Shock player exits and a problem position – the build-up to England's title defence

Telegraph

15 hours ago

England's defence of their European Championship title will begin on Saturday but much has changed since their historic victory in 2022.
The Lionesses remain one of the strongest teams in the tournament but the standard of those around them has vastly improved. There has also been a high turnover of personnel in Sarina Wiegman's side, with some big-name players having retired while younger talents have been promoted.
With just days to go until their campaign kicks off, Telegraph Sport takes a look at how the Lionesses are shaping up ahead of this summer's tournament.
Wiegman averts a crisis
The words 'new England' were repeated when the 23 players took part in a pre-tournament media day. It is not an inaccurate description of the current squad. Of the 11 players who started every game at Euro 2022, only six remain – Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead.
Alessia Russo, who was one of the 'super subs' at the tournament, has replaced Ellen White as the first-choice striker. Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, who both came off the bench to score in the final, are also challenging for places in the starting team.
Four of the Euros starters have retired. White hung up her boots just after that tournament while Rachel Daly, who played at left-back despite her preferred position being centre-forward, stepped back from international football in April last year.
The more surprising retirements came just five weeks before the start of England's title defence. It began with Mary Earps making the shock decision to end her international career, as Telegraph Sport exclusively revealed, after being told she would be the second-choice goalkeeper, behind Hannah Hampton, at the Euros.
Earps was part of the Euros-winning squad but was arguably more prominent during the Lionesses' run to the World Cup final in 2023. Her campaign to get Nike to sell her goalkeeper shirt coupled with her performances, which included saving a penalty in the final before screaming the words 'f--- off', made her so popular that she went on to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Fran Kirby was next to retire. The forward was told she would not be part of the 23-player squad for the tournament and announced her retirement in the aftermath of England's Nations League defeat in Spain.
Less than 24 hours later, Millie Bright became the third withdrawal, though the Chelsea captain has not yet decided whether to retire from international football. Bright had withdrawn from the squad for the Nations League fixtures in May and June, citing mental and physical fatigue. Wiegman had hoped she would be available for the Euros but Bright said she was not able to give 100 per cent.
The sudden loss of Earps, Kirby and Bright threw England's preparations into chaos. But the dust has somewhat settled in the last fortnight and Wiegman insisted there was 'no crisis' after naming her squad.
Goal threat is key strength
England's biggest asset when they won the Euros was their quality in front of goal. They scored 22 across the tournament – a record – and even thrashed Norway 8-0 in the group stage. But goals were slightly harder to come by at the World Cup a year later, with 13 scored in seven games, and subsequent Nations League campaigns have been hit and miss.
Still, it is undeniable the Lionesses have the most depth and talent up front. Lauren James, who was a standout player at the 2023 World Cup despite her red card in the quarter-final, has returned from injury. She can be England's best player on her day, but she is not the only exciting member of this squad.
Russo jointly won the golden boot with 12 goals in the Women's Super League last season while back-up striker Aggie Beever-Jones was not far behind with nine. The Lionesses also have Mead, Hemp and Kelly to call on while Toone and Grace Clinton can weigh in with goals from midfield. Michelle Agyemang, who scored 41 seconds into her England debut, is also in the squad as a wildcard option.
Problem position in defence
England had the meanest defence at both Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup, with Earps winning the golden glove at both tournaments. But the Lionesses have not looked as solid at the back in the past two years. The left-back position has been a problem area with no player having managed to nail down a regular starting spot.
It is likely that Williamson will play alongside Alex Greenwood at centre-back, with Niamh Charles and Jess Carter set to battle it out for the left-back role. Charles plays there for Chelsea but was not a regular starter last season while Carter is primarily a centre-back, her position at the World Cup.
Greenwood is the only left-footed defender in the squad and can play there, but Wiegman tends to prefer her in her more natural position.
England's other issue is they can often be left exposed when they lose the ball higher up the pitch. Bronze likes to rush forward but there is not always cover behind her, which was the case when the Lionesses conceded against Spain in the World Cup final.
At that tournament, Wiegman changed to a 3-5-2 formation and there is an argument that England would be suited to that style of play now. An extra centre-back would help alleviate the issues they face when Bronze gets forward and the weakness at left-back. Wiegman has not tried that formation since she fielded a vastly inexperienced team in a friendly against Switzerland in December but will no doubt have something up her sleeve if her tried-and-tested 4-3-3 is not working.
Spain pose biggest threat
Spain are most people's favourites heading into this tournament and it would be no surprise were they to reach the latter stages. Should England and Spain both top their groups and progress, they could end up meeting in the semi-finals.
Germany, who were runners-up in 2022, are also contenders and will be keen for a better showing than their group-stage exit from the World Cup.
Norway and France have continually disappointed on the big stage but could mount a challenge. France are in England's group and have an array of attacking talent while Norway's pool and route to the semi-finals is favourable.