With the 2021-22 domestic Women’s Football season now over, here is a look at who is guaranteed a bus ticket for England Lionesses’ squad at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
Just 50 days stands between England and their 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro opener against Austria at Old Trafford, Manchester, which means that questions are now circling around who will make the 23-woman squad for the tournament now the domestic season is over.
Add in an experienced winning manager in Sarina Wiegman and a tournament on home soil, there will be tough decisions as to who to retain and who to leave out of the squad on home turf amidst some injury induced questions concerning some players.
Now, here is a look at who could well be part of the 23-woman Lionesses squad for 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro which runs between 6-31 July.
Goalkeepers
The first-choice goalkeeper surely is likely to be Mary Earps who has started eight of 11 Lionesses matches under Sarina Wiegman’s management, in which she has only conceded once and serves as a strong justifiable reason for her to be their lead goalkeeper at the Euros.
Ellie Roebuck meanwhile is another goalkeeper who definitely should be in the squad given her strong club form, although she has struggled to break through into Wiegman’s plans following an early-season injury and conceded in her only international start this season.
If there is however a shock goalkeeping snub when Wiegman announces her Women’s Euros squad, I wouldn’t be shocked if Roebuck was to miss out with Carly Telford or Sandy Mclver replacing her in the squad.
Hannah Hampton meanwhile is likely to be third-choice goalkeeper but she has done incredibly well with two clean sheets in her two international starts, especially in a goalless draw against Spain in the Arnold Clark Cup in February to justify a place in the squad.
Defence
I expect Wiegman to retain the core of her defensive selection with Leah Williamson definitely assured of her place in the squad as captain, with only an unfortunate injury likely to see her miss out this close to the tournament.
Millie Bright is another player who should feature in the squad after having enjoyed another strong season for club and country, during which she netted four international goals since Wiegman’s arrival which represents a huge improvement on previous performances.
Lucy Bronze, Demi Stokes and Rachel Daly meanwhile simply have to be in the squad given their quality at fullback, whilst Daly has that extra edge within her versatility which will open up tactical opportunities for Wiegman throughout the tournament.
Alex Greenwood should hopefully return after she missed April’s international window through injury, although she has since been in decent form for Manchester City in recent weeks to merit a return to boost Weigman’s fullback options.
Jessica Carter has established herself as a regular defender this season with 33 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, whilst also featuring on the fringes of Weigman’s defensive selection for England so I do expect her to be part of the squad even if she doesn’t start many games.
Midfield
Much like in defence, I can’t see many surprises within the midfield selection because Man City’s trio of Jill Scott, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway have established themselves as three reliable members of the midfield to the extent where only injury would keep them out.
Scott though did spend the second-half of the season on loan at Aston Villa in order to gain game time to keep her in contention, yet her international experience of 156 caps should be enough to see her safely in the squad which could be crucial come the knockout stages.
Katie Zelem and Ella Toone meanwhile surely will be part of the squad because they possess the attacking quality needed to create attacking opportunities for the forward players, whilst Toone also offers the versatility of playing as a forward if needed which is a huge positive.
Jordan Nobbs’ inclusion is questionable after she suffered a knee injury in Arsenal’s penultimate WSL match, yet the Women’s Euros isn’t until July so if she can recover quickly then I would expect her to be named in the squad.
Nobbs’ injury record however could sadly count against her which could open the path for Fran Kirby to return, having slowly eased herself back into the Chelsea squad after a fatigue related illness sidelined her in recent moves.
Kirby is also capable of playing as a forward like Toone which would further increase Weigman’s attacking and tactical options depending on the opposition.
Kirby’s club teammate, Niamh Charles also should be in the squad because like Daly, she has great versatility in playing within different roles across the pitch and has been in solid form this season for club and country.
Forward
As the Lionesses’ record goal-scorer and still at the top of her game at 32 years-old with much-needed experience, Ellen White is certainly guaranteed to be part of the squad despite only managing 20 starts in 30 appearances for Man City this season.
White’s younger club teammate – Lauren Hemp also should definitely be part of the team this summer after a stunning season, in which the 21 year-old has scored in all domestic club competitions and also proved influential on the international stage under Weigman’s watch.
Arsenal’s Beth Mead meanwhile is another player who absolutely has to be in the squad given her consistent form this season with 25 goals for club and country, as well as her ability to create attacking opportunities for teammates which could be crucial during the tournament.
Manchester United’s Ella Toone and Alessio Russo should also make the squad given their versatility across midfield and forward wingers, which could be important in terms of tactical variation options for Wiegman especially with both players having made excellent progress this season.
As for the final forward option, Wiegman has a tough decision between Bethany England and Nikita Parris in terms of who to leave out, although I would personally opt for England purely on her stronger ability in creating opportunities and goals than Parris.