With the opening game of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 just three weeks away, England head coach Sarina Wiegman named her final 23-player squad for the tournament this evening.
Nine players are set to make their major tournament debuts on home soil including two of the three goalkeepers in the squad. However, former captain Steph Houghton is amongst those missing out with Niamh Charles, Sandy MacIver, Katie Zelem and Lucy Staniforth also not making the cut.
FAWSL Full-Time heard from Wiegman at St George’s Park following the announcement of her squad. She expressed her satisfaction with the quality and balance of her group
“We have experienced players and we have young players, we have a balance with that,” she said.
“It’s also about quality and we have lots of quality. If we need to change things during a game, we have the opportunity to do so with this squad.”
After cutting the squad down from 28 to 23, Wiegman confirmed that no other players will join up with the team in non-playing roles. That includes experienced defender Houghton who misses her first tournament since the UEFA Women’s EURO in 2009.
When asked about this significant omission, Wiegman said “She’s just not ready to compete. She did everything she could do and we supported her as much as possible. It’s just a matter of time and we don’t have that.
“She has had such a big impact on the game but is just not ready. She needs rhythm and playing time.”
On their return from illness and injury, both Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly have done enough to impress and make the final 23. After suffering an ACL tear in May 2021, Kelly has been in a race against time to be fit enough for the summer. Coming into her first camp under England’s new head coach this time around, Wiegman was full of praise for the attacker.
Wiegman said “She did well at her club and is growing and growing. She is getting used to the style of play, which isn’t much different to that at Manchester City.”
Spending the past few weeks at St George’s Park, the technical team have put a plan in place for the tournament.
“So far, we have been able to do the things we wanted to do,” Wiegman said when commenting on the facilities. “The technical staff have been able to develop our style of play.
“It’s really nice that we have been on these great pitches. It is really enjoyable and we don’t take things for granted.”
Taking charge of her second major tournament as the head coach of the host nation, Wiegman understands the pressure that the players will be under to perform.
She said “There is pressure. We have an off-pitch and an on-pitch plan and we want to manage expectations. What we set out needs to be really clear and we need to stick to it.
“We are in a pretty good place.”
The Lionesses take on Belgium at Molineux in Wolverhampton tomorrow night in the first of three warm-up games.
By Louise Golby
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