The 15-minute cameo that proved Michelle Agyemang should make England's Euros squad

Telegraph

09-04-2025

Alessia Russo's withdrawal from the England squad because of injury was undoubtedly one of the reasons they struggled against Belgium – but there was an unlikely positive that could prove to be the answer to their striker problem.
Michelle Agyemang was promoted to the senior team from England Under-19s and made an instant impact.
Agyemang came off the bench in the 80th minute and scored an incredible debut goal just 41 seconds later. The striker took one touch to control the ball on her thigh and a second to hammer a volley into the back of the net.
WHAT a way to make your England debut.
Michelle Agyemang 💫 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/DS4uZPh1uM
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) April 8, 2025
The 19-year-old forward was only on the pitch for 15 minutes but in that brief cameo she provided the spark that England had been lacking.
Sarina Wiegman had opted to start Nikita Parris in the No 9 role in Russo's absence, with Aggie Beever-Jones operating on the left and Beth Mead on the right.
Parris struggled to hold the ball up and was substituted for Fran Kirby on the hour mark. This saw Beever-Jones move more central, which seemed to help her make more of an impression.
The Lionesses have a shortage of No 9 options beyond Russo. Beever-Jones primarily plays out wide for Chelsea while Lauren Hemp, who is currently injured, has played the odd game there.
It is clear that Agyemang, who has spent this season on loan with Brighton from Arsenal, is still a raw talent. After scoring, she had another opportunity to shoot at goal, which she snatched at. However, she has already shown a level of calmness and maturity beyond her years.
'She came in and did really well,' Wiegman said of Agyemang. 'She scored an incredible goal, the composure she has and the calmness… I think we do have to celebrate that [the goal] a little for her. We haven't done now, because overall we are disappointed, but that was really good.'
When a young player scores a goal as good as Agyemang's, it is difficult not to get carried away. It is important to remember she has only managed one goal in the Women's Super League in 14 appearances, all of which have come as a substitute. She has also scored one goal in the FA Cup and one in the League Cup.
But there will be a clamour for her to get more opportunities for England and rightly so. It was a breath of fresh air to see her come off the bench and play without fear. Her finish was instinctive and a glimpse of the unlimited potential she has.
As well as Russo, England were missing Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Lauren James for their defeat in Belgium. If all four players are fit for July's European Championship – and when Beth Mead and Beever-Jones are added to that group – the question is whether there is room for Agyemang in the squad. Wiegman can pick only 23 players. If the squad size had been increased to 26, Agyemang would undoubtedly have a greater chance.
After Tuesday's game, she has a strong case to be ahead of Jess Naz and Parris in the pecking order. Despite the latter's vast international experience, she needed to show more in the 60 minutes she had in Leuven.
Wiegman unsurprisingly played down the idea of whether Agyemang can be an able deputy for Russo in the No 9 role.
'I can't say that to you right now,' said the Lionesses head coach. 'She's an absolute talent and I think she's a very good No 9 but it's the first time she came into the squad, had one training session with us and came on.
'The spaces were really small, she's very powerful and in these tight spaces I thought she could do something good, which she did. Of course we will keep an eye on her and keep following her. It's too early to say now where that goes because I think when players come back and are fit, I think the competition up front is really, really high. I think in the longer term she is an exciting player.'
Still, Agyemang's strength, speed and instinctive finishing ability makes her a more natural No 9 understudy to Russo than any of the other options England have. She is not yet the perfect player and has areas to improve on, but she could not have done more against Belgium to show why the Lionesses should take a chance on her in Switzerland this summer.