Katie Robinson on ‘whirlwind journey’ from starting in WSL with Bristol City to Brighton and recent England debut | Football News

The 2022/23 season has been a breakout campaign for Katie Robinson. He has become one of Brighton’s most important players and caught the attention of England boss Sarina Wiegman.

But just four and a half years ago, Robinson was still working at Bristol City’s academy. In October 2018, Tanya Oxtoby handed the 16-year-old winger his debut against Birmingham.

It was the start of a meteoric rise for Robison, who is set to make his UK debut at the end of 2022.

Reflecting on his senior debut at Bristol City, Robinson said: “I haven’t been to a club for a long time. I joined the academy in the summer and this is October.

“It’s the first time in the first team squad and then they got their debut. I was very surprised but it’s better to put the girls at an early age because the sooner you can get them to first team football, the better. .”

After two seasons at the club and amid the Covid lockdown, Robinson moved to the south of England to fellow WSL side Brighton under Hope Powell in July 2020.

But disaster struck just two months later when the winger suffered an ACL injury in training. A few months after her return, she was loaned out to Women’s Championship side Charlton, who she credits with getting to where she is today.

“I really enjoyed my time at Bristol City, it gave me a platform to get first-team exposure,” he said ahead of Wednesday’s WSL meeting with Chelsea, live. Sky Sports.

“But the direction Brighton is going, it’s an exciting opportunity. It’s just after Covid has arrived and I want a new opportunity. I don’t think I can turn that time down.

“At first, an ACL injury is really hard to deal with when you know what’s going on.

“Looking back now, it’s changed my perspective on a lot of things. Not having football for 12 months, taking away something you love, it’s hard.

“But the more I like the gym, the more I have a different perspective on it, and little things like that, it changes the way you think.

“Looking back, I was very happy to go on loan to Charlton. I struggled to get game time at Brighton, coming back from my ACL. I needed the confidence to play and get regular minutes.

“I’m very glad that I did this because a year later, I’m in this position and it’s definitely part of my journey as well because if I didn’t have the loan, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”

On a personal level, Robinson is in the best shape of his career so far whether he has had a breakout season. The 20-year-old has played in all 11 WSL games for Brighton this season and his skill, speed and talent down the wing has been hugely impressive. He has registered his first WSL goal and also assisted – two.

However, Brighton’s season in general has been a struggle. They are currently in 11th place, two points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Leicester, and have gone through two permanent managers.

Jens Scheuer replaced long-term boss Powell in late December, but only hours later Sky Sports’ interview with Robinson, the German boss left the club by mutual agreement. He was in charge of just six games. Amy Merricks will once again be in interim charge of the Seagulls, having also done so following Powell’s departure.

But one thing will not change – Robinson will continue to progress as he has in the past few months and hope to get his prize at the end of the season.

“I definitely put my name down this season, with some goals and assists and contributions,” he added.

“It’s good to get recognition and the English also see that, which is nice. It’s something I didn’t expect. I just have to keep my head down and continue for the next few months.”

Robinson also represents the next generation of talent coming up for the Lionesses at senior level – the first wave since last summer’s Euro 2022 triumph.

He has now taken part in two international camps, earning three caps and making his first start for England last month when they played Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup. She was England’s man of the match, providing her first senior international assist for Rachel Daly’s opening goal.

With the World Cup on the horizon, Robinson is being talked about as a possible surprise addition to Wiegman’s squad for the tournaments in Australia and New Zealand.

But the 20-year-old doesn’t think too far ahead. As mentioned earlier, staying focused on the task at hand is a priority.

When discussing his World Cup squad, Robinson replied: “It’s something I’m not looking forward to because it’s a long way off and it’s definitely not going to be easy to put in, that’s for sure.

“I just have to keep my head, keep playing well, show what I can do. You don’t know, you can’t take it away, but I try not to think about it. I’m very young. , this is all very new to me, I just get the first team set-up so it will be amazing, but I have to keep my head down.

“The U23 that England have done is a good thing because it gives a player like me a chance to be noticed by England. time to go and Sarina is great to work with.

“To get into the team after the Euros is exciting. It’s a European championship, he’s an amazing player, so it’s a privilege to be among them. The most out of it.

“I didn’t expect to get those minutes [against Italy]. But I love it, I have my family there, 30,000 people in the crowd – I’ve never played in a crowd – and I really enjoy the game.

“I was nervous before, which is natural, but when I went, I was very happy. Playing with good players, you know you will get a good service. With my help, it was good to get Rachel.”

With everything he has achieved so far and watching him with the ball at his feet, it is hard to believe that Robinson is only 20 years old. With hopefully many years of football ahead of him, fans and Robinson himself should be excited for what lies ahead.

Watch Chelsea Women vs Brighton Women live on Sky Sports Football on Friday; kick-off 7.30pm.