Top facts about Sophie Ingle, Wales indomitable captain

(born 2 September 1991) is a Welsh midfielder who captains the Wales national team and plays for the FA WSL club Chelsea. She's played for Bristol Academy, Cardiff City, and Liverpool in the past. Ingle can play as a defender or as a midfielder.

Her goal versus

for Chelsea was shortlisted for the FIFA Puskas Award in 2020.

Sophie Ingle’s age

is 30. Here you can find out the most important facts about Sophie Ingle, the Welsh star.

Ludlow commented on Sophie Ingle, "She's probably been one of the best players in the WSL this season and it's absolutely fantastic for her personally, but she has to keep doing it, and obviously for us.

"Sophie, for me, is a deep lying center-mid or center-back and that's where [Chelsea Women manager] Emma Hayes sees her too, so we're on a similar thought process there.

"Does Sophie have the ability, depending on who we're playing against national team-wise, to play any position bar goalkeeper? Yeah. She won't like me saying that, to be fair.

"She makes a huge difference to the environment that's created throughout the camp and obviously the performance levels we can put on the pitch when she's available: she lifts those for us."

Sophie Ingle, who has over 100 caps for Wales, signs on for an additional two years at Chelsea; Ingle re-joined Chelsea ahead of the 2018/19 campaign having previously played for the club in 2012 and 2013

Top facts about Sophie Ingle:

The first

fact about Sophie Ingle

is that she has won the Women's Super League, the Continental League Cup, and the Women's Community Shield for Chelsea so far.

Sophie Ingle early life

Regarding

Sophie Ingle’s childhood

, it is worth mentioning that her older brother Scott, whom she used to watch play when she was younger, introduced her to football when she was six years old.

Speaking about

Sophie Ingle’s parents

, it should be mentioned that her mother used to take her to see her brother play football, and one of the coaches saw her kicking the ball about and asked if she wanted to join the younger team.

Sophie Ingle personal life

An important fact about Sophie Ingle is that she could only play with the Vale Wanderers until she was 12 years old due to the restrictions prohibiting males and girls from playing together beyond that age. Sophie's former manager subsequently formed a girls' squad, which Sophie joined again.

Sophie Ingle's loving father, Stephen, passed away in March 2019, when Sophie was participating in the Champions League with

. Sophie played against Paris Saint-Germain barely a week after his death to help Chelsea advance to the Women's Champions League final four.

This demonstrates Sophie's and other players' strength in dealing with the death of her father while yet being able to return as quickly as she did. Sophie Ingle is a role model for a lot of young girls in Wales, and she makes Chelsea a better team.

Sophie Ingle professional career:

The 30-year-old reached 100 appearances for the Blues and said that she is delighted to sign a new contract with the Chelsea club.

Sophie Ingle club career

A notable

fact about Sophie Ingle

is that she started her football career with the Vale Wanderers, a boys' squad. Despite appealing to the Football Federation of Wales (FAW), Ingle was not allowed to play with the boys beyond the age of 12.

She took a year off from football before joining Vale Wanderers' girls and Dinas Powys Ladies for short periods. This was before to Ingle's transfer to Cardiff City Ladies as a teenager.

Cardiff City

During the 2007–08 season, Ingle broke into Cardiff's FA Women's Premier League squad after a stint in the reserves. Ingle joined with WSL club Chelsea Ladies ahead of the 2012 season after lifting the Welsh Cup twice with Cardiff.

Chelsea

"Sophie Ingle, we originally brought in as a left back and though you can see from her reliability on the ball and delivery and reading of the game is nice as well, she has formed a few goals for us with balls in behind which is something we haven't had before," Chelsea manager Matt Beard said after Chelsea's 2012 FA Women's Cup Final defeat to Birmingham.

Bristol Academy

An important fact about Sophie Ingle is that she left Chelsea in February 2014 to join Bristol Academy, which was closer to his home. She progressed through the ranks of The Vixens to become captain; however, the team was demoted following the 2015 season.

Liverpool

A notable fact about Sophie Ingle is that she became a transfer target for several teams before deciding to join

in December 2015, "Liverpool is a great club and there was only one team I wanted to sign for once I was aware of their interest."

Return to Chelsea

An important fact about Sophie Ingle is that she signed a two-year deal with Chelsea in 2018. Sophie's decision to return to Chelsea was influenced by Bethany England.

During Sophie Ingle's loan time with the Merseyside club, the striker urged her to consider returning to London. Emma Hayes was overjoyed to be able to reintroduce Sophie to the club, knowing how important she is and what she can add to the squad.

Her Chelsea goal versus Gunners was eligible for the FIFA Puskas Award in 2020, as the Blues won the domestic double. Sophie Ingle signed a new deal with Chelsea in January 2021. She'll be at Chelsea until 2023 as a result of this.

Sophie Ingle international career

A notable fact about Sophie Ingle is that she was selected to represent Wales at the Under–17 level and subsequently ascended through the ranks to lead the Under–19 team.

On October 28, 2009, Ingle earned her first senior cap for Wales in a 2–1 World Cup qualification loss to Azerbaijan in Baku.

An important fact about Sophie Ingle is that she was nominated to the preliminary Team GB team for the 2012 Olympics in December 2011. In July 2014, she earned her 50th cap for Wales in a 1–1 friendly tie with Scotland in Dumfries.

Ingle was selected the new national team captain by Jayne Ludlow before of the 2015 Istria Cup, replacing Jess Fishlock, who was unexpectedly withdrawn from the squad.

A notable fact about Sophie Ingle is that she made her 100th appearance for

against

in the UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qualifications on September 22, 2020.

Ingle was named to the Great Britain women's Olympic football squad for the 2020 Olympics on May 27, 2021, making her the sole Welsh player on the roster.

Sophie Ingle style of play

An important

fact about Sophie Ingle

is that she has established a crucial role in Emma Hayes' adaptable 4-4-2 system, with an emphasis on both her tasks and responsibilities in and out of possession in this tactical study. Hayes obviously values Ingle, who, along with Millie Bright, Bethany England, and Guro Reitan, has started the joint-most games.

Ingle returned to Chelsea Women in 2018 having previously playing for the club from 2012 to 2014. She then went on to play for Bristol Academy (now Bristol City Women) and Liverpool Women.

Ingle is the current 'Players Player of the Year' for Chelsea, having previously won the 'Player of the Year' award for Liverpool in 2017 and the 'Players Player of the Year' award for Chelsea in 2018. She is the current Wales national team captain.

Emma Hayes generally used a 4-2-3-1 (37 percent) or a 4-3-3 (19 percent) system throughout the 2018-19 season.

Hayes has switched to a 4-4-2 formation for the 2019/20 season in order to harness the potential of her young team. Sophie Ingle provides the framework for the team's offensive and defensive systems, while'star' players Ji So-yun, Fran Kirby, Bethany England, Guro Reitan, and newcomer Sam Kerr may get greater attention.

A notable fact about Sophie Ingle is that she is mostly used as one of the two central midfielders in the 4-4-2 formation, although she is a versatile player who has also played as a left and centre defense. The average locations of Chelsea are shown in the following two diagrams, with Ingle (#5) as the center focus point.

When Chelsea Women are out of possession, Ingle positions herself to play two defensive tactical duties. When defending centrally, they are used to impede the opposition's forward passing lines and put pressure to the opposition's center midfielders. Ingle leads the team with 5.1 interceptions per game and 10.64 recoveries in the opponent's half.

In Chelsea Women's pressing system, one central midfielder is in charge of the opposing holding midfielder and the other is on charge of the attacking central midfielder in the strong side vertical channel.

When defending against a central midfield three, Chelsea's tactical strategy is to send the weak side midfielder infield to counteract the possible numerical disadvantage and mark the opposition's weak side center offensive midfielder.

Ingle's job is to position herself in such a way that the vertical and deeper passing options on the ball side are denied. She may both remove the passing option and challenge the 'second ball' if Arsenal attempts a longer pass from this position. Ingle also has a strong presence in the air, having won 63.1 percent of her aerial duels in the 2019/20 FAWSL season.

When Chelsea is in control, another crucial attribute of Ingle's that contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Chelsea FC Women's system and tactical approach is the defensive balance she offers.

During possible defensive transitional phases, this stance is critical (when Chelsea lose possession). When Chelsea is in possession in the middle to final thirds of the pitch, balance is established by occupying central and ball side positions, protecting teammates who have made forward offensive moves.

By holding this deeper and center zone, Ingle gives the front five attacking players more room and flexibility to attack in the final third. This reduces the chances of the opponent counterattacking. Ingle's heat map clearly shows her predominantly occupied and controlling the middle third zone of the field.

An important fact about Sophie Ingle is that she is an excellent tactical player in possession; she understands and can effectively execute Emma Hayes' inventive positional rotations.

Ingle and her central midfield partner have the freedom to rotate in the 4-4-2 style in order to disorganize the opposition's midfield line. As a result, they may be able to use a double pivot to tackle each circumstance strategically.

Ingle, on the other hand, will often be the deeper of the center players, connecting the defensive and midfield thirds. To adjust the point of attack or play out of pressure, Ingle gives depth and short support options around the ball. This also helps in the previously mentioned defensive transitional times.

To identify and create space, Ingle uses deft movement and positioning rotations. She may drop in between the central defenders to create a 3v2 scenario or to generate pressure from an opponent midfielder higher and out of their tight shape when facing a two pushing forward formation.

When a Chelsea central defender is in control, Ingle will often go inside to give a short and angled passing option. Ingle has dipped lower to receive the ball and generate pressure from an opponent midfielder, allowing space higher for Ji So-yun, Reitan, or Kerr to exploit while facing two central pressing forwards from opponents.

To create pressure from opponents wide forward and provide space centrally for Chelsea's left defense to exploit, Ingle has switched with the wide defender. When Bright, the center defender, rotates inside, Ingle has room in the right central defense position to receive a pass from the goalkeeper, face forward, and advance the ball unchallenged.

Ingle is also a good passer of the ball, trying 47.1 percent of basic passes and completing 88.4 percent of long pass attempts. She often uses short, uncomplicated passes to connect the defensive and midfield thirds of the field. She barely averages 0.14 'important passes' each game, which is an area for improvement. A critical pass is one that sets up a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

In conclusion, Sophie Ingle's tactical analysis shows that she is critical to the Chelsea FC Women's team's performance both in and out of possession.

While more dynamic players may receive the headlines with their goals and assists, Ingle's importance in providing both an offensive and defensive foundation as well as balanced play cannot be overstated.

Through precise and consistent short passing, clever positioning rotations, spatial awareness, and anticipating probable possession loss, she occupies and controls the center zone.

Sophie Ingle quotes

"They had no idea who I was.” They merely mentioned 'that blonde chick' or 'that female.” When Sophie Ingle was a little girl playing football in Barry on an otherwise all-boys squad, she remembers what the opposition and bystanders used to remark.

The Chelsea midfielder can credit her older brother, Scott, for introducing her to the sport when she was six years old. "On Saturdays, my mother would accompany me to see him play, and there was another football club, a younger one, playing at the time.

"When one of the instructors saw me kicking a ball to the side, he started talking to my mother, asking if she wanted to participate.” It was all downhill from there. I guess that if it hadn't been for my brother, I would never have seen or played football.

"'Oh, there's that girl playing,' or 'there's a female playing,' I'd constantly hear. It's as if 'she shouldn't be playing.' But I simply went ahead and did it."

The 94-cap Wales star, who previously played for Cardiff City and Liverpool, reflects on her time with Vale Wanderers. It was her first club, but she had to leave because of the restrictions prohibiting males and girls from playing together.

"I played with them till I was 12 years old and couldn't play anymore.” Because there were no females' teams, I took a year off. Looking back at images, it seems that I become a little overweight! "Then my former manager organized a girls' squad, and I returned." After that, a year with Dinas Powys was followed by a teenage transfer to Cardiff City Ladies.

"At the time, I had no idea that clubs like Cardiff existed. There was no publicity for it, and there was no use of social media. "I had no idea there was a Welsh women's squad, or even the age levels — I'd never seen anything promoting them playing games."

Sophie had this to say about the next generation of Wales’ fans, "'I really want to be like you one day,' they say to some of us.

"I didn't have it when I was a youngster. I just finished watching men's football, and Steven Gerrard was one of my favorites. I had never heard of any female football players.

"I never imagined you'd be able to do it as a job or even be paid a little amount of money for it, much alone have it be your salary and something you do every day." Thankfully, the rise of women's football has altered things.

"I was shopping at Asda one, and this girl - she was with her father – kept staring at me in various aisles, and I assumed she'd noticed me!” She was perhaps eight or nine years old and started shaking her father's arm.

"'Just go say something to her, go say hello,' I overheard him say.” She came down after approximately five minutes and said, 'Are you Sophie Ingle?' 'May I take a picture with you?' "So I had to go locate her father and retrieve his phone!"

Sophie appreciates the more intimate interaction that players and fans may have in the women's game, while not seeking recognition or exposure. "I despise being the center of attention! I hope it doesn't come to the point where it's like the men's game and you can't simply go to Asda.

"The women's game, in my opinion, is ideal for this. At the moment, we get to see our supporters. Fans of the women's game like it because it allows them to get to know the players better. "It's beneficial in that you get to interact with the younger girls and guys that come to watch.

"They've come to observe us and have taken their time. You may not be able to go through everyone, whether you win, lose, or tie, and whether it's 10 minutes at the conclusion of the game, but go ahead and try.

"You've worked hard to get here, so don't squander it by acting foolishly. I believe you must remember, first and foremost, where you came from and how your parents or family raised you."

Sophie, who now lives in Epsom, Surrey, returned to Chelsea Women from Liverpool at the start of the season, having previously played for the London club in 2012/13.

She quickly established herself in the Chelsea set-up and earned a starting spot after a Champions League run that saw them reach the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Lyon – and Ingle's Wales team-mate Jess Fishlock, who became only the sixth Welsh footballer to win a winner's medal.

"When it comes to competing against each other, we have a lot of respect for each other," Sophie adds. "I was overjoyed when she made it to the finals and won.

"She was in Frankfurt when they won it that year, but she didn't play in the final. She doesn't count it, despite the fact that she helped them win the award! However, she is well deserving of the award."

Sophie Ingle rise to glory

Sophie Ingle's tale serves as a powerful reminder of the power of opportunity and the injustice that occurs when it is denied.

Her determination is inspired by the memories of her loving father Stephen, whose death shocked her family two years ago during her last Champions League run.

From the age of seven, she would practice three times a week, constantly playing with boys and often kicking a ball around in the Barry streets made famous by Gavin and Stacey.

Scott, the older brother, may claim credit for the introduction, which he made when he was six years old. Sophie, who idolized Steven Gerrard, was observed having a kickabout on the sidelines of his football training session by a coach.

She is now well-known in football circles for her laid-back, cool, and collected demeanor both on and off the field, and she is unlikely to recall many situations in her 29 years when she has been treated unfairly.

But one thing her 12th birthday brought was the introduction of Football Association of Wales regulations prohibiting her from playing football with males.

Sophie and her parents tried to persuade the FAW to extend Sophie's stay for another year or two, but their efforts were in vain. As a result, Sophie was forced to take a sabbatical since no females' teams were available for her to join.

She might have easily faded away from the sport in which she has gone on to thrive, winning more than 100 caps for Wales as a defender/midfielder over the course of 12 years and eventually becoming captain.

Sophie's enthusiasm didn't wane despite the fact that she just had school and her neighborhood to play in. To the welfare of Wales and Chelsea.

Former manager Michele Adams MBE, now club chair, recalls, "We always knew she was unique."

"She was always composed and composed. She usually wears a cigarette jacket and saunters across the field, quite quiet but always one of the girls."

Despite her dislike of the spotlight, she was nominated for the FIFA Puskas award for the most beautiful goal of the year in 2020 after a magnificent one-touch strike against Arsenal with her weaker left foot.

"You look at some of the goals she scores and say to yourself, "We've seen that before." It's not something she's done before; she used to do it for us on a daily basis "Michele explains.

"She's not just a brilliant player, but she's also a wonderful young lady. She is sincere, "Karen Jones MBE, who, together with Michele, is a significant character at the family-oriented club, agrees.

Karen describes Sophie and her father as "the sweetest woman you could hope to meet," describing Sophie's mother Cath as "the loveliest lady you could wish to meet." Hers were his eyes. He loved her, would follow her around, and would often attend our games."

Sophie was discovered by Chelsea for the first time in Cardiff. "I remember getting the email for her and telling her, 'Chelsea has come in for you," Karen continues.

"We're ecstatic to see her play in the Champions League on Sunday. What a greater honor. It's amazing to be a part of what they're doing."

Sophie was always emphatic about being totally committed to whichever team she represented, and her passion even perplexed Cardiff Met Women.

Sophie is "not so laid back where she's boring, I would hate for people to think that's all," says Robyn Pinder, a friend and old university teammate "We used to make fun of Sophie because she would always show up to training, despite the fact that she was playing for Chelsea at the time.

"She'd complete her lectures, rush to training at 5 p.m., and even if she could only remain for 20 minutes, she'd exercise for 20 minutes, throw on her Chelsea jumper, and drive right down to Chelsea training.

"She'd be adamant about being there. We used to joke because she's playing for Chelsea on the weekend, but she's training with us for 20 minutes on an old AstroTurf!"

Sophie was already well-established in the Wales set-up at this point, having excelled from the start. Wales’ vice-captain Natasha Harding says her teammate is and has always been a "phenomenal talent."

"She was there as a 15-year-old girl when I was 17, first camp of the seniors, and she was fantastic then, and she has continued to grow year after year.

"She's really astute in her work. She's incredible. The girls admire her, but she also has a typical side to her, which I believe is due to her Welsh heritage." Helen Ward, the record goal scorer for Wales, is her greatest supporter.

"Anyone who knows me knows how much I like Soph as a person and as a player," she says, smiling. She's gone from being a shy, humble teenager with a lot of skill and promise to becoming our leader."

For a player who "oozes quality," Ward is pleased that Ingle is gaining prominence outside of Wales and feels she must represent Great Britain at the Olympics.

"She is unfazed by anything. When you're going into combat, you need it in a player and a leader. Whether it's as a center-back for Wales or as a center-midfielder, you need them to be cool and be the guy who can keep everyone on track while still delivering some incredible football. She is capable of completing any task."

Sophie's greatest supporter is her family, who are credited with keeping her on her feet. While Ward may have won the title of "number one fan," Sophie's family is credited with keeping her on her feet. Her initials, which she shares with her father and brother, were her first tattoo (she vows she won't get any more).

Sophie and her family were shaken by the loss of her loving father Stephen in 2019 during Sophie's last Champions League run two years ago.

Sophie walked on the field against Paris Saint-Germain a week after his death to assist her team-mates reach the last four, later stating it was exactly what her father would have wanted. He's become the voice inside her brain, urging her to improve and achieve more.

Sophie was hailed as a "coach's dream" by Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes, one of the most renowned personalities in women's football.

Hayes says, "Sophie is someone who goes about her business discreetly. She accomplishes the task that has to be done in front of the back four." "I believe she has shown her football intelligence, since her football IQ is really high."

Sophie used to bag-pack at supermarkets to earn money for her beloved Cardiff City Ladies when she was a small kid. Her tale exemplifies where the right opportunity may lead. To the pinnacle of the sport.

Sophie Ingle social media

Regarding

Sophie Ingle social media

, it should be mentioned that she has an Instagram (

) page with more than 28k followers. In the page we can see her in the action on the field and with her family.

She also has a Twitter page (

) with more than 12k followers. She often posts new stuff on her page.

Sophie Ingle body measurements

Regarding

Sophie Ingle body measurements

, it should be mentioned that she is 168 cm tall and weighs 60kg.

Sophie Ingle net worth and salary

Sophie Ingle's net worth

is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider. Sophie Ingle's net worth and primary source of income comes from her achievements as a Welsh athlete.

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