Sarina Wiegman has announced her 23-player England squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships in Switzerland.
The most notable name in the lineup is that of Lauren James, who has missed out on a chunk of football after sustaining an injury during England’s April international break.
“It’s not a risk, of course we have some time, we have a month. She’s training really well with club. She’s at the stage we hoped she would be at this stage, and she keeps progressing. Hopefully when she comes into camp, she can go into training with us and keep progressing towards the first game on the 5th of July.”
Millie Bright withdrew herself from selection in order to prioritise her mental and physical health.
“It’s sad, it’s disappointing,” Wiegman said on Bright’s withdrawal. “It’s not nice when you don’t feel well, physically, mentally, and I just hope she feels well very soon.”
Fans have voiced their concerns about the lack of experience in the England squad heading to Switzerland, following both Fran Kirby and Mary Earps’ retirement. Wiegman stressed the importance of having experience in her ranks, but was certain that the squad have enough balance to compete at the highest level.
“There’s about 16 players who have played a major tournament, also with playing at such a high level club that you are your experience with playing for big crowds. So I don’t think there’s a problem. I think the experience is enough, the balance with very well, very young. They’re not all very young. And with players that coming in and playing the first tournament, they’re so eager, too. So I think that that balance and those dynamics are pretty good in our team.”
The head coach was eager to move on from the conversation around Earps’s retirement and Bright’s absence, admitting “I’m very happy with my squad moving forward”.
“Well, there’s two different situations here, and it’s just sad that they’re not in the team, but at the same time, it gives opportunities for other players to be in the team and and they step up,” Wiegman affirmed.
“Of course, I will always cherish what we have had, so that’s that’s a long period of time we had such an incredible journey with lots of highs, and, of course, a couple of of lows too. That’s part of football, part of life, and I would never, ever forget that. But at this moment, this is the situation. We’ve moved on, this is the squad now, and I’m really looking forward to the Euros.”
The head coach praised goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who has became England’s number one over recent months.
“I think she has worked very hard. Of course, she’s had a journey with us, and had some setbacks and coming back. I think she’s a very impressive goalkeeper. She knows now where she stands, and I hope she’s going to show that at the Euros, and I’m looking forward to that. We have two other talented goalkeepers in our squad and that make that goalkeeper team the three.”
