England's first camp of the 12 months was one among new beginnings as Sarina Wiegman's facet returned for the primary time since successful a second successive European Championship. Defeat to Brazil and victory over Australia supplied loads of learnings about how the Lionesses are wanting in the beginning of a brand new worldwide cycle as preparation for the 2027 World Cup will get beneath method:
Fears for Agyemang as damage checklist grows
There was deep concern for Michelle Agyemang when she went down with a serious-looking knee damage with 10 minutes to play in opposition to Australia in Derby on Tuesday. The post-match feedback from Wiegman did little to ease the concern. “It doesn't look good,” she mentioned. “We don't know but however I'm not very optimistic about what I've seen.” Damage woes have been mounting for Wiegman because the summer time with key gamers already lacking. Leah Williamson is but to return after present process a minor knee operation whereas Lauren Hemp and Lauren James stay out. Grace Clinton was lacking with a knock; Jess Park was out with concussion; and Lotte Wubben-Moy needed to depart camp early by sickness. However all the main focus now could be on Agyemang.
Debutants make their mark
Everybody desires to win soccer matches however the Lionesses have been introduced with an enormous alternative for experimentation on this sequence of friendlies, with two extra video games to return in opposition to China (29 November) and Ghana (2 December) to shut out 2025. With the strain eased, Wiegman used this opening, handing out three debuts and giving gamers essential minutes. Aston Villa's Lucia Kendall took her likelihood in opposition to Australia and was arguably probably the greatest performers. This was the 21-year-old's first call-up from the under-23s however she seemed like she belonged immediately, comfy in possession, creating alternatives and comfy amongst seasoned internationals.
Depth at left-back has been a constant difficulty however Taylor Hinds' adept efficiency in opposition to the Matildas may have given the teaching workers loads of meals for thought. Khiara Keating additionally made her long-awaited debut, beginning in opposition to Brazil. The defeat was disappointing however the younger goalkeeper was not at fault for both purpose and grew into the match. There have been additionally key minutes for gamers who've discovered themselves on the periphery, equivalent to Esme Morgan, Maya Le Tissier, Missy Bo Kearns and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Defensive frailties stay
The opening 18 minutes in opposition to Brazil encapsulated the defensive points which have haunted England for a while. The Lionesses are inclined to labour in opposition to pacy, direct attackers whereas additionally being responsible of creating early errors. Jess Carter and Morgan have been the centre-back partnership in a brand new defensive unit in opposition to Brazil. Each ply their commerce within the NWSL, the place quick transitions are the norm, however they struggled to deal with the velocity of the Brazilian entrance line.
Le Tissier, who has been the topic of a lot dialog over this window, began at right-back in opposition to Brazil however was moved to the centre in direction of the top of that sport and in opposition to the Matildas and seemed rather more comfy. The dearth of appropriate cowl for Lucy Bronze, nonetheless, stays an issue. The 34-year-old illustrated precisely how necessary she is to this staff with a purpose and an help within the first half in opposition to Australia, her first 45 minutes because the Euro 2025 closing. Captain Leah Williamson's absence was additionally felt, not solely within the management she brings but additionally how elementary she is to the best way England construct going ahead.
after publication promotion
Beever-Jones grabs her likelihood
There has by no means been any doubt about Aggie Beever-Jones' qualities as a goalscorer. The younger Chelsea ahead has been one of the in-form gamers within the WSL this season and has 4 objectives to her title. She has struggled, nonetheless, to get common sport time for England and located herself occupying the bench on the Euros. Whereas actually an out-an-out No 9, the important thing power of Beever-Jones is her versatility which provides Wiegman added attacking dynamism.
She will play throughout the entrance three and has even been utilised within the No 10 function by her membership supervisor, Sonia Bompastor. She began on the left in opposition to Australia and was probably the most harmful participant early on whereas her purpose was one other illustration of her vary of goalscoring skill. “I like enjoying for England irrespective of the place I'm,” she advised ITV. “I don't have a look at the stats, I simply come right here and focus to try to inform Sarina what I can do.”
Work to be executed within the attacking third
A surprisingly irritating side from these two friendlies for England may have been the restricted minutes they needed to problem themselves in opposition to a full-strength opposition. Brazil's Angelina and Australia's Alanna Kennedy each noticed crimson across the 20-minute mark for denying goalscoring alternatives. “In a qualifier I don't care,” Wiegman mentioned with fun. “However in a pleasant you wish to play 11 v 11 as that's the challenges you've gotten probably the most.” It did, nonetheless, power the Lionesses to adapt in opposition to cohesive defensive items. They struggled to take action in opposition to Brazil, who dropped deep to defend their penalty space , regardless of having alternatives to equalise. England have been a lot improved within the closing third in opposition to Australia, significantly within the first half. However their lack of scientific ending persevered regardless of the wealth of attackers they possess, and is an space the place they will enhance.
