Mead, Williamson, Walsh: Who has been England’s Player of the Year? | OneFootball

The Lionesses have enjoyed a truly remarkable year.

Having been crowned European champions on home soil this summer, Sarina Wiegman’s side went on to defeat world champions the USA at Wembley in October.

Now, after securing a 1-1 draw against Norway last week, England have gone an entire calendar year unbeaten and remain undefeated since Wiegman took charge last September.

Wiegman described the feat as “incredible” and could scarcely believe how much her team had achieved in such a short space of time.

“If you had said this would have happened from last September to now I wouldn’t believe you,” she stressed.

While everyone in England’s Euro 2022 squad is a hero in their own right, there were a few individuals that stood out above the rest over the course of the year.

We’ve taken a look at the possible nominees for the Lionesses’ Player of the Year:

VIDEO: England win Euro 2022

Who are the contenders for England’s Player of the Year?

Leah Williamson

Captain. Leader. Legend.

Wiegman made the big decision to make Williamson captain before the start of the Euros and it paid dividends.

The Arsenal star was a rock in the centre of defence throughout the tournament and proved to be an inspirational skipper.

Williamson missed England’s famous win over the USA through injury but she has still been one of the Lionesses’ standout performers.

Mary Earps

England are blessed with a number of talented keepers but Earps has made the number one shirt her own.

The Man United keeper was no doubt the Lionesses’ unsung hero at Euro 2022 — conceding just two goals all tournament.

Her four clean sheets tied her with fellow finalist Merle Frohms of Germany but it was Earps who was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Keira Walsh

Having been underappreciated for so long, 2022 was the year Walsh finally got the credit she deserves.

The 25-year-old controlled the midfield in every one of England’s games and was deservedly named the Player of the Match in the final.

Indeed, Walsh’s assist for Ella Toone’s goal against Germany will live long in the memory.

The former Man City star joined Barcelona in the summer — signing for a world-record fee.

Beth Mead

In 2021, Mead missed out on Team GB’s Olympic squad. This year, she has been one of the best players on the planet.

The forward scored six goals at Euro 2022 and won both the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament Award.

Women’s Ballon d’Or and placed second behind Spain’s Alexia Putellas.