England midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown has expressed her determination to "prove people wrong" after securing her position as a regular starter for Manchester City this season. The 22-year-old athlete revealed that at the beginning of the campaign, there were uncertainties from City’s head coach, Andree Jeglertz, who even considered sending her out on loan due to doubts about her readiness for top-flight football. However, a series of injuries in the midfield opened the door for Blindkilde Brown, and she seized the opportunity with both hands, starting 16 out of 19 matches in the Women’s Super League (WSL) this season.
Her outstanding contributions have been instrumental in helping City establish a commanding nine-point lead at the top of the WSL table as they pursue their first league title in a decade.
Overcoming Doubts and Building Confidence
Reflecting on her journey, Blindkilde Brown acknowledged that Jeglertz had initial reservations about her capabilities, particularly because she hadn’t been a regular starter at a top club prior to this season. “Maybe at the start of the season [Jeglertz] had his doubts. I hadn't been a regular in a top club before, and I'm still a young player,” she shared. Despite these concerns, she managed to demonstrate her abilities on the field. “The belief he’s shown in me has been really helpful. He’s had faith."
Blindkilde Brown also noted the challenge posed by her stature as one of two smaller midfielders alongside Yui Hasegawa. There were assumptions that their physicality might be a disadvantage, but they have both proven that their technical skills and ability to control the game far outweigh any physical limitations. “I think we’ve proven that we like to play football, so that’s ultimately outweighed anything else,” she stated. With City currently leading the league, her confidence has grown tremendously.
Seizing Opportunities on the International Stage
After joining Manchester City for £200,000 from Aston Villa in 2024, where she made 58 appearances as a teenager, Blindkilde Brown has since earned four caps for the England national team. However, her position in Sarina Wiegman's squad is competitive, especially with multiple world-class players vying for midfield roles. With recent injuries among her teammates, there is an opportunity for her to make an impact during the upcoming Women's World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley.
“There’s world-class players here, and the midfield is really strong, so I knew I’d have to be patient,” she explained. Being surrounded by familiar faces from City has helped her feel more at ease in the national setup, allowing her to adapt more quickly to the team's dynamics. “The standard at City is pretty similar to the standard here. Ultimately, how I play at City is why I get picked for being here,” she added.
As she continues to develop her game, Blindkilde Brown has adapted to playing both attacking and defensive roles within Jeglertz's system. This versatility has not only enhanced her performance but also increased her chances of contributing to the national team. “I went to City because I knew I was going to improve so much as a player. Those first few years and months were about development,” she reflected. By focusing on her out-of-possession work and adapting her role in midfield, she believes she has made significant strides in her overall game. “I feel like I've really developed as a player since being there. Being given the opportunity this year to have more game time has been really nice.”
