Five facts about England teenage striker Michelle Agyemang
1. She joined Arsenal at the age of six
Agyemang is a lifelong Arsenal fan and joined the club's academy at the age of six, after her dad, a grassroots football coach, secured her a trial.She started out playing as a defender but developed into a striker.Agyemang played through the age categories and moved into Arsenal's first-team set-up, making her debut in November 2022 at the age of 16.She scored her first goal for the club two months later and made her first appearance in a European competition in Arsenal's Champions League semi-final in May 2023.Agyemang has also had loan spells with Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
2. She was a regular goalscorer for the Young Lionesses
Before joining the senior side, Agyemang had been a regular goalscorer for the Young Lionesses. She made 25 age-group appearances for the national team - from the under-16s to the under-23s.She scored 10 goals in 12 appearances for the under-17s, before making the step up to the under-19s team.Then within the space of a few days in April this year, she went from scoring for the under-19s to producing an amazing debut for the senior side, which led to her Euros call-up.
3. She has previously been a ballgirl for England
Euro 2025 isn't technically Agyemang's first senior tournament appearance for the Lionesses. Did you know she's previously appeared as a ballgirl for England?In October 2021, Agyemang was at Wembley Stadium during Sarina Wiegman's first game in charge of the Lionesses.And it appears she could well have been a lucky mascot that day.England went on to win the match 4-0 against Northern Ireland.
4. She scored on her England senior debut
Scoring on your England senior debut is something many players dream about, but how about netting your first England goal just 41 seconds after being subbed on?That's exactly what happened to Michelle earlier this year.She made her first senior appearance in the Nations League against Belgium in April.The 19-year-old fired in a stunning volley within a minute of coming on as a substitute late on in the game.After the match, Wiegman was full of praise for Agyemang."That goal was just incredible. The composure, the first touch and the second touch. For her, it was really nice that she comes on and within a minute she has the moment," she said.
5. She's the youngest Lioness at Euro 2025
Despite having only played 14 minutes of senior international football, manager Sarina Wiegman named Agyemang in England's Euro 2025 squad last month.At the age of 19, Agyemang is the youngest Lionesses at the tournament - and also the only teenager.But the striker says she's ready to play and support her fellow teammates."Just focusing on how I can improve my game and how I can help the team is my most important thing."All of us on the bench know that we could be called upon any time and we have gone through scenarios. It could be anyone at any time," Agyemang added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
2 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Premier League 2025-26 preview No 7: Chelsea
Guardian writers' predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Michael Butler's prediction but the average of our writers' tips) Last season's position: 4th Securing Champions League qualification on the last day of the Premier League season and an unlikely Club World Cup triumph have transformed the club, their finances and ambitions for 2025-26. Chelsea stayed relatively under the radar for much of the Club World Cup – in part because of their relatively kind route to the later stages – but their commanding 3-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the final means they are again regarded as a potentially dominant European force and perhaps even as contenders for the Premier League title. That is if Chelsea are ready – mentally, physically and tactically – for the new season. By the time Chelsea played the Club World Cup final on 13 July, nearly every other Premier League side had started their pre-season. Since then, while Liverpool, Arsenal and co have been hard at work, the players have had three weeks off and returned on Monday, with two friendly matches, two days apart, scheduled before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on 17 August. To say Chelsea are playing catch-up is a severe understatement. That said, this is probably the most exciting period for Chelsea since the Champions League triumph in 2021. With the exception of goalkeeper and possibly centre-back, Enzo Maresca has a claim to having two elite players in every position and he could yet add further depth with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho heavily linked. Departures will be needed to trim the fat and balance the books – Chelsea were given a €31m (£27m) fine last month by Uefa for breaking financial rules – but few would argue against them having the deepest squad in the league and one of Maresca's biggest challenges will be maintaining harmony and continuity, on and off the pitch. Last season, the Conference League was a useful chance to rest and rotate players. The Champions League will not be so accommodating. As recently as April, Maresca was at odds with the Chelsea fans and appeared to blame a negative environment at Stamford Bridge for a 2-2 home draw with Ipswich that left top-five hopes fading fast. But five wins from the final six league games secured fourth place, saving Chelsea's season and possibly Maresca's job. 'They were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough,' he said. 'Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong. So in English, how do you say? Eff-off to all of them.' Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph – and the tactical masterclass by Maresca in the final to neutralise PSG's front three and create pockets of space for Cole Palmer – means he will get a very different reception at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's league opener. Chelsea's much-maligned financial gymnastics of recent years – the eight-year contract amortisation (a loophole closed by Uefa), the sale of their hugely successful women's team (to their own parent company) and their rampant use of multiclub ownership and the loan system – have infuriated rivals and allowed them to assemble one of the deepest, youngest, most talented squads around. In the Todd Boehly era, Chelsea have spent more than £1.5bn and the club face an additional €60m fine from Uefa if they fail to comply with regulations over the next four years. A bigger stadium would help, but what Chelsea do with Stamford Bridge remains unclear; the 40,044-capacity ground is not easily developed given challenges ranging from the freehold to a nearby railway line. A move to Earl's Court has been mooted. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Estêvão was courted by PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and is widely regarded as the biggest talent to come out of Brazil since Vinícius Júnior. The 18-year-old's performances at the Club World Cup – including a brilliant strike for Palmeiras against Chelsea in the quarter-final – suggests that the summer arrival is already world class. Players swooned over the teenager at the final whistle in Philadelphia – 'I told Estêvão: 'We are excited for you to join' but he didn't understand a single word I said,' Palmer said after swapping shirts with the £52m signing. Capable off both wings or as a No 10, the slender Estêvão will want to impress the former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, now of Brazil, before the World Cup next summer. 'He potentially can be a top defender for this club,' Maresca said of Josh Acheampong after the defender's performances at the Club World Cup prompted whispers that several clubs in England and Europe were tracking the teenager. How the 19-year-old fits into Maresca's plans remains to be seen, but his versatility, 6ft 3in stature and composure enabled him to enjoy a breakthrough year with 13 first-team appearances. Naturally a right-back or a centre-back but capable of playing anywhere across the backline, Acheampong joined Chelsea as an under-eight and signed a new five-year contract in 2024. 'The clubs that were mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh,' Maresca said. 'The best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Roméo Lavia. The 21-year-old's quality is not in question. Chelsea are a better side with Lavia, more fluid and press-resistant, and he was sensational in a 3-1 win against Liverpool in May when he completed 100% of his passes. Maresca even moved Moisés Caicedo to right-back to accommodate Lavia alongside Enzo Fernández at the back end of last season, but concerns remain over the Belgian's fitness. After a first year when he managed 32 minutes in 2023-24, another injury-hit campaign followed, starting 11 league games. Another year on the sidelines could spell trouble, particularly as Chelsea have Caicedo, Fernández, Dário Essugo, the impressive Andrey Santos and perhaps Reece James competing for two spots in defensive midfield in Maresca's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Darwin Nunez 'poised for mammoth wage increase' as Liverpool flop closes on £46m Saudi Pro League move
Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez is reportedly in line for a significant increase in wages should he complete a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The Premier League champions and Al-Hilal are said to have reached an agreement on a transfer fee for the Uruguayan forward. Al-Hilal are expected to pay a £46million fee, plus add-ons, to sign the forward. It represents a sizeable reduction on the £85m deal Liverpool agreed to sign the forward three years ago. According to talkSPORT, Nunez is expected to benefit financially by agreeing to join the Saudi Pro league side. The report claims Nunez will be paid a staggering £400,000-a-week at the big spending club. This would almost triple his reported £140,000-a-week wages at Liverpool. Speculation surrounding the striker has swirled for much of this year, with Al-Nassr seeing a bid rejected in January. Napoli also expressed an interest but they refused to meet Liverpool's valuation, while AC Milan are another side understood to considered an approach. Nunez had arrived at Liverpool from Benfica but has struggled to live up to his £85m transfer fee. The frontman has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds, but has faced criticism throughout his spell for a series of missed chances. Last season, he netted just seven goals and registered four assists in his 45 appearances across all competitions. Nunez was limited to just eight starts in the Premier League during their title winning campaign. His prospects at Liverpool were furthered placed into doubt following the £79m signing of Hugo Ekitike and pursuit of Newcastle forward Alexander Isak.
Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Wayne Rooney's son Kai bumped up three age levels as he is named in Man United squad for international tournament featuring PSG
Wayne Rooney 's son Kai has taken a major step in his budding football career after earning a shock call-up to Manchester United 's Under-19 squad for the prestigious Mladen Ramljak Tournament in Croatia – despite being just 15 years old. The teenager, who can play either as a No 9 or out wide, has been promoted three age groups following his standout performances at the Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland last week. Kai scored and assisted as United's Under-16s reached the final, losing narrowly to Southampton. Now, barely into his summer holidays, Kai is lining up against players up to four years older than him at one of Europe's top youth tournaments. The Mladen Ramljak Memorial, hosted in Zagreb by Croatian giants Dinamo, has become a magnet for scouts and elite academy sides – with previous editions featuring the likes of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Eduardo Camavinga. United have been drawn into Group A alongside Rapid Bucuresti, Juventus and Dinamo Zagreb – the defending champions. Kai and his young teammates kick off their campaign on Thursday against Rapid. The tournament concludes on Sunday with placement matches and a final between the group winners. Group B comprises Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk – all of whom are represented by their top youth squads. The Red Devils' decision to fast-track Kai into the squad is being seen as a vote of confidence in his long-term potential. United are also understood to have included a handful of other younger players from their U15 and U16 ranks. That includes 14-year-old striker JJ Gabriel, the Nike-signed prodigy dubbed 'Kid Messi ', who scored twice on his Under-18 debut against Leeds earlier this year. Kai's call-up comes off the back of a strong showing in the Super Cup NI. The tournament – formerly known as the Milk Cup – holds special significance for the Rooneys, with Wayne having played in it himself for Everton back in 2000. Wayne and wife Coleen were ever-present throughout the tournament, cheering from the stands alongside their younger sons Kit and Cass. They also took time out to enjoy the local attractions – including a visit to Curry's Fun Park in Portrush, where Wayne and his sons were spotted on the bumper cars. The couple posed for photos with staff and mingled with onlookers, drawing praise for their down-to-earth demeanour. After the final, Wayne posted a proud message on social media: 'Great few days in Coleraine for the SuperCupNI. Well done to Kai and the Manchester United lads on a brilliant effort throughout the tournament. Congratulations to Southampton on the win. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.' When asked about offering advice to his eldest son, Wayne said he prefers a hands-off approach. 'He just plays, that's what he's always done. It's unfair to expect too much — he's only 15. But he handles the pressure of his surname very well.' Kai joined United's academy in 2020 at the age of 11 and has steadily worked his way through the youth ranks. His playing style draws natural comparisons to his father, while staff at United have praised his composure, movement off the ball, and eye for goal.
