Get to know the squad: Player profile | Millie Bright – the key defender in the Lionesses
Millie Bright is another key player in Sarina Weigman’s England squad. The defender played a pivotal role in England’s European Championship 2022 win and was one of the key players who steered the Lionesses to victory.
Bright will play a vital role in this summer’s World Cup. With no captain Leah Williamson, who’s out with injury, Weigman will look to her senior players to provide calm in the squad. Bright is a reliable player and her presence at the back is vital to England’s confidence.
A lot of well-known England players are out of this year’s World Cup due to injury and England’s last two games have ended in a loss (the first under Sarina Weigman) and a draw.
But England has a lot of talent and depth in its squad, and this summer you’ll be able to see just how much talent the Lionesses have on and off the bench. So don’t fear that they’ll be no Leah Williamson or Fran Kirby. England have one of the best squads in the world and can win their very first World Cup.
We want you to get to know this England squad and throw your support behind the Lionesses this summer, helping them secure more silverware.
So here is everything you need to know about Millie Bright.
Bright was named for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July. Due to fellow defender Leah Williamson being injured, Bright has been named interim captain for the tournament.
Bright’s breakthrough saw her make an immediate impact in international football and she was the only player to start every match during the EURO 2017 – despite only making her debut ten months before.
Her Lionesses debut came in Belgium when she replaced Karen Carney in midfield, but she has made a name for herself in both international and club football as a defender.
Bright and Steph Houghton had an incredible centre-back partnership, with the pair racking up 12 clean sheets in the first 20 matches they started next to each other.
At club level, she started her career with Doncaster Rovers Belles before moving to London club Chelsea FC in 2015 where she has achieved great success, including the BWSL title four times, the Women’s FA Cup on three occasions and reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2021, just to name a few of the achievements.
Under Sarina Weigman, Bright has helped collect silverware for England including the EUROs, Finalissima and the Arnold Cup. Will a World Cup trophy be next?
