Aggie Beever-Jones can become the poster girl for England's next generation, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH
There's a new kit, a 'new England' and now a new star on the scene.
At 21, Aggie Beever-Jones has been waiting in the wings, overshadowed as fellow young Lionesses Grace Clinton and Michelle Agyemang made the headlines.
At 19, Agyemang even marked her debut last month with a goal just 41 seconds after coming on.
But on Friday night everything changed.
An injury to Alessia Russo opened the door and Beever-Jones seized the opportunity, delivering a dazzling first-half hat-trick on her first England appearance at Wembley. A performance that was not only emphatic but the culmination of everything she's worked for.
'As cliche as it sounds, Sarina (Wiegman) said, 'It's a new kit, new England today. Go out there and put a graft in',' Beever-Jones said after the match.
Beever-Jones made a statement in England's 6-0 thrashing of Portugal - she's good enough to become the poster girl for the next generation
She did more than graft — she announced herself on just her third start in an England shirt, making it impossible for Wiegman to leave her out of her plans.
Her performance on Friday will come as no surprise to Chelsea fans who have been clamouring to see more of the Cobham graduate, knowing she had grown up near the training ground in Surrey.
After two seasons on loan at Bristol City then at Everton, Beever-Jones returned to Emma Hayes' Chelsea side last season where she impressed despite her minutes being carefully managed.
This season under Sonia Bompastor, Beever-Jones has gone from strength to strength. Capable of playing across the forward line, she has been the French coach's Swiss army knife as injuries to Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Mayra Ramirez threatened to blunt Chelsea's attack.
There have been two stand-out moments in the last few weeks, which both came against Liverpool. The first was a meeting in the FA Cup semi-final, where Chelsea were being held to a frustrating draw when Beever-Jones popped up in added time to head home the winning goal and book their spot at Wembley.
Then, in the last game of the league season, with nerves radiating around the team as, again, Chelsea were being held to a draw and their invincible season lay at risk, in the 91st minute Beever-Jones picked up the ball from deep. She dribbled at speed into the Liverpool penalty area before slotting in at the near post to confirm a WSL points record for the Blues.
A player for the key moments, on Friday Beever-Jones came to Wiegman's rescue with a hat-trick when the Dutch coach needed to silence the critics more than ever.
Characteristically prescient, Hayes said of the forward last year: 'Aggie Beever-Jones — don't forget that name. She's going to be a legend not just for Chelsea but for England.'
There certainly won't be anyone forgetting her name now.
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