Sarina Wiegman has named her 23-player squad for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. With the tournament scheduled to start in just over a month, time is running short. The announcement emphasizes a blend of experience and youthful talent, as the team prepares to compete against top European nations. Lauren James is the most surprising of those highly regarded picks. Wiegman was full of praise for her unique contributions earlier this season, despite her limited playing time, underlining the Dutch winger’s talent.
The senior England squad will meet at St George’s Park on June 16. In China, they’ll start their final preparation for the tournament. While there, they’ll take part in some friendly matches, including one against Jamaica on June 29. From there, they’ll continue to prepare for their first group stage game against France on July 5.
Youth and Experience in the Squad
In Wiegman’s Squad are included seven players on their major tournament debut. This ambitious move underscores her devotion to cultivating new talent. The roster includes Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton, Khiara Keating, Maya Le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse, and Jess Park. Agyemang, just 19, was particularly impressive finding the net on her England debut against Belgium in April.
Seasoned veterans such as Lucy Bronze add irreplaceable composure and poise to their midfield. With her selection for a fourth Euros squad in a row, she provides a firm foundation to the young guns. Wiegman has retained three champions from Euro 2022: Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, and Keira Walsh, ensuring that experience remains a key component of the team’s strategy.
Wiegman is sure of her squad’s mix of youth and experience. She maintains that both aspects are key when it comes to beating the pressure that comes with a big tournament.
Tactical Considerations and Key Players
Wiegman has only selected five acknowledged midfielders in her squad. Included in that number is Keira Walsh, who will be a key figure for England in her preferred 4-3-3 shape. This decision illuminates a big picture tactical preference for a strong central midfield while trying to use pacey wingers to stretch the defense.
Even with worries about James’s match fitness—she has played only 60 minutes since December—Wiegman is hopeful about what she can bring. “It’s not a risk. We have some time. We still have a month. She’s training really well at her club. She’s at the point we hope she would be at this stage,” Wiegman commented.
Furthermore, Wiegman praised James’s potential impact on the field: “I think she brings something different.” This optimism mirrors the idea that James’s otherworldly talent would more than make up for any worries regarding his conditioning.
Standby Players and Strategic Choices
Standby players Missy Bo Kearns and Sophie Baggaley make their way in as part of the final squad. Laura Blindkilde Brown and Lucy Parker are its other members. Kearns’s absence from the main squad raises questions about Wiegman’s selection criteria, especially given her promising performances.
Even that squad’s construction is key to understanding Wiegman’s strategic vision as she gears up for next summer’s tournament. The Lionesses are pairing new talent with veteran expertise. They want to continue expanding on the successes of yesteryear and meet tomorrow’s challenges with the same grit and determination.
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