With Sarina Wiegman preparing to name her latest England squad on Tuesday, Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has emerged as one of the strongest candidates for a first senior call-up.
The 20-year-old has been one of the standout performers in the Women’s Super League this season, building on encouraging displays against Manchester United and Birmingham City with an impressive performance against Arsenal.
Potter helped Chelsea secure a 1-0 victory over their London rivals and a third successive league clean sheet, looking composed and comfortable against elite opposition.
Former England striker Ellen White described Potter as a “special player”, while Chelsea team-mate Lucy Bronze suggested she could develop into the Lionesses’ next Keira Walsh.
So, what has made Potter such an exciting prospect, and is she ready to make the step up to senior international football?
Potter’s performance against Arsenal continued an impressive run that has earned praise from Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor.
The academy graduate made her breakthrough last season, scoring the winner on her first WSL start against Brighton in March.
That opportunity followed a two-year loan spell at Crystal Palace, where Potter gained valuable first-team experience and made 20 appearances.
This season, she has taken another significant step forward.
Potter has started alongside England midfielder Walsh in three of Chelsea’s opening four WSL matches, with their partnership giving Walsh greater freedom to move forward and influence attacks.
Chelsea’s winner against Arsenal highlighted that dynamic, with Walsh’s saved effort eventually falling to Alyssa Thompson. Potter also demonstrated her own attacking ability by scoring in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Birmingham City.
Bompastor has been particularly impressed by the youngster’s consistency.
“I was really happy with Lexi last season, though she probably didn’t get as many opportunities as this season,” she said.
“For her age, being able to be consistent and in the way that she has been performing, I think it’s great.
“People were probably looking at the Arsenal game to see her in a big occasion and whether she was able to repeat and sustain the performance.
“I think she proved that she can. Keira is playing at that level because she has more freedom to go forward by having Lexi next to her.”
Potter’s composure in possession has been one of the most impressive elements of her breakthrough.
She has maintained a 93% passing accuracy in the WSL this season, the third-best success rate among Chelsea players.
The midfielder also ranks fourth among her team-mates for tackles and interceptions.
Across 207 league minutes, Potter has registered 21 recoveries and Chelsea are yet to concede a goal while she has been on the pitch.
White believes Potter has taken full advantage of her opportunity despite the considerable competition within Chelsea’s squad.
“Chelsea have spent a lot of money on players in that team but she has grabbed the opportunity,” White said.
“It seems like she is really learning from Keira Walsh and players around her in the environment. She is growing game by game and has great physicality.
“There was one point in the Arsenal game where she had three players around her and she just flicked it around the corner to Ellie Carpenter.
“That’s special to do when you’re that age.”
Potter has primarily operated as a number six for Chelsea, providing defensive protection while demonstrating the composure required to play through opposition pressure.
Those qualities have inevitably led to comparisons with Walsh, who has been a key figure for England since making her senior international debut in 2017 and has earned more than 100 caps.
Finding a long-term successor to the 29-year-old has been an important question for England, and Potter’s emergence provides Wiegman with another potential option.
For now, however, the pair are showing they can complement each other effectively at club level.
“We have been crying out for someone who maybe is the next Keira Walsh,” White said.
“The number six position is a really difficult one to play in.
“Keira has been doing it so well for so many years and is now getting better this season. She has stepped up and maybe Lexi is pushing her.
“To have Lexi in the England fold, gaining experience in the senior squad would be brilliant to see. She looks really special.”
England are preparing for an October double-header against Greece as the Lionesses look to secure qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Following Chelsea’s victory over Arsenal, Bompastor joked that she wished Potter could represent France and suggested the midfielder was ready to step onto the international stage.
England defender Bronze has also been impressed by Potter’s development.
“I’m not the manager and Sarina will make her choices but Lexi has been absolutely fantastic,” Bronze told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“She was last year too. I remember my first season at Chelsea and seeing her train at the level she was.
“Having a player like Keira to look up to, and base her style off and learn from, you can see in every game they are developing into the same player.
“If England have another Keira Walsh, it puts us in a very good position!”
Whether Potter receives her first senior England call-up remains Wiegman’s decision, but her performances for Chelsea have ensured she is firmly part of the conversation.
