the future.

They will hope to follow in the footsteps of recent senior call-ups Grace Clinton, Khiara Keating and Jess Park.

Bristol City centre-back Layzell was told by Coates she would be training with Wiegman’s senior team on the evening they arrived in Marbella – and the former under-18 international jumped at the chance.

“It was really exciting. Nerve-racking obviously, but I was really happy with the opportunity,” said Layzell.

“It doesn’t come around every day and to play and train with some of the best players in the world, you’re going to snatch at that chance if you can get it.”

Layzell was straight on the phone to her parents to tell them the news.

“I was told after dinner and just thought ‘OK, make sure you get a good night’s sleep, you’ve got training tomorrow, try not to be too nervous’. I was trying not to shake.

“Sarina had a quick chat with me and then spoke to me after training as well. I called my parents [but] because I hadn’t spoken to them since arriving, they were just trying to get all the details of the flight and everything.

“I was like: ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’ They said they knew some people would get the opportunity and they’re so proud of me and all the work I’ve done.”

‘You never know where we could be’

Layzell started as the England Under-23s fell to a 3-1 defeat by Spain at the Marbella Football Centre on Thursday but has already used the camp to demonstrate her skills to Wiegman.

A major review of England’s youth teams took place in 2018 and the FA, with Wiegman’s support, have worked to make the under-23s more closely aligned to the first team.

It means Coates regularly communicates with Wiegman as the under-23s’ style, tactics and philosophy look to mirror those of the senior squad.

“They work a lot together and they definitely talk about styles of play and trying to get us to play in similar ways,” said Layzell.

“The under-23s’ players are so talented and we definitely know a lot of the people could train up and just fit in that [senior] environment.

“I came away thinking I gave a good account of myself. I probably wasn’t the best player on the pitch, naturally, but I came away thinking ‘they’re not going to think I’m rubbish’. That was the main thing.

“There were times when I was tackled, there were probably times when I got beaten, but it’s just about being up against these players. It’s the only way you’re going to learn and get better – by challenging yourself.

“All of those players have probably been in a similar position to me. It’s testament to them how far they’ve gone.

“It just shows that, people like me in the under-23s, if we keep working at it, we’re persistent and keep taking these opportunities, then you never know where we could be in a few years’ time.”

German lessons and volunteering at a school

Naomi Layzell has played for Bristol City since 2020, helping them earn promotion to the WSL

Layzell was playing for England at under-18 and under-19 level when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022.

She was a regular for Bristol City in the Women’s Championship, helping them earn promotion to the Women’s Super League for the 2023-24 season, which has helped propel her on to Wiegman’s radar.

“If you asked me [in 2022], if I could see where I was now, I would never say that I could have had this opportunity,” said Layzell.

“Being in the WSL with Bristol City and getting promoted has really given me a chance to show myself and challenge myself. The under-23s is a stepping stone and you just have to rise to the challenge.

“You always aspire to get to the top and to be involved with the senior team, but it’s hard to put a timeline on it because everyone grows at different rates.”

Mature beyond her years, Layzell spoke impressively to media on Wednesday, showed leadership on the pitch on Thursday and spends her free time in Bristol regularly volunteering at a local school.

She gave an insight into her personality by explaining how she chooses to spend her time.

“I’m learning a new language – German. I did it at GCSE so it keeps me interested,” said Layzell.

“I go on walks a lot. I try and do volunteering here and there as well. I help with reading with children at a local school near where I live in Bristol. The chaplain at Bristol City pointed me towards it because she knew I wanted to do something.

“None of the kids know that I play football, and I quite like that, because it means you can get to know them on a level. It’s nice to know you’re helping out and making an impact.”