Chelsea defender Jorja Fox: Hope Powell gets a loan from Brighton before WSL returns | Football news
At the age of 19, many teenagers across the UK are living away from home for the first time. For most, it is for college. But as for Jorja Fox, she has moved to Brighton to play professionally, on a long-term loan from Chelsea.
“It’s my first time away from home, but it’s great that it’s only an hour away and I can visit whenever I want. My friends and family can come down as well so it’s great. And Brighton is not a bad place to live!”
The defender is blessed with a coastal position in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities over the next 10 months, but it’s clear her main focus is on self-development at Brighton.
She finds herself under another women’s soccer legend in Hope Powell, having trained under Emma Hayes since moving to the first team. It also follows a loan spell at Charlton last year, where she worked with Karen Hills.
Fox explained: “I had a few options at WSL, but for me and Chelsea, Brighton seemed the best fit. “Playing under Hope is a huge motivator and I think it will make me a better all-round defender at the end of this loan term.
“I’m settling into a good life, it took a while, but I feel comfortable here now. The facilities are amazing and I can’t wait for Sunday now.
“It’s been a privilege to play under Emma and I’ve learned a lot. But I’ve always thought it’s important to check in with yourself, get out of your comfort zone and come in. here to go to Brighton, play under a new manager, have to prove themselves again, adapt to different styles of training, different styles of management, I think that will be really important to me.
“Hope is a very respected manager and I hope I can get the best from her, which I think I will because so far it’s been so good and I’ve learned many things.
“Last season I played in the Championship and tried my hand at my first senior football. Now it’s time to step up to the WSL and challenge myself against the best players in the world and in Europe. This year is a really important tournament year in my development and I’m ready to take it by the ledge of the net and go for it.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Charlton. It’s good for me to play regularly after a year and a little bit at Chelsea when I’m not playing, but learning and training. So it’s good. for me when implementing what I learned at Chelsea into senior football.
“For me, the main thing I learned was the physicality needed to play at a high level. You have to be very tough, expect challenges, but hopefully I can bring that fitness into WSL and use it to play against the odds. continue.
“I feel very special and I don’t take it for granted. Having played under three different managers who are all very respected, I have learned a lot. I hope I have I can build on what I’ve learned from all three and use it to build on and help with my growth.”
Fox made his way through Chelsea’s youth levels, joining the club at the age of eight. Her mother has previously talked about taking her to the shops for treatments after her first trial, wondering what it was like to show her daughter such talent.
“I remember the trails very well,” reflected Fox. “When I was younger, I was very confident, I didn’t think I was very good, but my parents were always supportive and that’s why they took me to Chelsea for a trial.
“It was the London Olympics when I was testing and having the Olympic mascots. So after each test they would bring me a little bit of new merchandise with the Olympic mascots, so that’s the driving force for the Olympic mascots. me at that time.
“I am very grateful to my parents because without them, I would not be where I am today.
“As soon as I could walk, my parents took a ball with me wherever I wanted to go, whether it was a tennis ball or a football – we would go for a walk and I would have a ball with me, that’s what I love, I want a baby in one hand and a ball in the other.
“When I was about six years old, my dad took me to a local training center where I played with the boys for a few years. Then the next step was to become a competitive junior team, but my dad decided he didn’t want me in that environment, he wanted me to continue to grow and focus on that at that age.
“I tried for a few clubs and I joined Chelsea and I’ve stayed there ever since and worked my way through the ranks.”
Now, she is at the peak of her Brighton debut when they host Aston Villa on Sunday at Amex. The Seagulls sold more than 4,000 tickets to the game, more than the WSL games at Amex last season.
“It was a great occasion, playing at Amex as well as after the Euros. It was a big game against Aston Villa, but I think this team is ready. We are very excited to start, hopefully there will be a game. Good match voter turnout and create atmosphere and have a good start to the season.
“We have some really good, experienced players on this team, like Dan Carter. I can learn a lot from them and so far, we are a good team and we will learn. many things from each other as the season progresses.”
Amex was also the site of two huge wins for England in their triumphant Euro 2022 campaign – an 8-0 group stage win over Norway and a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Spain. It serves as a reminder to England’s young players – including the Fox international under-19 – of what they can achieve with their country.
“Summer couldn’t be much better,” said Fox. “Me, my family and friends, we actually went to the Euros, attended most of the matches and the atmosphere and buzz created by the fans was unlike anything we’ve seen before.
“Hopefully that can continue into the season and keep growing. What they did was an inspiration and it opened the door for the next generation to achieve what they’ve already achieved. and hopefully more.
“It’s been a privilege to play for my country and it always will be. We attended the AFC U19 Championship this summer and it was a great experience, even though it didn’t turn out the way it did. we want.
“We’ve got a really talented batch of players who will go a long way in their careers. We’re probably one of the favorites but this is the first major tournament. us and we are very inexperienced in that respect.
“It’s been a great learning curve for us. We’ve been a team since the Under-15s so we’re very attached and I wouldn’t want to experience that with another team.
“But those experiences at the youth level are very valuable and hopefully we can use them at the senior level and in the bigger competitions. It’s been a great experience and really helps with development. our growth. Hopefully we can continue to do that.”
How to follow WSL on Sky Sports…
Sky Sports – All 35 games will be available on Sky Sports’ flagship channels, including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
Sky Sports News – Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, fans of the Barclays FA WSL can enjoy Sky Sports News (channel 409) that covers the league and its storyline throughout the season.
Inside WSL – Hosted by award-winning broadcaster and journalist Jessica Creighton, Inside WSL is a comprehensive roundup of all Barclays FA Women’s Super League and women’s football content. Airing weekly on Sky Sports Premier League, the half-hour program will review and preview matches, including in-depth analysis and exclusive player interviews. Viewers can expect fascinating behind-the-scenes access as well as recaps of all the action both on and off the pitch.
Sky Sports Social – Along with coverage and visibility for the tournament on all major Sky Sports social media channels, its own Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will continue to be the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.
New for the 2022/23 season, the Sky Sports WSL TikTok account will provide fans with 360° coverage of the league and grant them exclusive access to their new favorite players. Also entering the tournament for the first time, a new Snapchat Discover program The Dub aims to be the platform’s new hub for Barclays WSL content.
Sky Showcase – All Sky customers will benefit from being able to watch the opening weekend fixtures on Sky Showcase (channel 106) without a Sky Sports subscription. This channel is designed to curate some of the top shows, movies and sports from across Sky’s channels.
Digital Sky Sports – Follow all of the latest from WSL on SkySports.com and the app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in-game clips play from games directly on Sky Sports. You can watch free highlights from every WSL game this season on Sky Sports’ digital platforms and YouTube channel.