England manager Sarina Wiegman has strongly defended her approach and denied any suggestion of crisis as she named her squad for Euro 2025, despite the absence of key players Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, and Millie Bright. Wiegman emphasized her belief in honest, direct communication with her players and insisted the team remains in a good place ahead of the tournament in Switzerland.
Earps and Kirby have both retired from international football in the past week, while Bright withdrew to focus on her mental and physical wellbeing following a minor knee surgery. Despite the loss of three experienced members of the Euro 2022-winning squad, Wiegman said she is fully confident in the 23 players selected for the upcoming tournament.
“There is no crisis at all,” Wiegman said, asserting that she is happy with the current squad and excited about their potential. “We are going with these 23 to the Euros and I feel very comfortable with this team.”
Among the notable selections is Chelsea forward Lauren James, who returns from a hamstring injury sustained in April. Her inclusion is a significant boost to England’s attacking options. There is also a call-up for 19-year-old Arsenal striker Michelle Agyemang, who scored on her debut against Belgium in April, and Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy is also in the squad.
However, there was no place for Brighton’s Nikita Parris, while Aston Villa’s Missy Bo Kearns was named on the standby list alongside goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley, midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown, and defender Lucy Parker. Brighton youngster Maisie Symonds, who had received a call-up in March, misses out.
Addressing suggestions that her directness with players may have contributed to recent retirements, Wiegman explained that being straightforward is essential to her coaching philosophy. She noted that while she cannot control how players respond to difficult conversations, her aim is always to provide clarity.
“For me, it is really important that I am honest and treat people in the right way,” she said. “Sometimes, you have very good news and sometimes not. I just give that message directly. Then I hope they can move on, with the support of staff if needed.”
The build-up to the tournament has been overshadowed by media speculation and player exits, but Wiegman played down concerns, noting that attention around women’s football has grown significantly and some of the noise is simply a result of increased visibility. She welcomed the scrutiny as a reflection of the sport’s progress.
Some observers have raised concerns about the squad’s lack of experience, particularly in goal, with just 15 senior caps among the three goalkeepers. Yet Wiegman insisted that the overall experience in the group is sufficient, pointing to around 16 players who have previously featured in a major tournament. She praised the blend of experienced players and eager newcomers as a strength.
The Lionesses will begin their training camp at St George’s Park on 16 June before traveling to Switzerland on 30 June. Their first match in Group D is against France on 5 July.
