Sarina Wiegman says she is “close” to figuring out her England staff as she delivered updates on the health of Georgia Stanway, Millie Brilliant and Lauren James forward of Thursday’s Euro 2025 squad announcement.
England suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain of their penultimate fixture earlier than heading to Switzerland to defend their title after Alessia Russo’s opener was cancelled out by Claudia Pina’s double off the bench.
The Lionesses face Jamaica of their ultimate fixture on the King Energy Stadium on June 29 earlier than their Euro 2025 marketing campaign begins in opposition to France on July 5.
Talking after the defeat, Wiegman stated: “I’m close to the squad and will announce on Thursday. That is very close and [I’m] close to the starting line-up, but there is a month to go. We have ideas but also have Jamaica to play, some things are still open.”
Wiegman was boosted by Stanway returning to the beginning line-up for the primary time since November, having been sidelined all through 2025 after present process knee surgical procedure.
The 26-year-old was changed at half-time by Missy Bo Kearns, making her debut for the senior worldwide facet, however Wiegman insisted the change was precautionary.
“She is in a very good place but hasn’t played for such a long time,” stated Wiegman.
“Friday was her first minutes [since returning], she had not played any games. She could play 45 minutes and wanted to play more but this was smart to do, to take care of her.
“We did not wish to take a danger of getting one other harm. We wished to win this sport but additionally needed to have an in depth search for the Euros by managing the load.”
Lauren James was absent from the match-day squad as she continues to recover from a thigh injury but Wiegman claimed the Chelsea star was “progressing” well ahead of Euro 2025.
“James is on the pitch and is within the place we count on her to be. She is progressing in her rehab,” Wiegman added.
On Millie Bright, who withdrew from the squad to take an extended break due to physical and mental burnout, Wiegman revealed she would talk to the defender ahead of announcing her squad for the tournament.
Wiegman said: “Millie is similar state of affairs, we now have to have a dialog.”
England defender Millie Brilliant pulled out of the squad to face Portugal and Spain
Williamson sends ‘inconsistency’ warning forward of Euro 2025
Defeat to Spain arrived simply 5 days after the Lionesses secured an emphatic 6-0 win in opposition to Portugal and England captain Leah Williamson despatched a warning to her team-mates about “inconsistency” creeping into their sport forward of the Euros.
Talking to ITV after the sport, Williamson outlined her disappointment following defeat however insisted there may be extra to return from her facet as they give the impression of being to defend their Euros title within the coming weeks.
England captain Leah Williamson through the 2-1 defeat to Spain
“We didn’t really have any real threat. Under that much pressure, against a top side, that’s what happens sometimes,” she stated.
“We just have to be a bit better on the ball. Find solutions quicker, it’s a great lesson – maybe that’s been the inconsistency throughout the campaign.
“It is one thing to work on, however we might be higher. We all know what we’re able to; the sport modifications consistently, and we now have to have the ability to adapt extra rapidly.
“We have time to adapt and build before the Euros now.”
Wiegman not involved by defeat
Regardless of Williamson’s evaluation, Wiegman remained assured that her facet may enhance on their efficiency in opposition to the world champions on the RCDE Stadium.
“It’s a learning moment. I wouldn’t say I’m concerned, they did something different and then you want to exploit the space they leave in behind, but you need to keep the ball first,” she informed ITV.
Spain’s Claudia Pina celebrates after scoring her facet’s second aim in opposition to England
“That’s not easy, but it’s something to take with us again moving forward.”
Wiegman was then requested in regards to the efficiency of her first-choice goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, through the loss.
Hampton obtained a contact to Pina’s first aim however could not forestall the ball from nestling into the underside proper nook, earlier than seeing her second effort cannon off the submit 10 minutes later.
The 24-year-old is now on the prime of the pecking order within the place following Mary Earps’ shock retirement from worldwide soccer.
“She was put under a lot of pressure, as the whole defence was,” she added.
“There were a lot of moments with a lot of players around her, crosses right in front of her – it was a good game for her to experience that.”
What subsequent for the Lionesses?
All kick-offs UK time (BST)
June 29: Jamaica (H), pleasant at King Energy Stadium, kick-off 5pm
July 5: France (N), Ladies’s Euro 2025 group stage, kick-off 8pm
July 9: Netherlands (N), Ladies’s Euro 2025 group stage, kick-off 5pm
July 13: Wales (N), Ladies’s Euro 2025 group stage, kick-off 8pm
