Lucia Kendall couldn’t have been more relaxed when Sarina Wiegman rang to tell her she was being called up to the England senior squad for the very first time.
In fact, she was at home, watching television – and missed the manager’s call completely.
“I got a text saying it was Sarina so I called her back,” Kendall said to media.
“She told me I was getting called up. I was shocked – it was a real surprise.”
Lucia Kendall: Signing for Villa was a big thing
Kendall signed for Aston Villa over the summer, having spent the previous years with Southampton – and the 21-year-old says that the switch was “a big thing”.
“I’ve gone there because I think Villa is a great club and with the intention of hopefully if I could put in some good performances and get into the team and play regularly, maybe I could get a look in [with the Lionesses] towards the end of the season, so I really didn’t expect it at all.
“Everyone’s on their own timeline. This has all happened so quickly. I’ve just taken everything in my stride, I think.”
Kendall has progressed through the England youth squads so is used to representing her country, but knows that being part of the senior squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and then Australia will be different.
“I’m excited to get on the pitch today and start the prep for the two games,” she said.
“I think it’s really exciting, playing two teams that aren’t in Europe and teams you don’t tend to play – two very different styles of play as well. It’ll be exciting just to be in and around the squad.”
Kendall: I want to learn and get better
And she says she has lots still to learn – and that the England camp is a great place for her to learn it.
“It’s kind of crazy. The environment is full of world-class players and seeing how they work and them on the pitch and just learning as much as possible.
“I want to come in here and show what I’m about but also, this group has just won back-to-back EUROs, so there’s so much for me to learn. I’m just someone that wants to learn and get better.”
