Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lexi Potter starred in Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday
ByEmma SandersBBC Sport women’s football news reporter- Published8 minutes ago
With Sarina Wiegman set to name her latest England squad on Tuesday, there is one name everyone is talking about.
Lexi Potter.
The 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder has been a standout performer in the Women's Super League this season and has staked a claim to earn her first senior call-up.
After steady performances against Manchester United and Birmingham City, she caught everyone's attention with an impressive display against rivals Arsenal.
Potter helped Chelsea to a 1-0 victory and a third successive league clean sheet as she looked right at home among England's elite.
Former Lionesses striker Ellen White said Potter was "a special player", while Chelsea team-mate Lucy Bronze believed she could be the next Keira Walsh.
So why is everyone so excited about Potter and is she ready to join the England squad for the first time this week?
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'Special' Potter's impact in WSL
Potter's performance against Arsenal was the latest in a string of displays that have pleased manager Sonia Bompastor.
The Chelsea academy graduate broke through last season, scoring the winner on her first WSL start against Brighton in March.
It came after a two-year spell on loan at Crystal Palace where she gained regular first-team football and has already notched up 20 appearances.
This season Potter has stepped up, starting alongside England midfielder Walsh in three of Chelsea's four WSL matches.
Their partnership is flourishing and it has allowed Walsh to push further up the pitch and provide a goalscoring threat for the Blues.
Their winner against Arsenal came as a result of Walsh's saved shot falling to the feet of Alyssa Thompson, while Potter herself scored in the 2-0 victory over Birmingham.
When asked about Potter's impact, Bompastor said: "I was really happy with Lexi last season, though she probably didn't get as many opportunities as this season.
"For her age, being able to be consistent and in the way that she has been performing, I think it's great.
"People were probably looking at [the Arsenal game] to see her in a big occasion and whether she was able to repeat and sustain the performance.
"I think she proved that she can. Keira [Walsh] is playing at that level because she has more freedom to go forward by having Lexi next to her."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lexi Potter has started three of Chelsea's four WSL matches this season
Potter has shown immense composure on the ball and maintained a 93% passing accuracy in the WSL so far this season.
She ranks fourth among her team-mates in tackles and interceptions and has the third-best passing success rate at Chelsea.
The midfielder has already played 207 minutes, made 21 recoveries in the WSL and is yet to be on the pitch while her side have conceded a goal this term.
It's clear she is making an impact.
"Chelsea have spent a lot of money on players in that team but she has grabbed the opportunity," ex-England striker White told the Women's Football Weekly podcast.
"It seems like she is really learning from Keira Walsh and players around her in the environment. She is growing game by game and has great physicality.
"There was one point in the Arsenal game where she had three players around her and she just flicked it around the corner to Ellie Carpenter.
"That's special to do when you're that age."
Do England have another Keira Walsh?
Potter has slotted into the number six position at Chelsea, provided defensive cover for Walsh and shown she can play her way out under pressure.
She has similar traits to Walsh, who has been a significant figure for England since her debut in 2017 and has over 100 caps for Wiegman's side.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Walsh has been whether anyone was capable of filling in her shoes when the 29-year-old eventually moves on.
Potter's emergence suggests she is next in line - but in the meantime, could she develop a successful partnership with Walsh in England's midfield?
"We have been crying out for someone who maybe is the next Keira Walsh. The number six position is a really difficult one to play in," added White.
"Keira has been doing it so well for so many years and is now getting better this season. She has stepped up and maybe Lexi is pushing her.
"To have Lexi in the England fold, gaining experience in the senior squad would be brilliant to see. She looks really special."
Image source, OptaImage caption, Lexi Potter and Keira Walsh's average positions against WSL opponents (from left to right) Manchester United, Birmingham City and Arsenal
The Lionesses are hoping to secure qualification for next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil with a double-header against Greece in October.
After beating Arsenal, Chelsea boss Bompastor joked that she wished Potter could be French and believed she was ready for the international stage.
England defender Bronze, 34, added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm not the manager and Sarina [Wiegman] will make her choices but Lexi has been absolutely fantastic.
"She was last year too. I remember my first season at Chelsea and seeing her train at the level she was...
"Having a player like Keira to look up to, and base her style off and learn from, you can see in every game they are developing into the same player.
"If England have another Keira Walsh, it puts us in a very good position!"
