England’s latest squad announcement has opened the door for a new generation of talent.
Laura Blindkilde Brown, Missy Bo Kearns, and Grace Fisk have all earned call-ups as Sarina Wiegman continues to evolve her options ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Each player’s rise tells a story of consistency, leadership, and opportunity from Blindkilde Brown’s growing influence at Manchester City, to Kearns’ development at Aston Villa, and Fisk’s leadership at Liverpool. Their inclusion adds energy, competition and depth to England’s midfield and defence.
Laura Blindkilde Brown
She moved to Manchester City from Aston Villa in January 2024, significantly impacting the Manchester team. She made her senior England debut in December 2024 in the 1-0 win over Switzerland.
This season, she has had six appearances, scored one goal, and started five matches, playing 277 minutes. Her single goal came in a September win against the London City Lionesses, and she was named player of the month for September. This season, she has played slightly deeper alongside Hasegawa, and the 22-year-old has confidently taken on the responsibility.
Blindkilde Brown’s rise gives head coach Sarina Wiegman another option in midfield. In the recent squad announcement, Wiegman said she has “performed really well … positioning and game‑understanding are really good.”
Her role in the midfield will be more significant now that Grace Clinton has also withdrawn from the England squad. She is in fitness for the City. Wiegman commented: “We’re happy with how you’re doing at City … we just want you to come in and compete straight away and work really hard.” Her versatility, youth and top‑club experience give her a strong platform.
She brings a lot to this England side, including a technically adept midfielder comfortable in possession, pressing and transitional play. Her youth and energy will allow Wiegman to rotate players; she has much to prove to become a regular for England ahead of the next cycle, ahead of the World Cup 2027. Her time at City has given her experience playing at the highest level in finals and the Champions League, with some fantastic players.
Missy Bo Kearns
This season, she has made five starts and played 426 minutes for Aston Villa. She has not played in any of their League Cup fixtures. She was an England reserve player ahead of the Euro 2025 but missed out on selection. She was part of the England youth and U23 setup.
She moved to Villa in August 2024, motivated by securing more game time and pushing her case for England senior selection. This strategy works, especially with some injuries to Wiegmans' preferred players in England. Her inclusion gives depth and potential.
While at Liverpool, she made 100 senior appearances by April 2024; that season, she made 22 WSL appearances.
For the 2024/25 season, her first at Villa she featured 23 times in the WSL she has been a key player for their future development and aspirations.
She has previously represented England at U17, U19, U23 levels and captained U23s.
She received her first senior squad call up in May 2024. She made her senior debut for England on June 3rd 2025 against Spain she came on as a halftime substitute.
With injuries in the midfield and the need to rotate, Kearns offers a reliable domestic performer who has been consistent and stepping up. Her move to Villa shows pro‑activity and ambition, which likely aligns with Wiegman’s desire for competitive pathways in the squad.
Kearns will bring to the side box-to-box midfield energy, good passing range, and goal-scoring threat. She has leadership experience at a youth level and has a high level of maturity. She has familiarity with the WSL intensity and a player pushing for that next level, which creates competitions inside the squad.
Grace Fisk
Fisk was called up at the last minute for England this international break as she came in to replace Katie Reid who had to withdraw due to injury.
The last she was called up for England and the only time was the SheBelieves Cup of 2020. Though she did not play any games in the tournament.
She did not get another call up until now and yet to get her first cap for her club.
She joined Liverpool in July 2023 after three-and-a-half seasons with West Ham.
Over the summer she was given the Liverpool captaincy since Niamh’s Fahley retired from football.
She was the skipper for England’s U20 side at the World Cup in 2018 reaching the semi-final and winning the bronze medal.
With senior defensive options injured or being rotated, there is a need for reliable backup and competition in the back‑line. Fisk provides that opportunity: solid club minutes, leadership experience (captaincy), and strong youth international pedigree.
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