England and Arsenal ace Michelle Agyemang insists ‘there is more to come from her’ with the Lionesses ahead of the Euros
SURREAL is how Michelle Agyemang described her emergence as a senior England international this year.
Last month the versatile Arsenal striker, 19, showed why Gunners and England legend Kelly Smith sees her as one of the club’s “fearless” rising stars.
Less than a minute into her senior debut, the England ace let fly with a stunning volley that found its targets in a Nations League duel with Belgium.
While the Lionesses fell to a 3-2 away loss in that game on April 4 Agyemang’s 16-minute cameo underlined why her rise through England’s ranks has been rapid.
After scoring a hat-trick in a 10-0 demolition of Lithuania in the Women’s Under-19 Championship last July, the striker moved up to England’s Under-23s two months later.
And just two months after scoring a brace against Germany in a friendly for the side, she received first call-up into Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.
Of her emergence as a senior international player, Agyemang said: “I’m a person of few words, so I’m struggling already.
“I think it’s ‘surreal’, like, just the manner in which it happened.
“There are so many more things to come and I’m just really grateful for the opportunity.”
Agyemang’s appearance in England’s last Nations League outing came at a time of the team contending with injuries to Alessia Russo and Lauren James.
Forward Lauren Hemp, now back in the squad after her comeback from injury, was also yet to return to match action for her club Manchester City.
With the trio out, Wiegman opted to bring in Agyemang who impressed during her loan spell at Brighton from Arsenal last season, as well for the young Lionesses.
Reflecting on her first call-up and being in England’s squad this month, she added: “When I got the phone-call [from Sarina when I was] just literally coming out of the shower,
“It was unexpected, but I’m really grateful that she’s put the trust in me to come in and show what I can do for a longer period of time.
“It was amazing to get that call and to be here again.
“My family has been so supportive. When I was telling them my mum was screaming, my dad was shouting as well and then my friends as well.”
Playing across three different age groups for England within 11 months does not phase Agyemang.
The player who grew up in Southend, Essex and whose club journey with Arsenal began in their academy at six, is determined to deliver no matter which Lionesses side she plays for.
Agyemang said: “Wherever I am (in whichever England team) it’s about just going out there, helping the team prepare and winning the trophy.
“We still have the Under- 19’s Euros coming up (in June) as well as the senior Euros
“It’s been interesting going through the different age groups, meeting different players and coaches.
“But I think the England pathway is so similar across the board so it’s really easy to settle in no matter where I am.”
Against Portugal at 7:45pm tonight Agyemang hopes to get another chance to make her mark and help England return to winning ways in the Nations League.
Should Spain lose to Belgium, a defeat of their opponents at Wembley would see Wiegman’s side return to the top of their group.
Agyemang’s last experience of being near Wembley’s pitch was during England’s 4-0 defeat of Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021.
She said: “I was 15 and was a ball girl. They had a few of the girls from (England’s) pathway there. Beth Mead scored (a hat-trick).”
Tonight’s game will provide a chance for Agyemang to continue to impress with the striker targeting a place in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for this year’s Euros.
In Switzerland on July 5 the Lionesses will begin their push to win the tournament for a second time with a group stage clash with France.
And Agyemang hopes to be among the players included in Wiegman’s 26-strong group.
The Arsenal starlet added: “I like to take things one at a time.
“Coming here (to England’s camp), showing what I can do in order to maybe get on that plane is my first thought right now.”