Sarina Wiegman has insisted that England is not in a crisis after some controversial squadron withdrawals – and believes that her last Euro 2025 team has sufficient experience and balance to retain the trophy.
The Lionesses boss called her team for the tournament in Switzerland on Thursday after a tumultuous period of 10 days in which Mary Earps and Fran Kirby retired before vice-captain Millie Bright made herself unavailable for selection.
Earp’s stopped after she was told that she would be a backup keeper of Hannah Hampton, Kirby withdrew after she was told that she would not make the squadron of 23 players, while Bright said she was not mentally or physically ready to play in the tournament.
But Wiegman is now ready to continue with those incidents: “My experience is before major tournaments, there is always noise. We expect noise until we enter the tournament, and it probably remains.
“The difference between 2017 – and I went to my first tournament as an assistant coach in 2015 – until now, the attention and visibility of the women’s game has increased so much.
“There are more journalists here who write and show what we are doing. There is much more, but we just have to deal with it, go further and concentrate on football.
“You [journalists] See parts of it, you are not always in our area. I can assure you that the training sessions have been really good. What you saw against Portugal [who England beat 6-0]That was a very energetic game, a good game.
“You saw these connections. And I saw Spain as two halves, the first half that we played very well, the second half we struggled, but I could not see that there were no connections in the team.
“I have had conversations – see a lot of football and see in the camp and see what happened with the team on and next to the field, I am very happy with where we are now.”
Wiegman: We have enough experience and depth in midfield
Michelle Agyemang scored in April on her debut in England against Belgium
Under the controversial picks, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who only played international football for 15 minutes, was scored on her debut of Lionesses against Belgium.
Lauren James was also chosen for the last team – even though he did not play since he sustained a hamstring injury in April. Wiegman was a bullish in the fact that her selection is “no risk”, but Georgia Stanway also ended her club season injured before they were shown in the recent Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain.
Seven players go to their first big tournament – AGYEMANG, AGGIE BEEVER -JONES, Grace Clinton, Khiara Keating, Maya le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse and Jess Park.
Asked if England is less experienced than their Euro 2022-winning team after losing 218 caps’ worth with the absence of EARPs, Kirby and Bright, Wiegman said: “Yes. When I came in, the team had many, many players who were very experienced. But I think we have enough experience in the team.
“There are about 16 players who played in a big tournament and also play at such a high level at the club that you experience in having media rounds, playing large crowds. I don’t think that’s a problem.
“The experience is enough. The balance? They are not all very young, the players who play their first tournament are also so enthusiastic. The balance and the dynamics are also good.”
And asked if there are enough midfielders in the team, Wiegman replied: “We have to announce it as midfielders and strikers. We can move some players to different positions.
“On paper it seems that we are not that profound. But in the team we have enough depth in midfield.”
‘Let’s continue ears and clear’
EARPs (right) were part of the leadership team of England and was vice-captain next to Millie Bright during the last major tournament
Wiegman was also about Bright’s decision not to play for England for the first time this summer, and insisted that there were no regrets of how the Chelsea defender was handled by club or country.
“It is sad and disappointing and of course it is not nice if you don’t feel good physically and mentally,” added Wiegman. “I hope she feels good soon.
“[Bright and Earps] I did so much for us and for the football of England. They play the tournaments since I am here.
“They are hard to replace, but there are other players who have done very well, they have the chance to perform and show. You have to continue now.”
In the meantime, Hampton plays in the goal as no. 1, but her backup options Moorhouse and Keating are not covered by the Lionesses.
Asked if Wiegman tried a last-minute attempt to convince earps to join the team again, the English boss replied: “No. That is now done.
“That was last week, a week and a half ago. We talked a lot about it. Those conversations were completed. We went business again and went on.”
England’s Euro 2025 team complete
Keepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Man City), Anna Moorehouse (Orlando Pride).
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Man Utd), Jess Park (Man Utd), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).
Forward: Michelle Agyemang (Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
What for the Lionesses?
All Kick-Offs UK Time (BST)
June 29: Jamaica (H), friendly in King Power Stadium, kick -off 5 p.m.
July 5: France (s), Women’s Euro 2025 Group Stage, kick -off 8 p.m.
July 9: The Netherlands (s), Ladies Euro 2025 Group Stage, kick -off 5 pm
July 13: Wales (N), Women’s Euro 2025 Group Stage, kick -off at 8 p.m.
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