England striker Alessia Russo has opened up about her close friendship with Ella Toone, revealing the admiration she has for the Manchester United midfielder while also hinting at the one “change” she would love to see in her best friend’s game.
Russo, who now plays for Arsenal Women, spoke warmly about Toone, describing her as one of the most naturally gifted and entertaining players in the England women’s national football team setup. The pair have built a strong bond over the years, both at club level earlier in their careers and more importantly as key figures in the Lionesses squad.
Their friendship is well known across women’s football, with fans often seeing them joking together in training camps, celebrating goals in unison, and supporting each other during major tournaments. But behind the light-hearted moments, Russo admits there is also a deep footballing respect between them.
Speaking about Toone, Russo praised her creativity, vision, and fearless style of play. However, she also suggested that if there was one area she could “change” or encourage improvement in her best friend, it would be consistency in influencing games from start to finish.
“All I want from Ella,” Russo reportedly said in a reflective tone, “is for her to show her quality every single minute she’s on the pitch.” The comment was not a criticism, but rather a sign of how highly she rates Toone’s ability and believes she can reach an even higher level.
Toone has long been recognised as one of England’s most exciting attacking midfielders, known for her flair, technical skill and ability to score important goals in big moments. Her performances during England’s historic international success have already cemented her place as a key figure in the Lionesses’ golden generation.
Russo’s comments highlight the competitive but supportive environment within the England squad. Teammates constantly push each other to improve, and it is this mentality that has helped the Lionesses achieve consistent success on the international stage in recent years.
At club level, Russo continues to be a key figure for Arsenal, where she has developed into one of the most complete forwards in women’s football. Her movement, finishing ability and intelligence in the final third have made her a central part of Arsenal’s attacking system.
Meanwhile, Toone remains a vital player for Manchester United Women, where her creativity and leadership continue to shape the team’s performances in the Women’s Super League.
Despite playing for rival clubs domestically, the friendship between the two England stars remains strong. Their bond has become one of the most popular storylines among Lionesses supporters, symbolising unity, trust and mutual respect within the national team.
Fans have reacted warmly to Russo’s comments, with many praising the honesty and affection behind her words. Rather than creating tension, her remarks have been interpreted as a reminder of how elite athletes constantly strive for improvement — even among their closest friends.
As England continue to build toward future international tournaments, the partnership between Russo and Toone — both on and off the pitch — remains one of the most valuable and endearing aspects of the Lionesses squad.
