Mead: 'Lionesses want to be the best team in the world'

Beth Mead says the England Women's senior team want to become the best side in the world and stated being left out of Team GB’s Tokyo 2020 squad has left her hungrier than ever to succeed with the Lionesses.

Mead was speaking as part of a question-and-answer session which will be published in the matchday programme for the FIFA World Cup qualifier with North Macedonia. 

But for those unable to attend who still want to buy a matchday programme, you can do so here for £3.99, which includes the cost of delivery.

Along with the Q&A with Arsenal forward Mead, you will have the chance to hear from new head coach Sarina Wiegman, an interview with Lauren Hemp, a quiz section for children plus much more.

Below are the opening four questions and answers with Mead just to whet the appetite...

You’ve not played with England for a while, is it good to be back?

It’s an honour any time you get called up for England. Not going to the Olympics has made me hungrier to want to represent on the international stage. I’m completely and utterly honoured to be part of the set-up and I’m really excited to get going for the qualifiers with the girls.

There’s the Euros next year and the World Cup a year later, what can England achieve?

The set of players that we’ve got and the standard of the league that most of us are playing in now is getting better and better. The girls are developing and playing in more competitive games at club level, which is helpful for England. This team has always been a special group and we always have the capability to go and win but we’ve got to put in the hard work.

What were your thoughts when Sarina Wiegman was appointed as England head coach?

She’s got to a World Cup final, she’s won a home EUROs already and I’ve heard a lot of good things. We want to be the best team in the world, so you want the best coach in the world, and she’s very much one of the best coaches in the world right now. The other girls and I are super excited to be working with her. Hopefully she can share her experiences and knowledge with us and we can implement that on the pitch, and she can take us to the next level.

How have you found it playing in front of fans again?

It’s been a long time coming. They give you that energy on and off the pitch. It was so nice to hear them in the crowd again last weekend. I’m pretty sure we’ve missed them as much as they’ve missed us. It’s so nice to have the fans back again.