England's Alessia Russo aiming to make herself harder to play against in World Cup

The 24-year-old joined Arsenal on a free transfer before flying out to pre-World Cup camp in Australia, a deal that will see her separated from fellow Lioness and former Manchester United team-mate Ella Toone in the Women’s Super League from next season.

So, while this World Cup campaign, which kicks off for England against Haiti on Saturday, is monumental for the whole squad, it holds a unique significance for the duo who bonded a decade ago at junior England camp when they noticed they were sporting the same footwear.

“I mean, it’s sad, but it’s football,” said Russo, speaking after a training session on the Sunshine Coast.

“I think Ella and I were friends since we were like 12, 13, and we will be for, well, forever. And I think that it’s really nice that we’ve got this summer together to really spend some more time together, hopefully create some more amazing memories and then go into seasons together.

“But when she goes down south, she’ll stay with me and vice versa.

“We’re just there to balance each other out, really. Obviously we do loads together. Our rooms (in Australia) are next door to each other, we knock on the way down for breakfast so we spend a lot of time together. She’s like my sister. You never get sick of her so it’s nice.”

Russo lights up most when she speaks about football. She was particularly keen to discuss her development as a No 9 now under significantly more scrutiny than before England’s Euro 2022 triumph.

Russo, who scored four goals in that tournament, said: “That’s the nature of the sport. When a player plays more and you understand them more you can figure out ways to defend, but then that’s on me to try push myself even more.

“Obviously you’re not new anymore but you’ve got to find ways and find solutions so you can flip it into a positive. That’s what I’m trying to do – push on and learn to be better.

“People think the nine is easy but it’s hard and there are a lot of little things that go into it – hopefully when it comes to it I’ll be ready.”