We caught up for a quick chat with Lianne, who celebrates her 22nd birthday today - fresh from a NikeWomen photo shoot - as a car swept her up and swooshed her off for a training session.

SK: Did you have fun at the shoot?
LS: Yeah, it was just a few hours and the more I’ve done these things the less nervous I get about them. It’s fun, you get to wear cool clothes, get your make up done.

SK: What was the shoot for?
LS: It’s partly some stuff for the Nike Spring wear range and their catalogues and for Nike Town. They are launching their new Fly Sister One shoes – they’re excellent – I do my training work in them.

SK: Don’t you get stick off your team mates if you turn up to training, made up after a shoot?
LS: It’s not a team training night tonight but I don’t really talk about it much in front of them anyway.

SK: You didn’t go with the England squad to La Manga for the training camp in January?
LS: No, I had a lot of work on. I have my soccer schools, which I have been running for the last 4-5 years, and the kids, parents and I want them to carry on but with me going away it’s taking some organising. It’s hard because I’ve always been hands on - you know how you can feel sceptical that if you don’t do it yourself, it won’t get done - but I have another coach who can help with that, who I trust and so that should make it easier.

SK: When do you head to join up with the Philadelphia Independence and are you excited?
LS: It will be after the Cyprus Cup and I’d be lying if I didn’t say yes. I’m living the dream: being paid to play and train. If the game was as advanced in England, and I was given the same opportunity here, I would love to stay. But they are offering the perfect set up, it’s a massive opportunity. Of course it will be hard and I will miss my family but I have self confidence and I’ll take each step as it comes and hopefully show my full potential and let my football do the talking.

SK: Why Philly, have you been before?
LS: My dad and I have been in contact with three teams in the WPS but Philly were the most interested. They showed in-depth understanding of my game, which was nice to hear, because they really knew how I play. Personally, I feel behind the strikers is my best position. I want to be on the ball more, pick up the ball, see passes – more of a Rooney type player than an out and out striker. Some people see my strike rate and think that’s where I play but I’m less effective up front, I’ve got more to give from a slightly deeper position. I’ll play wherever though, to add to my knowledge of the game.
The move to Philly has all come together very recently though. My Auntie lives there, actually. They [the club] look like they are putting together a good team too. It may be daunting but I’m really looking forward to it.

SK: Until March, you are still a Chelsea player. You must have been disappointed to miss out on the FAW Premier League Cup Final?
LS: It was absolutely devastating. I’m gutted we’re not going to be there. Football is weird like that. We were the favourites in the semi against Leeds but we just didn’t play out best and Leeds were better that day.
It’s hard for me to take, to be honest. I came from Arsenal where we won almost every time and I don’t like to lose. I’m not a BAD loser, I’m just competitive and want to win.

SK: On a happier note, what ya doing for your birthday?
LS: We’ll just go for a meal, have a bit of a birthday bash.

SK: Well, thanks very much and enjoy!


Lianne Sanderson is training to victory in the new NikeWomen Fly Sister One shoe featuring Diamond FLX technology, created especially for women to enhance multi-directional movement. NikeWomen.com