Layzell: My goal is to play for England | OneFootball

Naomi Layzell has stated her ambition to break into England’s senior squad in the near future.

But the versatile defender says her immediate focus is to return to full fitness and establish herself for Manchester City in our pursuit for silverware this term.

The 20-year-old was speaking on the latest instalment of the Official Man City Podcast which is released on CITY+ at 18:00 (UK) on Thursday 20 February.

In the episode, Layzell discusses a variety of topics including her Barcelona heroics in the Champions League, tasting promotion and relegation, influences and much more.

She also outlined her future goals which includes making her Lionessess debut after impressing for their Under-23s and regularly training with the first-team.

“It’s difficult to set a goal because there are so many things which are out of my control that will play into that,” she explained on the Official Man City Podcast.

“It would be an absolute dream to be able to go to the Euros in the summer [with England], but also I know there are a lot of things between then and now that can change – which could go for or against me.

“There are other great English defenders playing in England and abroad and it’ll be for Sarina Wiegman to decide.

“My goal is to be playing for England. It would be amazing to go to the World Cup in Brazil in 2027. That is a goal, but in terms in the summer, it would be amazing.

“But I need to focus on getting in and playing well at City and if that happens then potentially opportunities could come if the cards fall right.”

Layzell signed for City in the summer of 2024 having progressed through Bristol City’s Academy and consistently delivered sparkling displays for the Vixens between 2020 and 2024.

She then made her debut for the Blues in our Champions League second qualifying round second-leg win over Paris FC before making a further three appearances before the end of the calendar year.

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The last of which was in our memorable 2-0 win over Barcelona in Europe where the defender euphorically broke the deadlock in the success at the Joie Stadium.

Unfortunately, Layzell picked up an injury in the closing stages of the group stage triumph which kept her on the side lines until early February 2025.

But her taste of first-team football so far at City has her hungry for more before the term’s end.

She added: “It’s different for me because when I first came in my expectation, compared to when I played a few games, was very different.

“So, when I first came in I didn’t know what to expect – I probably thought I’d be a bench warmer to be honest because I was quite young coming into a team who had been really successful.

“Now, because I had a little taste of success before my injury, I need to sort of set an expectation that I want to be back in the squad, on the team, helping the girls to win games.”

“And I think that’ s the goal, but I also need to be a bit forgiving of myself if that doesn’t happen because we are a competitive squad and it’s high stakes, especially coming to the second half of the season.

“You can’t just be gifted chances, you have to earn and be deserving of them. That’s the aim and I want to be in and around the team and involved, hopefully.”