Annabel Blanchard: The potential of Crystal Palace squad is ‘crazy’
Annabel Blanchard reckons the potential of Crystal Palace’s squad is “crazy” and is aiming to get herself and the club into the Women’s Super League.
The Eagles come into their fourth season in a row in the Championship on the back of a record-breaking campaign. They finished fourth, just two points behind second-placed London City Lionesses, and also recorded their most wins and goals scored in a season.
Blanchard, 21, was one of 15 new arrivals this summer. The forward has bolstered Palace’s attacking options alongside Molly Sharpe, their top goalscorer from last season, with Bianca Baptiste and Siobhan Wilson both departing.
“I spoke to Dean [Davenport, manager] briefly about what it was that he wanted from me and the vision of the club, and everything seemed to align – I have visions myself of playing at the top level,” said Blanchard.
“I want to be playing at the highest level possible. The men are in the Premier League, and Palace are a big club – they deserve to be playing in the top tier of women’s football as well.
“I would love to be playing there with Palace, so that’s the goal. I have never had this level of coaching and detail before.
“I have improved little aspects already. If you put that together with everything, and the ability of the squad, then it’s scary to see what we could be able to do.
“We showed last weekend that we have come together in such a short space of time.”
Blanchard, who grew up as an Everton fan, graduated through Liverpool’s academy and made her WSL debut for the Reds at just 17 when she came on in the 82nd minute during a 3-0 loss to Arsenal.
“It was great coming through as a youngster,” Blanchard recalls.
“A lot of the way I am as a player and the style of football I like to play is down to Liverpool. I grew up learning a certain way of keeping the ball and playing football, so it had a massive impact on me as a player.
“It was surreal [making my WSL debut] – it was a proud moment for me and my family. It’s what you dream of when you’re growing up, but for me, it was where it all started – you don’t just stop there.
“My ambition now is to get back there and to be playing there regularly. Hopefully, that will be with Crystal Palace.”
Along with her impressive early debut in Liverpool’s first team, Blanchard has an excellent record in front of goal from her time in the England youth set-up.
The forward, who has been capped from U14 level by her country all the way up to U19 level, scored five in eight for the Lionessess’ U17 side and was a part of that side which reached the semi-finals of the Euro 2018 Women’s Championships.
“The [U17] Euros was my highlight so far,” said Blanchard. “Everyone dreams of playing for their country, and that’s my biggest ambition overall, to play for the senior side and play in major tournaments.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“I know my family all around the world watched, so it was a proud moment.“What a thing it would have been to be in that Euro [2022 Women’s] team and to win it. It was amazing, and the light that it shed on women’s football was brilliant.
“Hopefully, now that is just the start, and everything does really kick on in women’s football – it could kick start a whole new level.”
After a 1-0 win against London City last Sunday, the Eagles welcome Coventry United to Hayes Lane for their first home match of the season this weekend.
Blanchard has had spells in this division with Blackburn and Leicester, and she is under no illusions of how demanding the 2022-23 season will be.
“We heard the fans last weekend against London City, and they were great. It will be nice to be back on home soil, so hopefully, we can put a performance on and get the three points.
“The Championship will be tough this season. You saw last weekend that there was only one goal – except for Charlton’s [win against Southampton] – between every single game, so it’s going to be a season of fine margins.
“It’s all going to be about consistency, being ruthless and putting the ball in the back of the net.
“The ultimate goal is to get promoted, but we understand that we’re a newly formed squad. Everyone is on the right path, and that’s what we want, but it will be a difficult season.”
Davenport’s side will be playing at Selhurst Park when they host Southampton on September 18th.