Friday, November 22, 2024

What’s changed for the Lionesses since Euro 2022 final?

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While there has been plenty of chopping and changing in terms of the overall squad, Wiegman has largely stuck with the same names – although injury has sometimes forced her hand.

Captain Leah Williamson and Millie Bright have both had their own injury woes but still seem to be the Dutchwoman’s first choice centre-back pairing when fully fit, although Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter are both trusted replacements.

Carter has also been used at left-back along with Niamh Charles, while Lucy Bronze is unchallenged at right-back.

In recent European qualifiers, Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead have flanked each wing like they did in the last Euros.

Alessia Russo has replaced Ellen White to lead England’s frontline and, although she has had an indifferent start to the season for Arsenal and is yet to find the net in the league, only Mead has scored more goals for the Lionesses in the latest squad.

Respective moves abroad to Barcelona and Bayern Munich have paid off for Kiera Walsh and Georgia Stanway, who remain regular starters in the England midfield.

The biggest question mark hangs over the goalkeeper position, with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton starting the last three England games instead of Mary Earps.

Earps was Wiegman’s top choice during the Euros and last year’s World Cup, but the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner has had fitness issues and struggled for game time since her move to Paris St-Germain in the summer.

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