Roebuck assesses development of ‘unstoppable’ Walsh | OneFootball

City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck believes Keira Walsh has taken her game to a new level this season.

Still only 25, the midfielder became just the second female player to surpass the 200-appearance mark for City in March 2022.

A key figure for both Club and country, she is sure to play an important role in England’s pursuit of European Championship glory this summer.

And Roebuck believes Walsh’s development of her defensive game has seen her transform into a hugely effective box-to-box midfielder.

DOWNLOAD THE MAN CITY APP

“I just love playing with Keira so much. Nobody can do what she does as well as she does it, and I will say that to anybody,” the City stopper explained.

“For that reason, knowing that she’s there is a great comfort for me. She’s an unbelievable player to have – and defensively now as well.

“She’s really improved that side of her game, breaking up the transitional play.

“She’s become a box-to-box midfielder – we all knew she could pass it and drop it on a sixpence but now she’s added that grit to her game, she’s unstoppable.”

WATCH: Chloe Kelly: Coming back stronger

Roebuck has also been delighted with the progress young goalkeeper Khiara Keating has made across the 2021/22 campaign.

The 17-year-old made her senior debut for the Club in a Continental Cup clash with Leicester City in January, followed by another assured display three days later in a 3-0 WSL triumph over Aston Villa.

And City’s number one has encouraged Keating to continue pushing for a starting spot in the coming years, describing the youngster as a joy to work with.

She said: “KK (Khiara Keating) is my little mate! I’ve really tried to take her under my wing and hopefully, she buys into the advice I’m giving her.

“She’s a great kid to work with. She makes training really bright because she’s so bubbly. She’s got a good sense of humour but she’s also willing to learn and willing to take on advice.

“She’s nice to work with and she’s very talented. I’m trying to push her and I’ve told her: in a few years, she can take my jersey if she wants it.

“She’ll be chasing my heels, but I want her to be. I’m going to push her every day.”