Sarina Wiegman dismisses idea of an England crisis ahead of Lionesses’ push to remain Euros champions
SARINA WIEGMAN rejected suggestions of England being in crisis after naming her squad for this year’s Euros.
The Lioness chief backed her group to ignore outside noise following player retirements and a surprise withdrawal.
Wiegman was speaking yesterday, a day after England vice captain Millie Bright, 31, announced her decision to withdraw from being selected for the contest.
This follows goalkeeper Mary Earps, 32, and playmaker Fran Kirby, 31, both calling time on their Lioness careers three years after helping the team become Euros champions.
On the Daly Brightness podcast yesterday, Bright opened up on the reasons behind her choice and including wanting to get back to her very best physically and mentally.
The 88-capped centre-back, and Chelsea captain, played an influential role in her club treble trophy win this season with the Blues going unbeaten in 22 top-flight games
Bright’s withdrawal and Kirby’s and Earps’ retirements before the July 2 start of the Euros in Switzerland, prompted questions on whether all is well behind the scenes with England.
When asked if England are in crisis, Wiegman said: “For me, it doesn’t feel like a crisis at all.
“That is not the case. We know what is happening in the team and there is competition going on in the team.
“My experience (as England head coach) is that there is always noise.
“We expect noise until we go into the tournament.
“The difference between the 2015 (World Cup) and 2017 (Euros) to now is that the visibility of the women’s game has increased so it seems like there is more noise.
“What we say all the time is that the level of the game has increased so much so the demands on the players have increased a lot.
“The demands in the WSL and also internationally and also with the Nations League.
The level and demands have increased there too.
Then the attention around – the players are household names now – that is lifechanging.
When asked about Bright’s withdrawal Wiegman revealed she was saddened by it.
And she hopes the Lioness heroine will be back to her best soon.
The Englad boss added: “It was sad and disappointing.
“It’s not nice when you don’t feel well physically and mentally and I just hope she feels better soon.
“Players are not robots. We try to support them as well as possible. Hopefully many players stay fit and healthy.
“They (Bright, Earps and Kirby) have done so much for us and for English football.
“They have been playing in the tournaments since I have been here so that’s hard to replace.
“But there are also other players who have done really well.
“They get the opportunities now to step up and show [what they can do].”
Wiegman’s squad selection involved the head coach looking to the future with seven players appearing in their first major tournament.
Six of whom are aged from 19 to 23.
Among them is Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang whose call-up followed her stunning international debut goal during England’s 3-2 Nations League loss to Belgium in April
Her cameo performance after coming on in the 80th minute of that game is her only senior England appearance to date.
And Wiegman backed the striker to add a new dimension to England’s attack
The Lioness chief said: “We will see what she can bring.
“I have seen her in training sessions and what she did in Belgium – she can bring something different. I hope she can show that.”
England took the unexpected route of revealing their Lionesses Euros squad via a video
Three Lions stars Harry Kane and Bukayo were among the celebs naming selected players.
Among the players who made the cut is Chelsea’s Lauren James with the forward battling to be fit in time for the tournament.
On July 5 England will begin their fight to remain Euros champions with a Group D clash with France.
Wiegman said: “I hope Lauren will be available for the first game of the tournament.
“I don’t know for how many minutes yet, we need to see that.
“We still have one friendly against Jamaica, I hope that she’ll make that one too.”
England’s squad includes six Arsenal stars with Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy and forwards Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly all selected.
With Earps retiring there were also call-ups for goalkeepers Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating as back-up options to England’s new No1 Hannah Hampton.