England midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown has revealed she thrives on proving doubters wrong after cementing her place as a key starter for Manchester City this season.
The 22-year-old disclosed that City manager Andree Jeglertz initially had reservations about her readiness for regular first-team football, even considering a loan move at the start of the campaign. However, injuries in midfield opened a door, and Blindkilde Brown seized her opportunity, starting 16 of City's 19 Women's Super League matches.
"Maybe at the start of the season he had his doubts," Blindkilde Brown admitted. "I hadn't been a regular in a top club before and I'm still a young player. I think I managed to prove to him that I can play. The belief he's shown in me has been really helpful."
Her consistent performances have been instrumental in City building a commanding nine-point lead at the top of the WSL table, putting them on the brink of their first league title in a decade.
The midfielder also addressed perceptions about her physical stature alongside teammate Yui Hasegawa. "When it's me and Yui, we're two very small midfielders. Maybe people thought that we'd get out-muscled," she said. "I think we've proven that we like to play football, so that's ultimately outweighed anything else."
Growing Confidence on the International Stage
Blindkilde Brown, who joined City from Aston Villa in 2024, has earned four England caps but acknowledges the fierce competition in Sarina Wiegman's squad. With injuries affecting the team, she could be in contention for Tuesday's Women's World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley.
"There's world-class players here and the midfield is really strong, so I knew I'd have to be patient," she explained. "I just take whatever comes really. Being around a lot of the City girls who are also here is really helpful. This makes me feel very comfortable."
She noted that her confidence has grown significantly since her first call-up. "I definitely feel more confident. When I first got called up I was probably really nervous in training, and it was not a familiar situation for me to be in."
Versatility as a Key Asset
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Blindkilde Brown has demonstrated her adaptability this season by excelling in a more defensive role within Jeglertz's system. She believes this development has accelerated her growth as a player and could enhance her prospects with the national team.
"I went to City because I knew I was going to improve so much as a player," she reflected, highlighting how her expanded skill set continues to silence any remaining skeptics.