On Tuesday Morning, Sarina Wiegman named her 23 player squad named ahead of the Lionesses’ matches against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, as they aim to qualify for the 2025 Euros. On one hand, the team selection was somewhat predictable and certainly shows Wiegman’s trust in the players she has picked before. However, this also raised questions from Lionesses fans, about the English talent that doesn’t seem to be given a chance.
Wiegman’s choices of goalkeepers was as expected – Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton and Khiara Keating. The manager has seemed certain with Earps as her number one and we’d expect her to start in these qualifying games. However given United’s underwhelming season in comparison to Hampton cementing her position into Chelsea’s starting XI, it’s definitely a consideration for Wiegman. Does she start her trustworthy keeper who’s familiar in England’s starting position, or the most currently in form English goalie?
It was Wiegman’s choice of defence which caused the most controversy, however. Manchester City’s Esme Morgan makes the squad, having only played 12 minutes of WSL football since January. She gets the nod ahead of Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier, who has played in 17 matches for her team this season. The decision has left some fans questioning what has left her out, especially as Wiegman has reiterated how important of a role game time is, when making her squad decision . Although primarily playing centre-back for her club, it’s clear that Wiegman prefers to play Le Tissier in the full-back position. And with the amount of talent in those wide areas such as Niamh Charles and Lucy Bronze, this seems to have left her out of the team.
United did see defender Millie Turner called up to the squad. The centre-back has represented the Lionesses before, more recently however coming in later to replace the injured Millie Bright and Leah Williamson. This time she was called in from the off.
Liverpool was a team that was brought up quite prominently in this squad announcement, especially when it came to the defence. The Reds have been performing outstandingly this season – from being in the Championship two years ago, to currently sitting fourth place in the WSL. A prominent reason for their recent form has been the signings that transformed their back line, such as English Gemma Bonner and Grace Fisk. In particular, 26-year-old Fisk was a player that represented England throughout England’s age groups, however struggled to integrate into the senior team. Having seen her impact on Liverpool this season and the stability she brought to the defence, many football fans have been calling for her to be in the squad – and Bonner for similar reasons, although she already has 12 caps for the Lionesses between 2013 and 2019. It does seem harder for players in teams outside of the ‘top four’ to be recognised for England’s squad.
Lioness fans will be extremely happy to see captain Leah Williamson make her first return since her ACL injury last April. The last time she played for her country was their 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Australia, ahead of the World Cup which she missed out on last summer. Although named in the previous squad, the defender had to pull out due to a small injury. In a press conference after this team announcement, Sarina Wiegman explained that Williamson hasn’t played that many games yet, but she needs the minutes for England now.
Millie Bright, who captained the Lionesses to the World Cup final in Williamson’s absence, stays on the sidelines. She is still recovering from a knee injury that she sustained in November. With Wiegman’s preferred centre-back pairing still out and reintegrating with the squad, it’ll be interesting to see her defensive choices for these upcoming games. Alex Greenwood would be top of that list, having stepped up before to lead England’s back-line, and having yet another outstanding season for Manchester City. Jess Carter and Lotte Wubben Moy have also played a huge role in their clubs this season, so will be looking to get into that starting eleven.
England’s midfield brought some nice surprises as Grace Clinton is rewarded with another senior call up, after scoring on her debut in the Lionesses’ 7-2 victory against Austria. Manchester City’s Jess Park also makes the squad, having impressed as she settles into her club’s senior team. She’ll be full of confidence, having netted two against rivals Manchester United last weekend. These two call-ups just go to show how beneficial a loan move can be for a younger player, in making them stand out to be selected for their national team. Jess Park’s loan at Everton gave the youngster the game time and development that title-pushing City could not, and we’re seeing the same for Grace Clinton at Spurs this season.
The Lionesses’ named front-line is fiercely competitive, and would be enough to daunt any national team. Rachel Daly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo make the squad, as well as Manchester City partnership Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly. It’s no surprise that Lauren James is also named on the team list, having been in exquisite form for Chelsea. Scoring 13 goals in 15 of Chelsea’s WSL matches this season. Unfortunately, the front-line being so stacked with talent has meant that other forwards have missed out. Beth England, who left Chelsea and joined Spurs in January 2023 for more game time to make her national squad, has not been named. Manchester United’s Nikita Parris also misses out, despite being in fine form this season. It’s understandable as Wiegman in her press conference explained that she would not take five centre-forwards. However it’s still frustrating to see such talent miss out on the national stage.
Forward Aggie Beever Jones also missed out on the senior call up. With Chelsea’s front line plagued by injuries, she’s another young player who’s stepped up this season, also having benefitted from a loan spell at Everton. She seems to have gained confidence and settled into senior football, and having been promoted to England’s senior squad in February for the first time after being included in the under 23s team, many were anticipating to see her name in this team list too.
Overall, the squad list was nothing different from what we’ve seen before from Wiegman. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised – the last few friendlies were for experimenting with new players and combinations. Now there is Euros qualification at stake, which explains why the manager is sticking with what she already knows. On the other hand, it’s also understandable for fans to be disappointed or wanting clarity on some decisions. England has so many talented female players that it can certainly be frustrating when it seems like some aren’t being given a chance.
The Lionesses take on Sweden at Wembley on 5th April, and Ireland on 9th April at the Aviva Stadium. It’s certainly a tough group, with England facing World-Cup semi-finalists, France, who are always a tough opponent, and Ireland, who only seem to be going on the up.
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