Sarina Wiegman Faces Selection Dilemma as Young Talent Shines
England’s final international break of 2024 provided head coach Sarina Wiegman with a chance to experiment with her squad ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship. While the Lionesses earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Switzerland at Bramall Lane on December 3, their earlier 0-0 draw with the USA at Wembley on November 30 revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of a squad in transition.
With Euro 2025 fast approaching, these friendlies highlighted some significant lessons. Here are six key takeaways from England’s latest international break as they look to defend their European title next summer.
1. Improved Defensive
England’s defensive stability was one of the biggest positives from their recent fixtures. Following a disappointing showing in October, where defensive mistakes led to five goals conceded, Sarina Wiegman’s side looked far more resolute this time. Leah Williamson, who has endured an injury-hit season with Arsenal, regained her form at center-back and formed an effective partnership with Chelsea’s Jess Carter. Full-backs Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood also stood out with solid performances.
The Lionesses are now blessed with depth in defense, with a pool of talented players like Esme Morgan, Maya Le Tissier, Gabby George, and Millie Turner all vying for starting positions. This defensive depth provides Wiegman with a welcome selection headache as she prepares for next summer’s tournament.
2. Grace Clinton Shines as the Future of England’s Midfield
One of the brightest talents emerging from England’s youth ranks is Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton. In just her second start for the Lionesses, Clinton delivered a brilliant performance against Switzerland. She scored the match-winning goal after just eight minutes, showing excellent positional awareness to tap in Millie Turner’s deflected header.
Clinton’s maturity on the ball and ability to carry it forward with poise impressed many. Her vision and composure make her a key player for the future, and England fans will be eager to see more of the 21-year-old, especially as she combines well with fellow midfielders Jess Park and Laura Blindkilde Brown.
3. Experimental Line-ups Need More Time to Gel
Wiegman made several changes to her starting eleven in both matches, rotating players to assess their readiness for Euro 2025. In the game against Switzerland, debutants Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown were handed their first caps, while players like Millie Turner and Aggie Beever-Jones earned their first starts for the senior team.
Despite the victory, it was clear that the heavy rotation led to a lack of cohesion on the pitch. Wiegman herself acknowledged that the younger players would need more time to develop chemistry and adjust to the senior setup. The coach was not overly concerned with the lack of creativity on display, understanding that these players were still gaining valuable experience at this level.
4. Competition in Midfield is Essential
Keira Walsh has long been regarded as the engine of England’s midfield, and her performances have often been pivotal in big matches. However, during the 0-0 draw against the USA, Walsh was outshone by Sam Coffey, who dictated play from the middle of the park. While Walsh remains one of the Lionesses’ most talented players, there are concerns that she may benefit from increased competition for her role.
Currently, there is no obvious backup to Walsh in the defensive midfield position. Although Ruby Mace is an exciting young talent, she still has a lot of development ahead. As England heads into Euro 2025, Wiegman will need to assess whether Walsh can maintain her level of performance or if a more dynamic alternative can emerge.
5. Young Talent Makes Its Mark
The December fixtures saw several young players given opportunities to showcase their skills on the international stage. Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown, both of whom have impressed for their club sides, earned their first caps in the 1-0 win over Switzerland. The pair showed flashes of promise despite obvious nerves, and their performances suggest that they could play an important role for England in the years to come.
With the Lionesses’ squad depth growing, players like Mace, Blindkilde Brown, and Beever-Jones will have their sights set on Euro 2025, but they must continue to improve and adapt to the senior international setup.
6. Wiegman Faces a Difficult Selection Dilemma Ahead of Euro 2025
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this international break is the sheer depth of talent at Wiegman’s disposal. With so many players vying for spots in the starting eleven, the England manager faces a complex selection headache ahead of next summer’s European Championship. The rotation over the two friendlies demonstrated that England’s pool of talent stretches across nearly every position, from defense to midfield.
While the young stars impressed, the absence of key players like Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, and Ella Toone due to injury further complicates Wiegman’s decision-making process. With Euro 2025 on the horizon, Wiegman will be limited to a squad of 23 players, three of whom must be goalkeepers. This means that some of England’s emerging talents may have to wait their turn, despite strong performances in recent friendlies.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for England, but Challenges Remain
England’s final international break of 2024 revealed much about the strengths and weaknesses of the current squad as they look ahead to Euro 2025. While the performances were not perfect, Wiegman has ample options to choose from, and the development of young talent like Clinton and Mace is promising. However, the heavy rotation, along with competition in key areas such as midfield, suggests that England will need more time to fully gel as a unit.
With a wealth of talent at her disposal, Wiegman’s selection dilemma is a good problem to have, but it will require careful management as she looks to build a team capable of defending their European title next summer.
