The Lionesses are gearing up to defend their Euros crown in Switzerland at this year’s marquee football tournament.
Here, Mail Sport analyses where England stand and the issues they must address before July…
Let Keira off the leash
Keira Walsh is England’s best player, the crucial link between defence and attack. She is the midfield pivot who allows England to play out from the back with efficiency and guile. The problem is, everybody knows that, so opponents regularly mark her out of the game.
With Walsh shackled, England lack a creative spark and are often forced to go long. Spain and Aitana Bonmati kept the Barcelona midfielder in check during the World Cup final in 2023 and emerged triumphant.
Playing another deep-lying midfielder next to Walsh could help, and Leicester’s 21-year-old Ruby Mace can fulfil that role. Mace impressed on her debut against Switzerland last month, looking calm and composed on the ball and defensively astute.
Sarina Wiegman played Mace instead of Walsh on that occasion, but the two could play together, enabling Walsh to get higher up the pitch to produce her world-class long-range passes, safe in the knowledge there was someone behind her to tidy up.
Keira Walsh is England’s best player and must be allowed to dictate the tempo of the game
It is down to Sarina Wiegman to get the best out of her midfield ace this summer
Ruby Mace (pictured) could be an option to play alongside Walsh in a holding midfield role
Keep the Laurens fit
In the most recent international week, England had only four shots on target and scored one goal across the games against the USA and Switzerland, the latter side ranked 23rd in the world.
That this came during the absence of star attackers Lauren James and Lauren Hemp — who have both been out of action for club and country for some time now due to injury — is no coincidence.
James, 24, broke on to the international stage during the 2023 World Cup and showed an uncanny ability to create chances out of nothing. At times it’s as if the ball is stuck to the Chelsea player’s feet as she glides past defenders, and she has the ability to finish from long range, as well as cause havoc in the opposition box.
Hemp initially flew under the radar — perhaps because she is regularly the player setting up the goals, rather than taking the glory — but her absence grows more acute with every game. She is lightning quick and one of England’s best finishers.
Alessia Russo’s welcome return to her best goalscoring form will be of some comfort to Wiegman, but the Lionesses manager won’t be able to rest easy until the two Laurens make their return in the coming weeks and complete her exciting attacking triumvirate.
Lauren James proved her class at the 2023 World Cup but has battled with injuries since
Lauren Hemp has also been sidelined, and it is imperative that she is back fit for the Euros
Who goes in goal?
England were much improved defensively in their last two games, with Leah Williamson returning to form and confidence, Lucy Bronze at her timeless best, and Millie Bright and Jess Carter characteristically solid. While the news that Alex Greenwood had surgery on a knee last month will be cause for concern, there’s still hope that this won’t impede her path to the Euros.
And England also have plenty of options at the back, with Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier impressing this season.
There is still one uncertainty, though: the goalkeeper. Wiegman has been rotating Hannah Hampton and Mary Earps based on club form, with Hampton firmly establishing herself under Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea in a way that Earps struggled to do when she first moved to PSG.
The 31-year-old Earps has since consolidated her position as the No 1 at the French club, and she has traditionally been the more convincing of the pair in an England shirt.
Earps’ penalty save during the World Cup final and that reaction still stick in the mind, and her command of the box means she still has the edge on Hampton. Either way, for the sake of stability at the back, Wiegman must choose sooner rather than later.
Mary Earps has never let England down but her place in goal is at risk heading into the Euros
Wiegman must decide whether to stick with the more experienced Earps or go for Hannah Hampton (pictured)
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Get rotation right
This England squad are bursting at the seams with young, raw talent, with Grace Clinton, Jess Park and Jess Naz having all given Wiegman something to think about this year.
At times Wiegman has become too predictable. Gone are the days when Russo and Ella Toone could be thrown on in the 70th minute to shake up opponents. This Lionesses team has been worked out, and the solution is to mix things up.
As Manchester United’s No 10, Clinton has probably made the strongest case for herself this year. The 21-year-old has only made five senior appearances, but she shows natural leadership on the field which far surpasses her age.
That she was the only goalscorer in England’s last two games is testament to her ability to bring something different to this team.
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Publish date : 2025-01-01 17:00:00
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The post The four riddles Sarina Wiegman must solve if the Lionesses are to retain their Euro crown this year, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH first appeared on Love Europe.
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Author : love-europe
Publish date : 2025-01-02 03:57:14
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