Manchester City Ladies footballer Isobel Christiansen is set to become an even greater star for both club and country, according to England teammate Jordan Nobbs.
Christiansen, who began her career at Everton, signed for FA Women’s Super League giants Manchester City before the start of last season and has not looked back since.
The 24-year-old midfielder made 21 domestic appearances last term – the most of anyone for the Citizens – and scored nine goals, earning herself her first England cap in the process.
And England regular Nobbs, who plies her trade with FA WSL rivals Arsenal, reckons the only way is up for Christiansen and her side.
“Issy and I have played together now in the England squad since youth level, so I’ve always known what she can do as a player,” she said.
“She’s definitely improved a lot and I think that’s showed in her involvement with the England squad and in scoring goals for Man City too.
“Having teams coming up and challenging us only makes the league more exciting. Back in the day, Arsenal used to win everything and it’s not the same any more.
“As I player I want to be the best and the way to do that is to play against the best players out there, so it’s good to see other teams strengthening their squad as we get to play against them.
“Man City are definitely going to be one of those teams up there at the end of the season and will be tough to face every time we play them.
“They are in the Champions League for the first time though, and it may depend on how they take that.
“They could go all out for that at the end of the year, but it’s exciting to see an English team still in the competition and we’ll wish them good luck.”
Nobbs headed down to St Joseph’s RC Junior School in Wembley on Monday to help out with the fourth-round draw of this year’s SSE Women’s FA Cup competition, as the FA and SSE announced that all children will be able to attend this year’s final for free.
She already has three SSE Women’s FA Cup titles in her collection, but having missed out on the first ever final to be played at Wembley – watched by a record crowd of 30,710 and a television audience of nearly two million – Nobbs is determined not to miss out again this year.
But with all the FA WSL 1 teams entering the competition in the next round, Nobbs admits it is anybody’s title to win this year.
She said: “Even though we’re not entering the competition until the fifth round, just being here for the draw is a bit of a reality check that the FA Cup is back and to see the kids getting excited about it makes it even better for us.
“I think winning any trophy is going to give you a buzz, but the SSE Women’s FA Cup really is one of the best.
“There’s nothing more exciting than playing at Wembley. It was tough watching Chelsea lift the cup there last year but I believe we have a team that’s definitely strong enough to get there.
“There have been a lot of surprises in the last couple of years, both in the league and the Cup games, so I don’t think you can afford to take any team for granted. If you slip up once you’re out of the tournament.”
To buy your tickets to The SSE Women’s FA Cup Final, visit www.thefa.com
