Blanchard: I’ve never been in a team with so much quality

Women

17 Nov 2022

Crystal Palace Women's forward Annabel Blanchard has enjoyed a strong start to life in south London, playing seven times and netting against Coventry United. Here, she explains in her own words why the future looks bright for Palace.

I played football very early in my life – but growing up in Liverpool with three brothers, you sort of have to. My family are football mad – they’re big Evertonians, so when I was offered a trial at Liverpool Women it gave us a laugh.

But I signed aged 10 and stayed for almost nine years, initially balancing it with county level football too. Then at 18 I made the decision to leave despite being offered a contract.

With Liverpool in the Women’s Super League and me being a teenager I felt I wouldn’t play regular minutes at senior level for several years. I wanted to develop rather than fight for a place on the bench, so I moved to Leicester City, who were up-and-coming in the Championship and fielding a lot of young players who’d join for the same reasons as me.

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I fell out of love with football a bit in my second season there due to injuries and various other reasons. But at Blackburn Rovers I met a great group of girls, had consistent minutes and found a bit of form. I discovered my passion again after the most difficult time in my career, and that’s what football’s about: getting up when you’re down. I’d say I’ve done that.

I’ve always been quite an independent person, so living away from home doesn’t bother me – though my mum would hate to read that! Now I’m here in London with Palace I’m settling in well.

When things become tough that side of football can be quite hard, but having good support from friends and teammates helps. That’s certainly the case at Palace, where the team and staff are close-knit and help one another.

I joined Palace because I feel like they can help me become the player I aim to be. When I spoke to the staff I saw the level of coaching and detail they go into, and it’s the best I’ve ever had. You never go in thinking you’re in for an easy day – the detail in training and in the gym is out of this world. I love watching and studying football so appreciate working with people who have so much knowledge.

I’ve never been in a team that has so much quality, where everyone around you can do everything. I fit in because we’re possession-based and make things happen. Next I have to learn to be patient in that approach, but thankfully I have staff behind me who can pick out those points to improve on.

I’ve only been here for a short amount of time but the demand is already improving me, and I wanted to join a competitive environment where I’m challenged every day. It’s not easy, but you sense this team can do great things.

We’ve had a really good start to the season, but there’s a long way to go and things can change in the blink of an eye. The detail and standards here have allowed us to start strongly; we just have to sustain them throughout the season.

What helps, of course, is your backing. Even at London City away our fans were the loudest. You give us such a boost on the pitch and we hear you throughout the game.

That lifts morale and is massively appreciated. Women’s football is really driving on at the moment, so it would be great for people who haven’t yet come down to see what it’s about.

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Women
Annabel Blanchard

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