Manchester United Women’s iconic no.7 Ella Toone is confident her relationships with fellow midfielders Jess Park and Julia Zigiotti Olme will continue to blossom this season.
Supporters have enjoyed watching Toone's ever-encouraging link-up play with Park since the latter joined from neighbours Manchester City in the summer.
In a slightly deeper role, Zigiotti Olme has also brought a fresh dimension to the middle of the park following her move from Bayern Munich.
In a recent interview for our official matchday programme, Ella explained she is encouraged by her connections with both and hopes there is more to come.
“I pass the ball to Jess more than anyone in games, and I know when I give her the ball in tight areas she can get out of it, and vice versa. I feel we’re linking really well.”
“I’ve really enjoyed playing alongside Jess, and I think it hasn’t taken us long to connect on the pitch. I know what type of player Jess is, and she knows what type of player I am.
“We’ve played a lot together before – we’ve trained together at England and we actually linked up really well at City’s academy as well, a long time ago. It’s been really nice. She picks up really good pockets and we pass to each other well.
“I pass the ball to Jess more than anyone in games, and I know when I give her the ball in tight areas she can get out of it, and vice versa. I feel we’re linking really well at the minute and hopefully that continues as the season goes on.”
“Julia’s been massive for us so far this season; she’s been really important in what we do.
“She brings a lot of energy, she breaks up play, she’s really good on the ball... but there’s the work she does off the ball too, as she’s a runner.
“With the likes of me and Hini around her, we’re quite technical, so having someone like Julia alongside you doing the dirty work is always nice.
“I hope her hard work doesn’t go unrecognised – for the players playing around her it definitely doesn’t – as she’s been massive for us this season.
“The midfield we’ve been having, with me, Lisa and Hini – when Lisa comes in it’s been working really nicely, and we all complement each other really well. We’ve worked hard building those connections and that’s showing on the pitch.”
“I hope her hard work doesn’t go unrecognised – for the players playing around her it definitely doesn’t – as she’s been massive for us this season.”
Speaking of relationships, Ella is enjoying her official role as vice-captain and feels her leadership skills are developing with experience. But the opportunity to wear the armband has not arrived due to Maya Le Tissier’s incredible consistency!
“Correct, I’ve never worn it! [Laughs]
“I don’t think it’s changed things for me [being vice-captain]. I’ve been at United since I was a young girl and now I have so much experience in football – playing for my club, playing in FA Cup finals, playing for England, playing at the Euros, playing at the World Cup... I feel like I’ve grown over time.
“I haven’t changed in the sense that I’ve tried to give absolutely my best in every game I play, and to lead by example in that way, but also to speak up when I need to speak up, and to encourage people.
“I’ve just developed that more over time and nothing has changed there, being in the vice-captain role. It’s a role I embrace and I hope that I do a good job.”