World Sevens: City players pick their dream seven-a-side teams | OneFootball

Laura Blindkilde Brown, Naomi Layzell, Aoba Fujino and Laura Wienroither have each constructed their ultimate seven-a-side team ahead of the inaugural World Sevens tournament.

City face FC Rosengard, Ajax and Bayern Munich in the first-ever World Sevens tournament later this week in Lisbon.

The competition, spanning three days from Wednesday 21 - Friday 23 May, sees eight European powerhouses do battle in an exciting seven-a-side format.

As we prepare to travel to Portugal, some of our squad were asked to pick their dream seven-a-side team...

Laura Blindkilde Brown

Goalkeeper – Khiara Kheating

"She’s really good with her feet and in seven a side you have to use the goalkeeper a lot. She’s also really good at shot stopping as well."

Defenders – Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze

"Alex is a solid defender and she’s just really good on the ball.

"Lucy works so hard and she’s equally good at defending and getting forward as well."

Midfielders – Yui Hasegawa, Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp

"Yui is a given – she’s one of the world’s best, so I’d pick her by a mile. Then I'd pick Viv, if you’re counting her as a midfielder and finally Lauren because she's good at scoring goals."

Striker – Bunny Shaw

"That choice doesn’t need an explanation."

Naomi Layzell

Goalkeeper – Daphne van Domselaar

"Daphne has been really good so far this season for Arsenal and has helped them to reach a Champions League Final."

Defenders - Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze

"They’ve both been pretty solid throughout their career and won a lot of trophies, so they deserve to be in there."

Midfield - Grace Clinton, Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp

"Midfield maestro Yui has to go in there. She’s so intelligent, technically unbelievable and can just unlock any defence.

"Grace Clinton battles hard, she has a bit of fire and can score a good goal, then Lauren speaks for herself with what she does."

Striker – Vivianne Miedema

"It was a difficult choice between Bunny and Viv, but I’d probably start Viv because she’s the WSL top goal scorer."

Aoba Fujino

Goalkeeper - Ayaka Yamashita

"She’s very good at building up in the attack. I’ve been playing with her at the national team as well, so I feel very safe to have her as goalkeeper."

Defender - Laia Aleixandri and Risa Shimizu

"Laia is very physical but also good at building up. She’s always motivated to win, and she’s a very good defender.

"Risa has been injured but when she plays, she moves a lot and is very clever. It’s really helpful having her there and I can learn a lot from her."

Midfield - Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp and Mary Fowler

"Everyone knows Yui, she’s a world-famous midfielder. Just being there, we feel very positive attacking and defending. Her anticipation is excellent, she’s essential to help us win a game.

"Lauren is very good at dribbling and also her close control. She’s very skilful and powerful, she’s an excellent player and I just really admire her.

"Mary is very good on the ball and her through balls are excellent to release her team-mates. There’s nothing she’s missing. She’s an excellent player, her strength is attacking but she’s such a good player."

Striker – Vivianne Miedema

"It’s very difficult to only choose one striker but I will go for Viv [Miedema]. It doesn’t sound very polite to explain her in one word, but I’d just say she’s a genius.

"There’s no wasted movement, her shots are accurate and her positioning is perfect. She thinks about the other players and the team so it’s very easy to play with her. When we need her, she’ll give the help, she’s excellent."

Laura Wienroither

Goalkeeper - Khiara Keating

"I think she's good with her feet and a good shot-stopper. She has it all.

Defenders - Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson

"Alex is left footed, very good on the ball, good at defending.

"And with Leah, right foot, good on the ball, a good defender. I think those two are great centre-backs."

Midfield - Kim Little, Yui Hasegawa and Mariona Caldentey

"Obviously all three of them are good on the ball. Kim's a solid six and defensively very good as well."

Striker - Vivianne Miedema

"She's doing all our finishing for us. I'm not in the squad but I don't mind, I can be the coach!"