England will play their first Euros match on Saturday against France after beating Jamaica 7-0 in what was supposed to be an international friendly.
Sarina Wiegman has picked her 23-player squad, and it seems like her starting XI is pretty much secure, depending on Lauren James' fitness levels. The game against Jamaica was her first game in three months.
My pick of five crucial players for the Lionesses at the Euros.
Lucy Bronze
This will be Bronze's seventh England International tournament, so she has the experience, and she is tough, I mean it is her middle name. We saw against Jamaica her run down the wings to make some play happen, get the ball into the box, and even score from a header. She will always put her body on the line for her country. She is a trophy-winning machine. The World Cup and the Olympic gold are the only accolades this Lionesses has not won in her career, and she does not seem to be stopping anytime soon. She can rise in those high-pressure moments; she has over 115 caps for England and counting.
Jess Carter
Carter has become the media face of the Lionesses this tournament in the media mix zones and press conferences. She has a great relationship with Aggie Beever-Jones and Lauren James at the Club level while at Chelsea. She has won the Champions Trophy with Gotham this season. She is also in season, so has played more games recently on a club level, which is crucial for fitness. The defender is versatile along that back line, she can play as a full-back or centre-half. You need players like Carter who can move and adapt in a major tournament. She completed strong tackles against Jamaica before the Euros and took on a more forward role in the match, running up the wing with the ball. This was shown as she was able to pick out Lucy Bronze in the penalty box to put the ball in her head and for her to put it in the back of the net.
Lauren James
She is not a player anyone will forget anytime soon. She has not played in three months but did come on for England against Jamaica and made an impact. She did have some shots that went wide or above the goal, which comes with time away from the pitch. She also assisted Alessia Russo's goal like Carter, her pinpoint accuracy with the ball into the box for Russo to put in the back of the net at close range. Also, in the last year, we have seen James improve her versatility across the pitch, maybe learning a trick or two from her older brother Reece James, with her defensive skills, which have been commented on. Carter wished everyone who had to play against James luck, and the game against Jamaica proved that even though she was not at full fitness, she was still a threat. Since the drama of the 2023 World Cup, she has most definitely matured, especially with Lucy Bronze by her side at club as well as country, who has loads of experience to pass on.
Ella Toone
Toone has probably had the hardest seasons of her life with the passing of her father and her first long term injury of her career. She has come out of fighting and better than ever. She scored twice against Jamaica, using her left and right foot, and she also said that she scored a hat-trick, as Alessia Russo scored with her head, so the besties made it three. She can score in big matches for her country. She scored the first goal of the Euro final. She also scored in the 84th minute against Spain in 2022 to rescue England and take the game into extra time. She always turns up when it matters and is very consistent at a major tournament for her country. She will more than likely start this Euros after the previous Euros as a super-sub to be a game-changer.
Chloe Kelly
She is the true definition of a super-sub she will come on for England to bring in fresh legs to the forward position and make a big impact. She is the clutch queen. She has scored one penalty for the lionesses in the World Cup 2023 against Nigeria with a speed of 110.79km/h beating the most powerful strike in the 2022-23 Premier League season. She however is famous for the winner in extra time the little dink in against Germany to win the title for the home side plus the epic celebration which is now synonymous with her. She is ice-cold when it comes to penalties and her little bounce technique. This season has come with its ups and downs but more ups in the second half where she found her love again for football. She will be crucial for England to bring that relentless press especially in tight knockout matches.
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