Which players will make Sarina Wiegman's England squad?
Sarina Wiegman picks her Lionesses squad for the 2023 World Cup on Wednesday, and with competition fierce, trying to predict her 23 picks is no easy task.
Everyone loves continuity, especially when you win. Nobody would have thought post-Euro 2022 that one year on predicting the England squad would be so difficult for this summer’s World Cup.
A combination of factors have left head coach Sarina Wiegman with big decisions to make. She’s without her captain, Leah Williamson, first and foremost, as well as Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, while question marks remain over Millie Bright.
Then there has been the emergence of pretenders to those crowns, talented young gems uninvolved in last summer’s success. Maya Le Tissier, Lauren James, Katie Robinson and more, while others such as Jordan Nobbs and Laura Coombs have fought their way back into contention.
Knowing what we do about Wiegman’s coaching and her general criteria for selection, here’s the 23 I think she will pick when the squad is announced at 2pm UK time on Wednesday afternoon.
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GOALKEEPERS
Mary Earps
No-brainer. Earps has been Manchester United's number one again this season, breaking the record for most clean sheets in the history of the WSL with 14 across 22 games. While that hasn't all been down to Earps, she's had a consistently good season, remained England's number one and there's zero reason to think she won't be down under.
Ellie Roebuck
Roebuck has had from her best season for Manchester City, from soft goals to bizarre moments to red cards, but there's no doubt the talent is still there. She's still young, still developing and in the long run a season like she's had may do her good. There's been moments where she's reminded everyone what she can do and with Manchester City teammate Sandy MacIver taking herself out of the reckoning, there's no reason to think Roebuck won't be on the plane.
Hannah Hampton
Had MacIver not withdrawn and had Hampton not worked her way back into Sarina Wiegman's thinking, this might have been a more interested choice. But Hampton has got through whatever followed her around for both club and country and bar the occasional blip has been in good form for a thriving Aston Villa side. All three seem sure bets for the squad.
DEFENDERS
Lucy Bronze
Again, very little reason to assume England's starting right-back and their most experienced defender won't be on the plane. Bronze moved on to pastures new and by the weekend may well have picked up another Champions League title with Barcelona, where her attacking instincts have as ever been on show. Her ticket is booked.
Jess Carter
Carter has had an inconsistent relationship with the England squad over the past few years, generally in and out, but an opening in the other full-back area may well go to her if Wiegman decides Alex Greenwood is needed at centre-back in the absence of Leah Williamson. Carter's had a solid domestic season, can cover a number of defensive positions and seems fairly assured of her spot.
Lotte Wubben-Moy
There's still some inconsistencies in Wubben-Moy's game to be ironed out, but they're becoming less and less and she's still developing into a very good centre-back. Calm on the ball, a good passer and a solid presence, it's hard not to think with Arsenal teammate Williamson missing that Wubben-Moy is fairly certain to be in the squad.
Niamh Charles
Similar to Chelsea teammate Carter, a need for full-backs, especially those who can cover both sides, seems like something Wiegman will look strongly at in this tournament. With almost zero chance now Rachel Daly returns to her Euro 2022 role, England will need cover at the back and Charles has enjoyed a very good season, both defensively and offensively. Beyond Daly, she's possibly the most versatile player in the squad.
Maya Le Tissier
Everyone believed it may happen when Le Tissier stepped up the chain to Manchester United, but even most people couldn't have dreamed how well the youngster's first season in Manchester would go. With that, she's now started to hold down a consistent role within the squad and should Wiegman still require a new starting centre-back, Le Tissier has done more than enough to show she's ready, even if Wiegman's style is to fall back on experience rather than those relatively untested at international level. Despite still being pretty new to the squad, it would be a huge shock if she missed out.
Alex Greenwood
Again, very little doubt in this season and also very little doubt that unlike last summer Greenwood will have a starting role in the team. The only question is where? She's done very well at centre-back for Manchester City, but also done well at left-back for England and that appeared to be the plan before Williamson's ACL injury. With few alternative outright left-backs available, Greenwood may have to stay there, but it would be no shock if Wiegman placed her at centre-back for her experience and a partnership which she used for almost a year leading up to Euro 2022.
Millie Bright
The only question mark over Bright is her fitness, but everyone appears to believe the rock at the heart of both Chelsea's and England's defence will be fit by July. It might be a close run thing and Bright will likely go in with very little game time, but with regular partner Williamson definitely out, losing Bright as well would be a huge blow. If Wiegman is given guarantees Bright will be fully fit come July, she'll be on the plane.
MIDFIELDERS
Ella Toone
England's starting midfield three seems fairly well set without Fran Kirby in the reckoning. Ella Toone was the one often for pushing for this spot 12 months ago and with a lack of competition, it looks like we will see the Manchester United attacking midfielder start this summer. There is a question perhaps Lauren James could take the number 10 role with England's depth out wide their strongest position, but it's something we've not really seen regularly for club or country. Toone has had quiet spells this season and will need to pick that up for the World Cup, but she's definitely worthy of her spot.
Georgia Stanway
Fresh from singing Sweet Caroline with her Bayern Munich teammates after picking up the Bundesliga title on Sunday, Stanway will no doubt retain her spot both in the squad and in the starting eleven under Wiegman. Moving to Germany has allowed Stanway to develop her game in different ways, but i an England shirt she's held down her role from Euro 2022 with ease and is another one assured of her seat on the flight.
Keira Walsh
Another one which comes under the tag 'no-brainer'. Walsh was very often the standout for England last summer, earning her a world-record move to Barcelona where her playing style has allowed her to thrive, even if it's taken some adaption along the way. Walsh remains the key cog of England's midfield and she's one of the first names on both the teamsheet and the squad list.
Jordan Nobbs
After looking less certain of her spot despite a lack of midfield depth for England, Jordan Nobbs now seems likelier to be on the plane with a) England needing more depth in Kirby's absence and b) a fine second half of the season with Aston Villa. Nobbs was open in leaving behind her beloved Arsenal for crucial playing time and it's worked a treat. She's been scoring and assisting for club and it didn't take her long to work her way back into England's squad. Not a certainty, but likely.
Laura Coombs
Similar to above, and that's not to take anything away from Coombs' own season, but England are again lacking depth in this area and the positive for Coombs is she can cover all bases, whether that's being needed in a defensive role or a more attacking one. Her season probably peaked more in the first half of the season than the second, but she's been a constant presence in the Manchester City midfield and again, not a certainty, but I think she has a great chance of being on the plane.
Katie Zelem
For the fact there's still only five midfielders, I'm going to lean with one of Katie Zelem or Jess Park, with Park's recent injury placing the 23rd spot in favour of Zelem. She's been an ever-present for Manchester United this season, one of a few players to create over 40 chances and she's one of the best set-piece takers in the league. She’s also the United captain and will bring further experience as a squad member. There's enough there to offer a difference to what England have already and for that I think Wiegman will lean towards Zelem as the last pick, but Park would certainly offer something different if she leans towards youth.
FORWARDS
Rachel Daly
There can be no doubt and also no doubt about which part of the squad she should be listed on. While I'm sure there's a temptation in the midst of a defensive reshuffle to return Daly to her Euro 2022 role, but even Wiegman can't ignore the Aston Villa's 22 goals in 22 games, plus the goals she's scored in an England shirt. She's one of the most in-form strikers anywhere in the world right now and has every argument to be England's starting number one.
Chloe Kelly
There's very little doubt over these next two picks. Kelly had to make do with a substitute role last summer, though her impact was telling, and this season after a quiet start she's been in flying form for Manchester City, creating more chances than any other player - by some distance - and breaking the league record for chances created in a single season. With pace to burn and any number of strikers waiting to turn home her chances, Kelly is a certainty.
Lauren Hemp
Hemp may not have found her absolute best form this season, but that's partly down to her own lofty standards she's set. She's still been very good, chipping in with goals and ending the campaign with a spectacular effort against Everton which served as a reminder she can influence a game from either side of the pitch. With Mead out, Hemp's almost a shoe-in to start down England's left but even if not, she's a hell of an impact player to have.
Alessia Russo
Last summer's super sub in attack may look likeliest based on the last 12 months to lead the line for England this summer, but the form of her fellow number nines raises some doubt. Russo's overall game is more than just goals and she holds some unique qualities, but her 10 goals for United this season was 12 less than Daly and four less than Beth England who had only played a couple of games come January. Either way, whoever starts, England will be strong in attack and Russo is a certainty to be on the plane.
Lauren James
Not even in the squad last summer and given her impact since, it's hard to imagine. But James has come to the fore for Chelsea this season, added maturity and more of an end product to her game and consistently lit up the pitch for England. I've regularly said she's a once in a generation player and while there are still issues in her game, especially her pressing, she's a wonderfully gifted player who has gone from the outskirts to a starting contender.
Beth England
Taking three number nines with similar profiles isn't to every manager's taste, but it's really hard to ignore England's second half of the season. While she may not offer too different an option in style to Russo and Daly, England deserves her shot and like Nobbs made the January move away for guaranteed game time. Like Nobbs, Tottenham probably coudldn't have dreamed of it going this week and supporters will dread to think of where they might have been otherwise. Surprisingly, this doesn't feel like an absolute 100% dead cert, but she's done enough.
Katie Robinson
In a stacked attack, especially out wide, it wouldn't be a shock to see Wiegman leave out a forward in favour of depth elsewhere, but Robinson's performances have been superb in a struggling side, especially her goal and assist output. On top of that, she does genuinely have seemed to have worked her way into Wiegman's thinking since last summer and has consistently been in the squad, making her a convincing choice to place in the predicted squad.
Nikita Parris has had a good end to the season with Manchester United and her experience was viewed as valuable last year, but it doesn't feel like she's as needed this time around with the options out wide. Ebony Salmon brings various different qualities, including outright pace any defence wouldn't want to see come on late in games, but it feels like she would be in place of one of the strikers rather than on top of what's already there.
Predicted Squad
Goalkeepers: Earps, Roebuck, Hampton
Defenders: Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Carter, Charles, Wubben-Moy, Le Tissier
Midfielders: Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Nobbs, Coombs, Zelem
Forwards: Daly, Kelly, Hemp, Russo, James, England, Robinson
Errrr........where is Blundell???
What more does she need to do to get a place in the squad??
Part of the best defence in the league, can score, & assist goals, she is great ....
Less Manchester United players the better