It’s decision day for Sarena Wegman on Wednesday as she decides which players will represent England at the Euros at home this summer.
The Dutch coach has some tough choices as she has reduced her squad to 23 players, having named a starting lineup of 28 players at the end of May.
Before the announcement at 5 pm on June 15, Sky Sports News English journalist Anton Toloy asked current and former players and coaches in the Women’s Premier League for their views on the dilemmas of choosing Sarina Wegmann…
Hutton inside or outside?
Steve Houghton has made just five matches in the Women’s Premier League this season and hasn’t played since January due to a recurring Achilles tendon injury.
She has yet to appear under Wiegman after she picked up her first ankle problem in the last training session before the Dutch coach’s first game.
However, the 34-year-old has a solid chance for the final squad, choosing to work on her fitness at a private training camp at St George’s Park rather than go on vacation before the team.
But does the former captain deserve a place ahead of the other star players?
“If there’s one person you’re betting money on to be in the best shape possible, it’s Steve,” longtime teammate Lucy Bronze said. Sky Sports News.
“I totally understand why Sarina wanted to bring her in to give her a chance. I know people say she’s been injured a lot this season, but anyone who has played with Steve, played against Steve, knows what she can do on and off the field.
“She is not the captain but she is still a leader. The team knows that and respects that, and Sarina respects that, and she has a chance like everyone else to be selected on the team.”
“Do I think it will be in this final team? Yes, I think so,” insists Aston Villa coach Carla Ward.
“You have young players coming to their first major tournament and Steve’s experience will help you tremendously.
“Everyone knows that Steve is a true leader and leader and the quality and experience that she can provide. She can be a soldier for Sarina.”
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Steve Houghton says she is happy to be back in the England national team after recovering from surgery for an Achilles tendon injury
Houghton herself is also confident – as you’d expect from such a professional – ahead of Wednesday’s final decision.
The Manchester City captain said: “It’s been a tough journey, as I’ve had the surgery, but I’ve worked hard to get to this position and I’m doing it day in and day out.” Sky Sports News last week.
“I am happy to be back on the field and back to my best level.”
Who would miss if Houghton was selected?
Sleeping Charles could be among the players he will miss
England have four centre-backs who each have arguably their best seasons in the WSL – Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Lotte and Ben Mooy.
If the four and Hutton are selected, it is likely that Nyama will miss Charles and ask Carter to be a backup linebacker.
However, Carter did not complete a full team training session after recovering from the domestic season, but this is not thought to be in doubt for the championship.
Kirby makes the cut?
Questions also remain about Fran Kirby’s fitness
Fran Kirby is usually one of the first players on the list, but she has not played since February due to illness.
England have three warm-up matches this month for Kirby to get vital minutes, but would Wegman risk a place in the squad for someone unsure of the start?
Ella Tone was the No. 10 in the Arnold Clark Cup, with Kirby pushed out at times.
England are full of wings in the squad, so would Wegman be willing to give Kirby a spot if the accuracy of his match is in doubt?
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Lucy Bronze says she has decided where her club’s future lies and says she is fully focused on trying to help England win Euro 2022
“If Fran is available, she should leave,” said former England midfielder and Birmingham’s new assistant coach, Joe Potter.
“The wealth of experience she and Steve have is crucial in helping the group through these challenging times.
“It is not all rosy during the tournament and having someone to train young players and play in the big matches is invaluable. If they are available, they are on my list.”
Kelly, Paris, Rousseau – will any of them lose?
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Lioness Chloe Kelly demonstrates her pool skills against Steph Houghton. Luck or talent, you decide!
Chloe Kelly’s return from injury gave Wegman a “good problem,” as the coaches call it.
The Manchester City striker only returned from an AFC Champions League injury in April, but he scored once and made three assists in five matches.
The 24-year-old didn’t have a conversation with Wiegman until last month. Now, the former president of the Netherlands may be preparing to deliver some great news to Kelly.
“I said when she was injured, if she gets back to normal, she will play a role in Euro,” Ward said. “Now she is fit and ready, she should be 100% in this team.”
If Kelly is selected, it will likely mean that one of the consistently selected Wiegman players will be absent.
Nikita Paris scored only one goal in the Women’s Basketball League with Arsenal last season
Nikita Paris has scored just one goal in the women’s soccer league this season, and it may have been a sweat for him despite his previous European and World Cup experiences.
Only Lauren Hemp has scored more league goals than Alicia Russo out of all the players on the temporary squad, but could he be the oddball Manchester United player?
Former Reading and Notts County midfielder Joe Potter can’t hope she won’t say: “Alicia Russo is a very complete player that I would like to think would make the team as I’ve known a great season.
“She can play a vital role, especially off the bench. She can score goals from anywhere, so if you run out of goals from Ellen White, she is the perfect alternative.
“Moreover, she has nothing to lose and there will be a lump between her teeth. »
Is there anyone who is almost certain to miss?
Sandy McIver is set to miss the Euros squad
Everton goalkeeper Sandy McIver was not selected for this year’s England squad before the provisional squad was announced, while Manchester United midfielder Lucy Stanforth played just 38 minutes in 2022.
Players can be substituted up to the day before England’s first game in the event of illness or injury, so the five players who receive bad news are likely to remain with the squad for the next few weeks.
Watch the team’s announcement live from St George’s Park on Sky Sports News at 5pm and hear from England coach Sarina Wegman at 5:30pm. Also catch up on the latest news on Sky Sports digital platforms.
Anton Toloi, Susie Wrack and Flo Lloyd Hughes join Kyle Walker for the European Championship which kicks off at 7.30pm live from the training base in England with all reactions to the team’s announcement.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Holland, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: calendar…
group stage
Wednesday 6th July
Group A: England – Austria – 8 pm at Old Trafford
Thursday 7 July
Group A: Norway – Northern Ireland – Starts at 8 pm St. Mary’s time
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain vs Finland match – kicks off at 5 pm at MK Stadium
Group B: Germany – Denmark – at 8 pm at the London Community Stadium
Saturday 9th July
Group C: PORTUGAL – SWITZERLAND – 5 PM in Le Sports Village
Group C: Holland vs Sweden: 8pm, Bramal Lane
Sunday 10 July
Group D: Belgium – Iceland: 5 pm at Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France and Italy match – at 8 pm in New York Stadium
Monday 11 July
Group A: Austria – Northern Ireland – Starts at 5pm, St. Mary’s
Group A: England – Norway – start at 8pm at Brighton & Hove Community Stadium
Tuesday 12th July
Group B: Denmark-Finland: 5 pm at MK . Stadium
Group B: Germany – Spain – 8 pm at the London Community Stadium
Wednesday 13th July
Group C: Sweden and Switzerland – Departure at 5 pm, Bramal Lane
Group C: NETHERLANDS – PORTUGAL – 8:00 pm in Lee Sports Village
Thursday 14 July
Group D: Italy – Iceland – at 5 pm at the Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: The France-Belgium match kicks off at eight in the evening at New York Stadium
Friday 15 July
Group A: Northern Ireland – England – 8 pm, St. Mary’s
Group A: Austria-Norway kicks off at 8pm at Brighton & Hove Community Stadium
Saturday 16th July
Group B: Finland – Germany – kicks off at eight in the evening at the MK Stadium
Group B: Denmark – Spain – at 8 pm at the London Community Stadium
Sunday 17 July
Group C: Switzerland and the Netherlands – kick-off at 5 pm, Bramal Linn
Group C: Sweden and Portugal – 5 pm at Lee Sports Village
Monday 18 July
Group D: Iceland vs France – start at 8pm at New York Stadium
Group D: Italy – Belgium – kicks off at 8 pm at Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout Theater
Quarter-finals
Wednesday 20 July
Quarter-final 1: Group A winners – Group B runners-up – 8pm, kick-off at Brighton & Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Group B winners vs. Group A runners-up at 8pm at London Community Stadium
Friday July 22
Quarter-final 3: Group C winners – Group D runner-up – 8pm at Lee Sports Village
Quarter-final 4: Group D winners vs. Group C runner-up at 8pm at New York Stadium
semi final
Tuesday 26th July
semi final 1: Winner Quarter Final 1 vs Winner Quarter Final 3 – Start at 8pm, Bramal Lane
Wednesday 27 July
Semi-final 2: Winner Quarter-final 2 – Winner Quarter-final 4 – Kick-off 8pm, MK . Stadium
ultimate
Sunday July 31
Semi-finalists Winners 1 – Winners Semi-finals 2 – kick-off 5pm, Wembley