The Future Is Loading: Meet the Young Lionesses Coming Through

Sophie Hurst
Feb 25
5 min read

Another international window is around the corner. All eyes will naturally turn to the senior Lionesses; the established stars, the Euros heroes, the names we know by heart.

But what about the future? England’s pathway is stacked. Beneath the senior squad sits a generation of players already gaining WSL minutes, captaining clubs, breaking records and quietly building serious reputations.

Here’s who to keep an eye on.

The Goalkeeper Conversation: Khiara Keating

At 21, Khiara Keating already feels like a familiar name. The Manchester City goalkeeper has been in and around the senior setup for over two years, even earning a cap and being part of the goalkeeper union at the Euro 2025.

Her absence from the current senior squad raises eyebrows, not because she lacks quality, but because she set the standard so early. Keating displaced Ellie Roebuck at City, effectively stepping into England contention in the process. She went on to win the 2023-24 WSL Golden Glove, overtaking, statistically at least, England’s then-number one Mary Earps.

She’s strong in 1v1 situations, aggressive at close range, and comfortable playing out from the back with both feet. Plus, saving a Kim Little penalty? Absurd.

But the thing with the goalkeeper position is that it is ruthless. Minutes, above all, are everything, and with Ayaka Yamashita now in the frame at City and Roebuck fit and playing more regularly at Villa, Keating’s game time has tightened. It’s a familiar cycle, the same one that once worked in her favour.

For now, she’s a huge asset to the U23s. Long term? She’s still very much in England’s future.

Midfield Maturity: Ruby Mace & Laila Harbert

Ruby Mace is 22, but her CV reads older. After a senior call-up in 2024 and a debut against Switzerland, she had plenty of top teams in Europe after her. However, a deliberate decision to turn down these teams, like Chelsea, ahead of the 2024-25 season in favour of something more valuable: minutes.

Now at Everton, she’s becoming integral. Primarily a number six, Mace has also slotted into centre-back this season, showing versatility that speaks to her intelligence. Moving to Everton was about control of her own trajectory and the ability to cement herself, prove her defensive midfield credentials and grow through responsibility.

Alongside her in the ‘wise beyond their years’ category is 19-year-old Laila Harbert.

Harbert has already experienced football on both sides of the Atlantic, returning from a loan at Portland Thorns and now developing at Everton on loan from Arsenal. A defensive midfielder by trade. She was described during her time on dual registration at Watford as a ‘cultured midfield player’ with a ‘really nice passing range’ who can play off both feet.

Still only 19, she earned a U23s call-up at 18, underlining how highly she is rated. Laila also captained the U17 Lionesses at the World Cup, a reflection of both her maturity and her leadership. Harbert has spoken about looking up to Kim Little’s example, leading through consistency and standards rather than noise.

Goals, Chaos and Game-Changers

If midfield is about control, this next group is about disruption.

Mia Enderby, 20, has been one of Liverpool’s sparks in a transitional season. With a new manager and a reshaped squad, the Reds have had to adapt. Enderby has often operated as a lone striker, and in one standout moment against Spurs, she came off the bench in the 81st minute and scored a brace in the dying moments, screaming - pressure? What pressure - energy.

She’s energetic, relentless, with real edge. A transition threat who makes things happen, as Arsenal experienced at the Emirates when she grabbed an assist and constantly drove at defenders. Even with the loan arrival of Martha Thomas limiting her minutes, the bench isn’t always a setback. Michelle Agyemang proved at Euros 2025 that late impacts can define tournaments.

Jessie Gale, 19, is another forward making serious noise. Currently on loan at Bristol City from Arsenal, after starting the season at Portsmouth, she simply cannot stop scoring.

Photo Credit: Bristol City Women's Football Club

Direct, explosive, always looking to get in behind, she’s a nightmare for defenders. But her impact stretches beyond the pitch. Open about her ADHD, she’s become an important role model for neurodivergent fans. She joined Arsenal’s academy at 17 and has already helped their U21s lift silverware, including the FIFA Youth Cup in Zurich. She’s also represented England at U19 level. The trajectory is obvious.

Then there’s record breaking, sixteen-year-old Layla Drury. The Manchester United forward became the club’s youngest-ever senior player, overtaking the legendary Lauren James, and scored on her debut against Burnley in a composed 1v1. Calm under pressure, brave in big moments.

She recently switched youth allegiance from Wales to England after a U19 call-up. She’s not tied down yet, but England will want to keep her close.

Leaders in the Making

Maisie Symonds might be 23, but she’s already captaining Brighton in the WSL, and the England U23s.

A Chelsea academy graduate of nearly a decade, Symonds controls tempo with composure beyond her years. Calm under pressure, sharp in possession, and tactically mature, she became the youngest captain in the league, edging out Maya Le Tissier.

And then there’s Chloe Sarwie, who has made the U23 squad at just 17. A Chelsea academy product since age 10, Sarwie has operated across the pitch before settling at left-back. She joined the first team on pre-season tour to the Netherlands in 2025, made her Champions League debut at 16 against Paris FC, and followed it with a WSL debut in January.

Still technically an U18 player. Already trusted at an age group above hers, telling us everything we need to know about her play style and future.

Championship Firepower: Lexi Lloyd-Smith

Lexi Lloyd-Smith, 22, is thriving at Bristol City in WSL2. After academy spells at Arsenal and Chelsea, plus time in US college football with the South Alabama Jaguars, she’s building something explosive.

Fast, direct and fearless, she thrives on driving at defenders. In the 2024-25 season, she scored 6 goals in her first 9 appearances, showing the league what she can do. This season, Lexi sits on seven, joint-top with several others.

What This Window Really Means

The senior Lionesses remain the headline act, but beneath them sits a conveyor belt of talent already tested in professional environments.

Goalkeepers winning Golden Gloves at 21, teenagers scoring on senior debuts, captains emerging in their early twenties and forwards who change games in ten-minute cameos.

The future of the lioness isn’t a rebuild waiting to happen, it’s a queue, and as this international window unfolds, it’s worth remembering that while today’s stars take centre stage, the next generation is already knocking.