Aggie Beever-Jones dreams of Lionesses glory after 'rollercoaster' Chelsea year

Daily Mirror

4 hours ago

Aggie Beever Jones is more than ready to make her international tournament debut at the Women's Euros in Switzerland next month, following even more success with Chelsea
Aggie Beever-Jones is dreaming of becoming England's newest hero as the Lionesses look to defend their European crown. The young Chelsea striker is ready to roar after a self-confessed 'rollercoaster of a year', following her most recent set of honours with the club, which came in the form of an impressive domestic treble.
With a league title and FA Cup already under her belt, the 21-year-old now has five trophies to her name and is looking to add even more this summer.
Beever-Jones is one of many successful products of the Chelsea academy, having signed her first professional contract at 18 years old. Loan spells at Bristol City and Everton followed, before returning to become a concrete member of the reigning league winners' squad.
But her first-half hat-trick against Portugal in July's internationals was where she may have made her big breakthrough and put her in the public eye.
'It's never as easy as it looks,' said Beever-Jones. 'When I was first told I was starting, I was like, 'I just need to get the basics right, not think too much about what's going on and if I need to score.'
'I just thought that if I do the basics well - and I think I got the first goal quite quickly - that kind of eased my nerves a little bit. It was an absolutely surreal day, I feel like it hasn't actually hit me that it happened.'
Sharing her disbelief at the moment she sealed the perfect beginning to life as a Lioness, she added: 'I just try not to think about everything too much. I just keep my feet on the ground and do what I can, and everything else will fall into place.
'It was an absolute dream come true, and I can't quite believe that it has happened. I'm just trying to soak it all in and take it in my stride as I go.'
Beever-Jones recently joined the rest of the Lionesses ahead of the Euros, with the aim of making a statement at her first international tournament. She admitted that preparation for this competition has been ongoing since 2021, and the squad is ready for the journey ahead.
The Chelsea star, who was speaking as part of her partnership with Laser Clinics UK, said: 'For us, I think it's focusing on the task ahead, and albeit it's been a few years, we've been preparing for this moment effectively since the end of the last Euros.
'That's what I think gives England such a good [chance], and what puts us in such a great place is that we are the holders and we don't take that lightly.
'We know it's going to be a really, really big task, but the preparation has always been going on behind the scenes, and I think for us to come away from the Nations League with a big win against Portugal shows us just how good the nations are getting.
'For us, it's a good wake-up call to where we need to improve and try new things. But I'm really excited, I think there's a good team atmosphere in the squad, and we're all super excited.
'Of course, we've got a few camps before the Euros start, where we can get some more things right, and I am super excited and feel really lucky to be a part of it. Hopefully, we can go in there and have a good tournament.'
Beever-Jones has had plenty of support with her transition to the senior squad, naming fellow Blues Millie Bright and Niamh Charles as her closest confidents in the team.
Describing the welcoming attitude of the squad, she added: 'The girls are such a great bunch anyway, but it is a bit daunting going into it. Everyone is so welcoming, and I think for me I'm quite lucky being at Chelsea, so I have quite a few of the girls in the squad, but Niamh Charles is someone who [is a great support].
'We always joke around that she's a big sister to me and I'm her younger sister. She's always put an arm around me and been so lovely to me. Again with Millie Bright as well, captain at Chelsea, she's always been there for me.
'I think it's been an easy transition for me because they are all such lovely girls.
'Also, having Ruby [Mace] there and a few of the girls that we've grown up with [in football], it's nice when you have a few of us all come from a similar position, being young and just trying to enjoy it and soak up as much information as possible.'
Beever-Jones' shot to stardom hasn't been without its challenges, however, as she opened up about the 'fickle' side to being one of the new up-and-coming stars for England.
She said: 'I think for me, I think football can be quite fickle sometimes, and sometimes you have people saying nice things about you, and then the next week, when you've had a not-so-good game, the same people are saying not so nice things about you.
'Ultimately, everyone has an opinion, and it's who you choose to listen to. Ultimately, if you are making yourself proud, focusing on yourself, listening to the people whose opinions matter, and that's just it.
'You can let everyone else have their own opinions. I think social media can be a dangerous place in terms of that kind of stuff, and one tweet can weave its way into thousands of millions of tweets about you.
'But it's just about focusing on yourself and not worrying about what people have to say, and enjoying your football.'
Pre-match routines with Aggie Beever-Jones and Ruby Mace
What is your pre-match routine?
Ruby Mace: 'I have quite a set routine. It's not like superstition or anything, but I like to stick to the things that I like to do. First of all, I moisturise. I like to make sure that my face is hydrated, but also from having the Hydrofacials that Laser Clinics offers, that helps my skin, so that's kind of like a job already ticked off.
'I have to make sure I'm moisturised, then in terms of my hair routine, I have to make sure that I have lots of hairspray so that my hair is out of my face when I'm playing and also make sure I smell nice too.'
Aggie Beever-Jones: 'I'm the same as Ruby, but I'm a bit more superstitious. I have a set routine in terms of skincare. Laser Clinics gave me an SPF, which for me is really important. I'm also told it helps with your wrinkles and whatnot when you're a bit older as well.
'Same as Ruby, the Hydrofacials, I think sometimes after you play football, I always feel like you don't get everything off your face when you're cleansing, so the Hydrofacial is so useful in stripping everything off your face and almost like giving it a reset too.
'I think the lasers, as well, are really useful in terms of it just takes hair away fast without having to shave your legs. It's just a lot easier.
'Again, same as Ruby, a lot of hairspray, and we use the same Got2B Glued stuff to keep our hair down while playing.'
What are your confidence boosters before a game?
Ruby Mace: 'I'm really into inspirational quotes and stuff. I feel like that really inspires me to go and do my best and be prepared. I also think that good music can pump me up for a game, but music with good lyrics as well that I can relate to.
'As Aggie said, the Laser Clinic's hair removal on the legs is so good because we have so many games that we might have a Sunday game and a Wednesday game and to not have to worry to shave, that's good.
'Just the confidence to know that when people are taking pictures on the side of the pitch, that you feel good in your skin.'
Aggie Beever-Jones: 'I think I'm quite similar to Ruby again, but for me, it's the superstitions that help me keep calm, and if I do them, then I can keep a good routine. I would also say music is such a big thing for me. We are similar in that sense in having good music pumping before a game to keep me levelheaded.
'Again, talking to my family as well, knowing that they're going to be there in the stands for me, it just keeps me relaxed, and that's definitely a big part for me.
'Also, with the skincare and haircare, I always say to the girls in the changing rooms; look good, feel good, play good.'
Aggie Beever-Jones and Ruby Mace were speaking as part of their partnership with Laser Clinics UK.
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