Lucia Kendall credits Chelsea icon and former England team as her biggest inspirations | OneFootball

Lucia Kendall was one of England’s breakout stars in 2025 and she discussed her biggest inspirations in football at the end of her best year to date.

Kendall had only ever played in the Championship in summer, but her life completely changed with a move to Aston Villa at the start of this season.

Breakthrough year for Kendall

Not many players enjoyed a better year than Lucia Kendall in 2025.

The 21-year-old arrived at Aston Villa from Southampton in summer as one of the most talented youngsters in England.

Kendall has already lived up to the hype and although she is yet to net her first WSL goal, the forward has quickly established herself as one of the first names on Natalia Arroyo’s team sheet.

As a result of her strong performances for Villa, Kendall earned her first England call-up in October.

With the Lionesses ravaged by injuries Kendall was given her chance by Sarina Wiegman – making her full debut for the senior team against Ghana at the beginning of December.

The Villa star grabbed her opportunity with both hands, scoring just six minutes into her first start for England.

Wiegman gave a glowing response to Kendall’s first two games after the break with the forward picking up her first England goal and player of the match award from her first two games.

Lucia Kendall discusses biggest inspirations

Aston Villa’s young superstar sat down with England this week to discuss her breakout year and she credited a Chelsea legend as her biggest inspiration.

“I watched Match of the Day every Sunday. I was a Chelsea fan when I was a kid, so I loved Frank Lampard – he was a box-to-box midfielder, he scored goals.

“My first real memory of watching England women was in the World Cup in 2015. That’s the first time I saw it and thought, ‘I want to do that’. I think that was quite inspirational seeing that and now seeing the growth that it’s gone through to get to where it is now.”

England have come a long way since their 2015 team – winning back to back European Championships in the last three years.

Kendall continued to show her appreciation for such a successful 2025 that has enabled her to play at the highest level of football.

“We’re so lucky to be able to do what we do and just to enjoy it. You can put so much pressure on yourself and there can be so much pressure but it’s important to take it all in because this is what you wanted to do when you’re a kid and we’re lucky to be able to do this every day.”

Aston Villa have just one game left remaining before the winter break with a tricky clash against Manchester City coming up on Sunday.

Kendall will be hoping to finally get off the mark in the league as Villa look to slow down City’s title charge.