Nobbs backs Mead to lead Golden Boot standings

Jordan Nobbs is backing England star Beth Mead to win the Golden Boot at Women's Euro 2022.

The Lionesses sensation bagged five goals in just three group games and leads her nearest challengers by two strikes.

And Arsenal ace Nobbs, who missed the tournament after suffering a knee injury in May, thinks Mead can go all the way.

She told LiveScore: "Obviously Vivianne Miedema missed a game due to Covid-19 but we all know she can score goals.

"I’m backing my Lioness Beth who's on five goals right now. I’m sure she’s full of confidence to get more."

Spain will be no pushovers but, after scoring 14 times without reply in a record-breaking group campaign — including an 8-0 rout of Norway — England are looking menacing on home soil.

The Lionesses may be without boss Sarina Wiegman again at the Amex Stadium after she tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the win over Northern Ireland.

But Nobbs, 29, was impressed with how the squad coped in their head coach's absence last time out.

She added: "It shows exactly what type of a role the girls take on and they’ve also got a number of great staff behind them doing everything possible to support them.

"After the Northern Ireland game, they showed how professional they are to get the job done even when Sarina wasn’t there.

"Being in the quarter-finals will add a little bit of pressure, but the girls have been in a lot of these scenarios before in the world of football. They know how big the game will be and they will also want to win it. So, they will be as prepared as usual.

"The game has grown so much, and they’ve been under pressure in other tournaments before, but I think the strength and depth of this team, I think they’ve got a fantastic chance [of winning the tournament]."

Like Mead, Nobbs began her career at Sunderland before moving to Arsenal and becoming an international star.

And the 67-cap international is delighted to see more opportunities opening up for female footballers to work on their game at an early age.

She explained: "For me, the pathway wasn’t really that clear. There weren’t any girls that played back then. 

"I played in an all-girls team in an all-boys league then finally went into Centre of Excellence football. 

"But since then, the way the game has grown, we’re in a fantastic position to allow girls to develop a lot quicker and faster than I did.

"More visibility of women in the game from coach level to top-tier players at young ages could mean more girls start playing football and getting away from the tired, 'Girls don’t play football' statement."

Jordan Nobbs is an ambassador for McDonald's Fun Football, the UK’s biggest free participation programme giving one million children access to FREE football over the next four years. Visit McDonalds.co.uk/Football