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The call every aspiring footballer dreams of – a summons to represent your country – but for Poppy Pattinson, it initially went straight to voicemail. The London City Lionesses defender has sensationally revealed she was deep into an episode of Love Island on a flight when Sarina Wiegman tried to deliver the life-changing news of her first senior England call-up!
Key Points
- Poppy Pattinson earned her first senior Lionesses call-up amidst defensive injury concerns.
- The London City left-back famously missed Sarina Wiegman's initial call while watching Love Island on a flight.
- Pattinson's selection provides crucial depth for England as they prepare for vital World Cup qualifiers.
- Wiegman praises Pattinson's proactive, energetic style and forward-thinking play.
From Air Travel to International Arena: Pattinson's Unforgettable Call
It's a story for the ages. Picture this: a player, oblivious to their destiny, catching up on reality TV thousands of feet in the air. That was Poppy Pattinson's reality when the Lionesses' head coach came calling.
"I was actually on a flight," Pattinson explained to reporters. "I feel like everyone has a story when it comes to this, but I was actually on a flight, so I missed the call. When I landed, I saw the missed call and a message from Sarina asking me to call her back."
The suspense must have been unbearable. "You can imagine the people next to me are probably thinking I was just chilling, watching Love Island," she joked. "When I landed, I’m just like, ‘Oh my God.’ It was tense, obviously, waiting for everyone to get off the plane... then I got into the airport, called her back, and I’m just super proud."
Lionesses' Defensive Dilemma: Why Wiegman Turned to Pattinson
Sarina Wiegman faced a familiar headache ahead of England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers: defensive injuries. While some key players like Leah Williamson, Lauren James, and Hannah Hampton return after missing recent friendlies, vital names like Ella Toone, Beth Mead, and particularly Chelsea left-back Niamh Charles remain sidelined.
With Lucy Bronze and Taylor Hinds only just returning to full fitness, the depth at full-back was a pressing concern. This presented a golden opportunity for Pattinson, whose consistent performances for London City Lionesses caught the manager's eye. Wiegman's decision to bring in a fresh face highlights her readiness to blood new talent when the squad demands it.
Pattinson's Ascent: A Journey Through the Ranks
While her senior call-up might be new, Poppy Pattinson is far from an unknown quantity within the England setup. The 25-year-old boasts extensive experience at youth international levels, having represented the Lionesses at almost every age group, including the Under-23s as recently as 2024.
Her club career has seen her feature prominently in the Women's Super League for teams like Bristol City, Everton, and Brighton, following early breakthroughs at Sunderland and a stint at Manchester City as a teenager. After overcoming an early-season injury, Pattinson has been a regular starter for London City, showcasing the form that convinced Wiegman she was ready for the big stage.
Wiegman herself lauded Pattinson's attributes: "We've followed her for a long time. She's been fit now for a while, she's played and I think she's had some very good performances with London City Lionesses." The coach specifically praised her as a "very proactive" left-back who "takes a lot of initiative" and "really wants to play forward."
Seizing the Moment: What Pattinson Brings to England
For Pattinson, this isn't just a one-off opportunity; it's a chance to cement her place. "I’m fully aware there’s some great players in this team but I want to bring my strength to the team. I want to add what I can," she declared. Her ambition is clear: "This is the first step, getting the call-up, but I don’t want it to be the last."
Her energetic, forward-thinking style is exactly what Wiegman values in her full-backs, aligning perfectly with the Lionesses' attacking philosophy. As England embark on their World Cup qualifying journey, Poppy Pattinson's fresh energy and determination could prove to be a crucial asset, adding vital depth and a new dimension to the squad.
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