Keira Walsh: Why the midfielder is essential to England's FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

In September 2022, Barcelona broke the world women's transfer record to sign Keira Walsh from Manchester City.

That move came after the defensive midfielder helped England to a first UEFA Women’s EURO triumph.

As her first season's in Spain's premier women's football league - La Liga Femenina - draws to a close, Walsh is preparing to represent her country on the world stage at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

And the 25-year-old will be one of the first names on Sarina Wiegman’s team sheet as England bid for a first women's World Cup title.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Barcelona and England’s Keira Walsh.

Keira Walsh: World stage setbacks and European success

Walsh was pivotal to England's success at the UEFA Women's Euros, setting up Ella Toone's opening goal in the final against Germany.

The midfielder played a pinpoint long ball from deep inside her own half for Toone to run onto with the Manchester United striker calmly chipping into the net.

But the confidence she showed in delivering that pass, and one that is key to her style of play, has not always been there.

After England’s semi-final exit to the USA at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Walsh suffered mentally and contemplated leaving the game for good.

She told FourFourTwo magazine that she "thought about not playing again" that had it not been for support from her then-club coach - former Manchester City boss Nick Cushing - "it would have been a lot more serious of a thought".

Through playing regular football in the Women’s Super League with City to working with a psychologist, Walsh was able to recover from her post-World Cup slump.

She still works regularly with psychologist Kate Green and steers clear of social media sites.

And since Wiegman's arrival as England manager in September 2021, Walsh has thrived for club and country, telling FourFourTwo, “Playing under Sarina massively helped, too, because she gives me the confidence to try things, which is what I need."

Keira Walsh’s Camp Nou Career

After her Women's EURO 2022 exploits, Walsh followed England teammate Lucy Bronze to Spanish giants Barcelona just before the end of the transfer window.

The lateness of the move meant she had to hit the ground running at her new club for the start of the new La Liga Femenina and Champions League seasons.

But Walsh settled in quickly as the team's midfield pivot, adjusting to Barcelona's famed 'tiki-taka' style of play and leaving her better equipped for England on the international stage.

Playing in Catalonia has also opened the midfielder to an entire new world of female football fandom.

From sold out domestic fixtures at Camp Nou to being recognised off the pitch, women’s football in Barcelona is one step ahead of that in England.

"There are fans outside the training ground asking for pictures and signed shirts, which I’m not really used to,” she told FourFourTwo. “At Manchester City, we didn’t have people waiting for us – it was only for the men – but it’s different here."

Where to watch Keira Walsh next

Walsh and Barcelona are still on track for a treble-winning season.

They are currently 13 points clear at the top of La Liga F with just seven games remaining.

Barcelona won the 2022-23 Supercopa in January, beating Real Sociedad 3-0.

They thrashed Osasuna 9-0 in the Copa de la Reina round of 16, but goalscorer Geyse Ferreira should have served a suspension having been sent off while playing for Madrid CFF in the previous season's competition.

Barca were expelled leaving them to concentrate on the Champions League where they got the better of the Roma in the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final clash with Chelsea on 22 and 27 April 2023.

The last time the sides met was in the 2021 Champions League Final with the Catalans winning 4-0 to clinch their first European title.

All fixtures from both the Women’s Champions League and La Liga F are available to watch live on DAZN.

Walsh is also in England’s upcoming Finalissima fixture against Brazil, as well as their international friendly against World Cup co-hosts Australia.

England will play Brazil in the first ever Women’s Finalissima at Wembley on 6 April.

Five days later, the Lionesses face Sam Kerr and Australia's Matildas on 11 April at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium.

Fans in the UK can watch both fixtures live on ITV or stream live on the ITVX app and website.

Upcoming fixtures:

• England vs Brazil: 6 April, Finalissima
• England vs Australia: 11 April, Friendly
• Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: 15 April, Liga F
• Chelsea v Barcelona: 22 April, Champions League semi-final first leg