Drew Spence interview: Drew Blue – Birthday bliss for double winning debutant

Chelsea midfielder Drew Spence, described as an unsung hero of the club’s double-winning season, caps her campaign with a first England call-up as Mark Sampson’s squad travel to China for the CFA International Tournament. Sampson hands her a senior debut as a substitute against China on the Friday she turned 23, saying he had noted her talent playing for Chelsea Under-18s against his Bristol Academy side and that improved physical condition and on-field discipline had earned the call. Spence, who joined Chelsea in 2008, reflects on standing by while Eni Aluko, Ji So-Yun and Katie Chapman took the plaudits, credits Chapman’s help alongside her in midfield, and notes that going full-time cut her from seven or eight yellow cards a season to none. A profile box records her birth date, London origins, previous club Fulham and one cap. Wolfsburg await in the Champions League.