Women's football: Jordan Nobbs says Leah Williamson deserved England award

Midfielder Jordan Nobbs says Arsenal team-mate Leah Williamson’s 2014 England Women's Youth Player of the Year Award is fully deserved.

Williamson received the accolade last week after impressing for England across three different age groups during 2014, scoring two international goals.

“Even in training I knew she was going to be something special,” Nobbs told Sky Sports. “You can see that drive in her and when I look at her I see some of the attributes that I had. She runs around and works so hard as a player.

“If you've got that you can get a lot further in life and I think she fully deserved that award. I think she'll be a massive part of our squad in the future.”

Williamson was deployed in every position except for goal by Arsenal last season but Nobbs hopes she can partner the 17-year-old in central midfield at club level in the future.

“You can put her anywhere on the pitch and she'll be able to do a great job,” Nobbs said. “I think that just shows her talent.

'Fantastic'

“I'm sure she'll get a set position soon and make a fantastic job of it. Hopefully (manager) Pedro (Martinez Losa) can find that right place for her and she can be a massive part of our club.

“Hopefully she keeps improving and hopefully I can play next to her as well. She's the type of person I'd want to play with.

“Anyone that has a work-rate like that I know I can definitely work off. If I can ever teach her anything I will, but if I can be next to her playing then we'll have a strong midfield.”

Nobbs was speaking at a north London school where she helped deliver an anti-discrimination workshop on behalf of the football inclusion campaign Kick It Out.

The Teesider is one of the organisation’s Next 20 ambassadors. Other Next 20 ambassadors include Nobbs’ England team-mate Toni Duggan, Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom.

“It's a privilege to be part of the Next 20 and a part of Kick It Out,” Nobbs said. “It's a big role. There are only 20 players and it's a privilege to be asked to do it. Hopefully I can come to more events.”