With 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup just 99 days away, questions are circling over who deserves a spot in England’s squad.
This month’s international fixtures represented the last chance for various players to impress manager, Sarina Wiegman who now must consider her final squad selection for this summer’s Women’s World Cup which takes place in Australia and New Zealand.
Appeals from various countries to allow an expanded squad list of 26 players in line with the Men’s World Cup however fell on deaf ears, making the player selection even trickier with three players now set to miss out.
I have therefore ran the ruler over which players are likely to make the 23-player squad as England look to add a fifth trophy to their cabinet under Wiegman’s reign.
Goalkeepers
As England’s undisputed no.1 goalkeeper with virtually no reason to snub her, Mary Earps is a sure-fire certainty to be on the plane heading Down Under barring any injury or unexpected change in personal circumstances between now and start of tournament.
Ellie Roebuck meanwhile looks set to be second-choice and like Earps, it is hard to see her missing out except in event of injury or unexpected change in personal circumstances, so I do seriously expect Roebuck to be the second name straight on the goalkeeping list.
Wiegman though faces a difficult decision in terms of third-choice goalkeeper given that Emily Ramsey, Hannah Hampton and Sandy Maclver have all shared that role in recent international windows.
I though do feel that game time could well come into consideration under which Hampton would sneak that final goalkeeping spot in the squad, given that she has played more this season than Maclver and Ramsey have individually – let alone combined.
Defence
Wiegman’s initial defensive selection looks easy because Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson, Millie Bright and Jess Carter do look guaranteed bets to be in the World Cup squad.
I also can see Demi Stokes being recalled in order to bolster Wiegman’s fullback options especially at left-back, which looked quite exposed against Brazil and Australia in terms of depth and quality unlike Bronze in the right-back position.
The final defensive position though is a proper tough decision for Wiegman because she could opt for experience of someone like Steph Houghton or Lotte Wubben-Moy, or take a young defender like Maya Le Tissier who has quietly impressed this season but has just two senior England caps.
Tottenham’s Ashleigh Neville meanwhile could be a total wildcard given her overall defensive consistency in the last two seasons, yet I do expect Wiegman to opt for someone who has played under her which puts Le Tissier and Wubben-Moy in the hotseat.
Le Tissier however has enjoyed the better season in terms of overall performance backed up by various statistics like interceptions and blocks, so I would select her just ahead of Wubben-Moy but it won’t be an easy decision.
Midfield
Wiegman has often opted for a small midfield selection in every international window so I would wager a bet on the following midfielders being in the squad; Ella Toone (pictured), Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh and Jordan Nobbs.
As for the fifth midfielder, I can see Wiegman possibly opting for Fran Kirby if she is back in time from a knee injury with enough game time in Chelsea’s remaining fixtures this season.
I though do feel like Katie Zelem might end up getting the nod given Kirby’s injury issues this season and Zelem’s better consistency this season, although Laura Coombs can’t be ruled out if Wiegman opts for extra experience in midfield.
FIFA’s squad rules though permits 23 players so I can see Coombs sneaking in if Wiegman opts for six midfield players
Forward
Up front, Wiegman should have little trouble naming an initial selection compromising of; Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo because that quintet have all earned their spot and are currently in strong form compared to their rivals.
As much as I applaud Wiegman for giving Jessica Park and Katie Robinson chances in recent international windows – which both players have taken well, I would be tempted to bring in more experience to compliment a largely young yet strongly experienced line-up.
Bethany England therefore would be my sixth forward pick if I was in charge because she has rediscovered her form lately, aided by a well-timed move to Tottenham where she has been their best player since January with five goals in seven appearances.
Although Leah Galton is a tempting pick to complete the forward selection given her quality and form this season, I can’t see her committing to the World Cup given that she is yet to even earn a senior international cap through her own choice.
Park therefore would be the best pick out of the fringe players unless Beth Mead is back to full fitness in time, which feels risky but I wouldn’t be averse to Mead being named as a reserve to give her every chance possible of being called up in event of injury prior to England’s opening match.
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