Chatting to: Wassa Sangaré

Wassa Sangaré answers questions with a smile, and usually with a small laugh when she searches for the right words.

English isn’t her first language, and she takes her time, but there’s an ease about her now that suggests she feels comfortable. Settled.

Halfway through the season, she’s not just settled, she’s become a key name on the London City Lionesses team sheet.

“Yes, I feel good,” she says, simply.

“I’m very happy. I love playing and being with the team. It’s a really amazing place.”

It hasn’t always felt this familiar. Looking back at her first week at the club, it feels distant already.

“It feels like a long time ago!” she laughs. “I think I’ve learnt fast, and a lot here, and everyone believes in me and makes me feel welcome.”

That belief didn’t come overnight. Her early weeks were about adapting to a new league, a new country and a new style of football.

“Yes, everything surprised me!” she says of life in England. “Maybe everything, even the people are a bit different!”

“I’m used to being here now,” she says. “I’ve been to London; I did some shopping. I love shopping and I go all the time. I’ve been on the London Eye too!”

A good day off is simple, and very Wassa.

“I like to rest on a day off for a start,” she says. “I might go to London. I love buying clothes and shopping. I’ve been to Bluewater too, when I am too lazy to go to London! It’s all in a circle so you can’t get lost!”

There are still things she misses.

“I miss my family and my friends from France,” she admits.

“Sometimes French food too, like the bread is different. It’s nice here, but better at home!”

On the pitch, Wassa had to earn her way in senior football. She didn’t start against Arsenal, played limited minutes against Manchester United, but then came Everton away.

Her first start for London City Lionesses. The club’s first Women’s Super League win of the season. A statement performance at Goodison Park.

“It was my first start,” she says. “And I got told to just enjoy the moment and do the best I can do.”

She did more than that.

“It was the first win of the season, at Goodison Park,” she adds, “so it was great for not just myself, but the team’s confidence too.”

Something shifted when she said that. The quiet, giggly presence off the pitch was met by authority on it — composed, physical, dominant in duels.

At just 19, she became a constant in London City lineup.

“I think yes,” she says when asked if she felt trust after the Everton game. “I got told, train hard every day, and if you play it’s good, and if you don’t, you keep working hard.”

“Now I play, but I keep working hard!”

It’s a mindset that sums her up.

Sangaré is thoughtful when she reflects on her own development. She doesn’t overanalyse, but she knows where she’s improved.

“I think physically,” she says. “Also, my one-vs-one defending, my anticipation as well. I think I have become a more well-rounded defender.”

The WSL has demanded that growth.

“The physicality is strong; it is very demanding,” she explains. “The best thing about this league is that everyone can beat everyone and there are no easy games.”

She’s also been surrounded by experience – and she’s making the most of it.

“Yes, I have learnt a lot from the experienced players,” she says. “I talk to Linus a lot, she talks to me a lot in games too. It is nice to learn from her on the pitch and in training too.”

You can see it in matches, the constant communication, the calm decisions, the quiet leadership from someone still learning the language, but already fluent in defending.

This season hasn’t just been about club football. Wassa’s rise has been recognised at international level too, earning her a senior call-up and debut for France.

“I was so surprised,” she says. “I got a call after training. It was amazing.”

There was comfort in familiarity. “It was nice to know Grace (Geyoro) there too,” she smiles.

“It was the best moment of my career.”

When she looks ahead, her goals are simple. Honest. Very ‘Wassa’.

“I just want to keep playing games,” she says. “I didn’t expect to play so many and that was my aim, to get experience.”

There are highlights she’ll always remember.

“I loved scoring against Sunderland in the FA Cup,” she says. “That was a highlight and one of the best moments for me, it felt really good to score.”

And she wants to feel the same way again, “I’m not obsessed with it,” she adds, smiling again, “but if the opportunity comes up, I’d love to score a goal in the Women’s Super League too.”

Wassa Sangaré might still speak softly, might still laugh nervously at questions, might still miss French bread — but on the pitch, she’s anything but uncertain.

Halfway through the season, she hasn’t just settled in. She’s become essential.