Bethany England and Drew Spence: Why we moved from Chelsea Women to Tottenham Women | Football News

In the In the WSL exclusive, Bethany England and Drew Spence reveal why they moved from Chelsea to Tottenham, how they have settled and discuss the upcoming World Cup.

Spence joins Rehanne Skinner’s side in June 2022, ending his spell as Chelsea’s longest-serving player. He spent 14 years with the Blues, winning 13 major titles and reaching the Champions League final.

He was reunited with his former Chelsea team-mate in January when the forward moved to another corner of London. He grabbed the headlines for an English record fee of £250,000, and has repaid that faith with three goals in his first five games for Spurs.

When asked if the price played on his mind, England said In the WSL presenter Jess Creighton: “I’d like to say no, but there’s some noise going on in the dressing room about that, which is expected – it’s part of the job.

“I’m just happy to be on the field, but when I go in, I have a big sigh and it makes me think, ‘I mean business, let’s get it’. To be fair, it doesn’t bother me. since. a good start I’ve helped.”

The Englishman also spent many years at Chelsea – seven in total – but with limited minutes, he needs to rediscover his passion for the game.

“I know I have to play and I feel that at a great club like Chelsea, my time will come,” he said.

“I have spent the last few years as a bench player. For me, it did not give me the same feeling and love before I knew that I had to play. This is where I think I will have the best opportunity to present what I can bring.

“There are definitely times when I don’t like it. That’s not to say I don’t like the team or the staff, the winning part is fun, but it’s small.

“You don’t do that every day, you don’t win the title every day, so it’s more of a knock-on effect every day knowing that the minute aspect of the game is diminishing, so I have to make that change.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Spence, who is also struggling for game time in an ever-talented Chelsea squad. He admits that he wants to move and also loves football.

“Personally, it’s better to enjoy the sport I love again,” he said. “It’s hard. When you’re in a situation like that, even if you love somewhere for a long time, it’s hard to be in the position I’m in.

“It’s a short career, so have fun. Then there’s the World Cup in the summer, which I’m excited about and making sure I’m fit and healthy.

“Spurs is the best fit for me. I have known some of the girls for a while and I have heard nothing but good. When I spoke with Rehanne, I had a very positive conversation – the direction of the club. , the faith that exists in me and the beliefs that have helped me make my decision.

“There are also other interests when you move from the Chelsea club, but for me, it is important to feel comfortable and feel like I want to go wherever they are going forward. I have seen big steps in this club. But I continue [make strides], like bringing Beth in for example. It’s just the beginning really.”

With clear friends, Spence had a hand in the Englishman’s move to Tottenham?

“I’ll be honest, I don’t know anything…I can’t get rid of him!” tramp tramp.

“I’m glad he’s here. I know what he can bring to the team. We’ve struggled with scoring and he’s got three out of five. I’m just happy he’s happy and back with him.

“I help him on weekends [against Manchester United] and it’s good to have a connection back again. I think we definitely have that at Chelsea, so I’m excited for the season and next season.

“We always know where each other is on the field and it just comes with years of playing with each other and on the training field every day. We just have to bring it here now.”

Settle in Spurs

Spence has started seven months for his team-mates, but as expected in any major life change, he will need some time to settle in at Tottenham.

He explained: “I’ve changed a lot outside of football, but everything around me, so I’m fine in that aspect. He, it’s not a long journey anymore. That’s part of life, you have to make changes great.

“When I don’t know people, I’m a bit quiet, so it takes me a while to feel the people I don’t know.

“But it’s a great group and a lot of them have been together for a long time, when they were in the trenches. Now they’re out there and trying to build.

“Everyone is really happy. Learning new personalities is just part of football, people come in and out every year, that’s what I’ve always done at Chelsea so it’s easy for me.

“I definitely feel settled now. It takes some time to get used to the environment, especially after so many years in other places. It’s my home, my family, so I need some time to keep my feet on the ground.

“I’ve moved from Surrey to Essex and it’s a change in itself. Now, I feel settled in the team and I’m very happy to be here. The results haven’t been great but now. we’re getting there.”

Six weeks after the move, the Englishman and his new fiance have yet to find a permanent home in Essex, close to Tottenham Hotspur’s Way training base. Instead of battling the temperamental M25 every morning, the club is offering a place in England to stay close to while they continue their property search.

“We are still trying to find a place to go to, I’m still in Surrey but we’re in the process,” she said.

“The club has been very good in helping me find one of the houses to spend a few nights a week to save the trip, because the M25 is no joke some mornings. It can take two hours to train and that’s fine. You need it or how you want to start the day. The club it’s been good to make it easy and make it easy to be okay.”

As Spence has discussed, England are also impressed by Tottenham’s ambitions for their women’s team. Spurs manager Skinner was bought back as the main reason for signing players.

The Englishman said: “I also had a long chat with Rehanne about the club he wanted to go to and the direction he was going to take.

“It’s still a fairly new club in terms of the top league and I think they’ve done a good job over the last few years. They have a lot to offer.

“It’s not easy to leave Chelsea and try to choose the right place. You have to have the trust of the manager, that he can count on you and trust and believe in you.

“The method that makes changes constantly, and we have had a meeting not long ago about all the implementations that we want to do to make the club higher. quick fix overnight.

“I think people forget that it takes time to build a strong unit at the club, but it’s definitely moving in the right direction. The club is definitely pushing the women’s team more than ever.”

World Cup ambitions: ‘Everyone wants to represent their country at a major tournament’

There is no denying that both players have moved to maximize their chances of playing at this summer’s World Cup. England will aim for a place in Sarina Wiegman’s Lions squad, having been part of the team that won Euro 2022.

When asked at the World Cup as part of his decision to move, the Englishman replied: “There is an element of it. I’ve said it many times, I just want to go back to playing regular football, go back to being the best. on the pitch and whatever being followed, whether English or not, is a bonus.

“Everyone wants to represent their country in a major tournament, I got a taste of it this summer. For me, it’s always in the back of my mind, but my priority is to come back well.”

As for Spence, he wants to be part of the Jamaican squad for the tournaments in Australia and New Zealand. This will be the country’s second consecutive World Cup, after making its competitive debut at the 2019 edition in France.

“I’ve never been to a major tournament, so I think it’s going to be one of those experiences that you don’t realize until you don’t. When I’m there, I have to take it all in my stride,” Spence said.

“This is my second tournament, so a lot of girls have been there before. I can also take my experience from them. It’s a very good group and it’s like a family. They embrace everyone who comes in and we have a tough group, but no who thought we’d get away with it at first.”

England are also there to suggest their own major tournament.

“I don’t think you realize the impact until you’re out of it,” he added. “We’re going to win the game, go back to the hotel, eat pasta – just every day.

“When the tournament is over, it’s just random like going to the store or going out, you’ll be spotted. It’s just a strange feeling when you go back to the community. It’s like creating a food store when you already have someone cooking. For you five or six weeks, it’s a surreal feeling.

“But take every minute you can and don’t take anything for granted because in a football tournament, you never know what can happen. Take every minute because you don’t know if you’ll get to another tournament.”

Now, Spence and England will focus on achieving as much as possible with Tottenham this season. Of course, any call-up to the World Cup will take care of itself for this talented duo.

Watch the full interview at In the WSL from 6pm on Sky Sports Soccer.