With England’s squad for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 confirmed, here are three takeaway points from the selection.
Exactly one month away from England’s opening match of their title defence, Sarina Wiegman named her squad for the tournament which contains a blend of experience and youth.
It is easy to feel either excited or worried on first glance at the selection but there are plenty of deeper points which fans and media need to take away from the selection, so I have picked out three particular topics that needed to be taken away from looking at the chosen squad.
Future is Now
Although 13 members of the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro title-winning squad are still involved, there is a feeling that there is an element of the ‘future is now’ within the squad selection with seven players receiving their first major tournament call-ups.
Grace Clinton and Jess Park have established themselves as strong midfielders alongside the established selection of Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh, which excites me as the competition in those positions will be an exciting element of pre-match build-up against each opposition.
That however comes with apprehension because for Wiegman to take just five midfielders feels dicey in case of injury, although squad depth means that Niamh Charles, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson could fill in if necessary at expense of tactical options elsewhere.
Should Williamson be required in midfield then that opens the door for tournament debutant, Maya Le Tissier to make an impact in defence, with many having felt that she should of been part of the squad which finished runner-up in the World Cup so this might just be her time if given the chance to impress.
Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones will add fresh impetus up front after some positive performances in recent games, whilst this is a chance for them to gain major tournament experience which will only benefit them and England in the long run if they can impress here.
James might be seasoned with 27 caps but at 23-years-old and heading to her second major tournament, this is a chance for her to show redemption for her controversial ban within her first major tournament at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
James’ inclusion however is divisive given her recent hamstring injury meant that she hasn’t played since April so lacks match sharpness, yet she has the qualities needed to make a difference in attack hence her risky inclusion at the expense of another midfielder.
Mary Earps’ retirement meanwhile has opened the door for Hannah Hampton to step up and lay a marker to the continent as England’s new first-choice goalkeeper, having been the back-up choice in the last two major tournaments so this is a big leap for her on the international stage.
Behind Hampton, Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating will provide an interesting battle for the second-choice role in their first major tournament call-ups with both of them yet to earn a senior international cap.
Either way, I do feel like this is a transitory tournament for England which represents a chance for the future to begin stepping up alongside the established guard.
Wiegman Under Scrutiny
Having enjoyed two successful major tournaments in charge of England amidst Women’s Nations League woes and increased vocal scrutiny over her tactics and decisions, you have to feel that Wiegman will face tougher scrutiny at the Euros.
With the Lionesses arguably in the ‘group of death’ with France, Netherlands and Wales in Group D, Wiegman will be under scrutiny to avoid guiding the reigning champions to an early exit and her light midfield has understandably attracted criticism as has James’ inclusion.
Increased media publicity also will add extra pressure onto Wiegman to ensure that England deliver on the pitch and can at least reach the Quarter-Finals, as you can’t help but feel that she has taken quite a gamble in what she described as “… a very well-balanced…” squad.
Tactics wise, England haven’t really hit their usual solid heights as evidenced by just nine clean sheets in 24 matches since the World Cup, whilst there has been times when their defence hadn’t really been on tune – which was evident in April’s first-half horror show away to Belgium in Nations League.
England’s attack nevertheless is their best strength coming into the tournament especially with Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo in solid form, but their defeat to Spain last time out highlighted issues in how to respond when off the ball and attack gets nullified.
Wiegman therefore has to really find a way to silence her critics and minimise the scrutiny because an early exit just three years on from England’s success will only amplify the armchair moaners, although the transitory nature of the squad should hopefully give some hope for the future.
Need for Expanded Squad Size
With only 23 players allowed within the squad at this summer’s Women’s Euros when the men’s version in 2024 saw a squad limit expansion to 26 players, you have to look at Wiegman’s selection to see an argument for applying that expansion to the women’s game too.
The obvious evidence is the fact that Wiegman has selected only five midfielders which feels worrying because although there are versatile replacements available, there is a risk that it reduces tactical options elsewhere when a larger squad size would of benefitted midfield.
Millie Bright’s absence due to fatigue from her heavy workload across the season also is quite telling about the state of the sport in terms of fitness and match congestion, and should wake UEFA up to the need for a larger squad to allow more rotation and recuperation.
Either way all 16 teams will have to just get on with it come July as they will be in the same boat, but a larger squad size would of been beneficial in terms of fitness and wider tactical selections and prevent potential for fatigue to really have an impact on the tournament.
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