Michelle Heyman insisted she is not surprised by goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln’s maiden call-up to the CommBank Matildas as the Canberra United legend heaped praise on the Western United young gun.
Lincoln – a bronze medallist with the CommBank Young Matildas at the 2024 AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup – was teammates with A-Leagues great Heyman in Canberra before swapping the nation’s capital for Western United in the off-season and was described as “Australia’s brightest goalkeeping talent” upon her arrival in Tarneit.
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Heyman knows the 19-year-old better than most and she lauded her former teammate.
“I’m not surprised at all (about Lincoln’s selection). Chloe is an exceptional goalkeeper,” Heyman told reporters.
“She is pure talent. I’ve been lucky enough to work with her for multiple years at Canberra United.
“So for myself to see her here, I was like a proud mum when I saw her name being selected because she really deserves this opportunity.
“For herself to grow as a player, to be surrounded by Macca (Mackenzie Arnold), Teagan (Micah), Jada (Whyman), she’s only going to learn in this environment and get better. She’s really looking forward to this camp.
“I’ve told her to keep her eyes wide open, take in all the information you get and just enjoy every moment because I see her as the future Australia goalkeeper.”
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The Ninja A-League’s all-time leading goalscorer visited West Ham and thought her London switch was “happening” but the transfer did not transpire in the off-season.
Preparing for Canberra’s Round 1 opener against Brisbane Roar on November 2, Heyman feels the capital club and West Ham are “very similar”.
“My eyes were wide open when I got off the plane and went to West Ham, and to check it all out,” said Heyman. “It’s very professional and it’s really cool to see a whole football world.
“Being Canberra United, we’re based at the AIS so the facilities are the exact same. I think the AIS fields are actually better.
“I do believe Australia is the same standards. I know that within Canberra United, our standards very, very high.
“I think West Ham and Canberra are very similar, especially the facilities and amount of staff. We’re both pretty much the exact same.”
She added: “I have to give Canberra credit, and myself credit. I’m still able to push myself within the environment that I have here in Australia.
“As long as I can continue to score goals, stay fit and be the footballer that I am, I see my chances of continuing to be in this national team as long as I keep pushing really hard.”
