Who Deserves a Spot in England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Squad?

With Sarina Wiegman set to name her England squad for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, here is a look at who deserves a spot on the plane. 

Although the UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain represented a last chance for players to impress, England have been rocked by the retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, whilst Millie Bright ruled herself out indefinitely for personal reasons.

Wiegman consequently was left with conundrums to resolve in terms of her 23-player squad selection which will be officially announced at 2pm today (5 June), although UEFA have increased the limit to 26 players which could open up the prospect of a surprise or two.

Now, here is a look at who deserves a spot within England’s squad for the Women’s Euros title defence, where they will face France, Netherlands and Wales in Group D.

 

Goalkeepers

In terms of the overall selection, the goalkeeping section probably was the easiest selection for Wiegman with Hannah Hampton now established as the new first-choice goalkeeper after she started the Lionesses’ last four matches.

Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating will also go as back-up goalies despite not having a single international senior cap to their name – nor experience as part of a major international tournament squad for England.

A serious injury to any those three before the tournament commences though would leave Wiegman with a nightmare headache, with only Kayla Rendell and Lucy Thomas considered likely alternatives unless she gambles on a recall for Ellie Roebuck or Sophie Baggaley.

 

Defence

With Bright having made herself unavailable for the tournament, I can’t see Wiegman making any changes which would mean that the recent defensive selection are expected to go to the Euros, consisting of;

• Lucy Bronze
• Jess Carter
• Niamh Charles
• Alex Greenwood
• Maya Le Tissier
• Esme Morgan
• Leah Williamson
• Lotte Wubben-Moy

Any injuries though will open the door for Gabby George or Lucy Parker to be a late call-up.

 

Midfield

Much like defence, Wiegman’s midfield pretty much picks itself with Georgia Stanway back from injury with little trouble in their Nations League fixtures, so I expect Stanway to feature alongside the following players;

• Laura Blindkilde Brown
• Missy Bo Kearns
• Grace Clinton
• Jess Park
• Ella Toone
• Keira Walsh

Should any of those players pick up an unexpected injury before the tournament starts then I suspect that Laura Coombs or Katie Zelem could be in contention as a replacement player.

 

Forward

With the forward selection, Wiegman probably knew which players definitely were straight on her list so that is the best place to start in terms of picks;

• Lauren Hemp
• Chloe Kelly
• Beth Mead
• Alessia Russo

Should the above bolded names all be selected that would leave just one spot and I definitely don’t see Nikita Parris getting the nod, particularly given how far down the order she seems to be under Wiegman despite her recent call-ups.

That leaves Michelle Agyemang or Aggie Beever-Jones as the likely choices and I would go for the latter given her versatility in being able to play out wide in the winger position if needed, as well as in the central striker role.

Lauren James though is rumoured to be in contention for a recall after she missed the Nations League games with a hamstring injury, but Wiegman faces the question of whether to risk her in this tournament or give her a full summer of recovery.

Although my instinct is not to take a player into a tournament who hasn’t played for a while due to injury, I however do suspect that James might be in with Bo Kearns dropped in midfield if Wiegman wants to stick to her 23-player squad limit.