Latest news with #FranKirby
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
England squad has ‘so much talent' despite high-profile absentees
England midfielder Ella Toone is confident the squad will move on from the loss of three experienced internationals and put up a staunch defence of their European Championship crown this summer. Within the last two weeks Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international football, while Millie Bright has stepped away saying she is 'unable to give 100 percent mentally or physically'. It has left a significant hole in Sarina Wiegman's squad – the trio have 220 caps between them – a month before the Euros, but Toone insists there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic about their title defence.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Wiegman delivers verdict on Euro 2025 squad after high-profile departures
Sarina Wiegman dismisses concerns that England is in crisis ahead of Euro 2025, despite the absence of Millie Bright, Mary Earps, and Fran Kirby. Millie Bright withdrew to focus on her mental health, Mary Earps retired after learning she wouldn't be first-choice goalkeeper, and Fran Kirby was informed she wouldn't be in the squad. Wiegman said, 'We are going with this 23 to the Euros and I feel very comfortable with this team' and praised the training sessions in Portugal. Lauren James is expected to be fit for Euro 2025, potentially playing in the opener against France on July 5, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang could be a surprise element in the squad. The England squad for Euro 2025 includes goalkeepers Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, and Anna Moorhouse; defenders Lucy Bronze, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Alex Greenwood, and Leah Williamson; midfielders Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, and Keira Walsh; and forwards Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Michelle Agyemang, and Alessia Russo.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Sarina Wiegman dismisses idea of an England crisis ahead of Lionesses' push to remain Euros champions
SARINA WIEGMAN rejected suggestions of England being in crisis after naming her squad for this year's Euros. The Lioness chief backed her group to ignore outside noise following player retirements and a surprise withdrawal. 5 5 5 5 Wiegman was speaking yesterday, a day after England vice captain Millie Bright, 31, announced her decision to withdraw from being selected for the contest. This follows goalkeeper Mary Earps, 32, and playmaker Fran Kirby, 31, both calling time on their Lioness careers three years after helping the team become Euros champions. On the Daly Brightness podcast yesterday, Bright opened up on the reasons behind her choice and including wanting to get back to her very best physically and mentally. The 88-capped centre-back, and Chelsea captain, played an influential role in her club treble trophy win this season with the Blues going unbeaten in 22 top-flight games Bright's withdrawal and Kirby's and Earps' retirements before the July 2 start of the Euros in Switzerland, prompted questions on whether all is well behind the scenes with England. When asked if England are in crisis, Wiegman said: 'For me, it doesn't feel like a crisis at all. 'That is not the case. We know what is happening in the team and there is competition going on in the team. 'My experience (as England head coach) is that there is always noise. 'We expect noise until we go into the tournament. 'The difference between the 2015 (World Cup) and 2017 (Euros) to now is that the visibility of the women's game has increased so it seems like there is more noise. 'What we say all the time is that the level of the game has increased so much so the demands on the players have increased a lot. 'The demands in the WSL and also internationally and also with the Nations League. The level and demands have increased there too. Then the attention around – the players are household names now – that is lifechanging. When asked about Bright's withdrawal Wiegman revealed she was saddened by it. And she hopes the Lioness heroine will be back to her best soon. The Englad boss added: "It was sad and disappointing. "It's not nice when you don't feel well physically and mentally and I just hope she feels better soon. "Players are not robots. We try to support them as well as possible. Hopefully many players stay fit and healthy. "They (Bright, Earps and Kirby) have done so much for us and for English football. "They have been playing in the tournaments since I have been here so that's hard to replace. "But there are also other players who have done really well. "They get the opportunities now to step up and show [what they can do]." Wiegman's squad selection involved the head coach looking to the future with seven players appearing in their first major tournament. Six of whom are aged from 19 to 23. Among them is Arsenal's Michelle Agyemang whose call-up followed her stunning international debut goal during England's 3-2 Nations League loss to Belgium in April Her cameo performance after coming on in the 80th minute of that game is her only senior England appearance to date. And Wiegman backed the striker to add a new dimension to England's attack The Lioness chief said: 'We will see what she can bring. 'I have seen her in training sessions and what she did in Belgium – she can bring something different. I hope she can show that.' England took the unexpected route of revealing their Lionesses Euros squad via a video Three Lions stars Harry Kane and Bukayo were among the celebs naming selected players. Among the players who made the cut is Chelsea's Lauren James with the forward battling to be fit in time for the tournament. On July 5 England will begin their fight to remain Euros champions with a Group D clash with France. Wiegman said: 'I hope Lauren will be available for the first game of the tournament. 5 'I don't know for how many minutes yet, we need to see that. 'We still have one friendly against Jamaica, I hope that she'll make that one too.' England's squad includes six Arsenal stars with Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy and forwards Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly all selected. With Earps retiring there were also call-ups for goalkeepers Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating as back-up options to England's new No1 Hannah Hampton.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
England Women not in ‘crisis' ahead of Euro 2025, says Sarina Wiegman
England boss Sarina Wiegman insisted there was no 'crisis' as she named her 23-strong squad for Euro 2025 following a tumultuous month which has seen two players retire from international football and one rule herself out of the tournament. Wiegman has had to deal with plenty of moving parts in the build-up to her squad announcement, with defender Millie Bright pulling out of the competition to prioritise her mental health and goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacker Fran Kirby calling time on their international careers. It has been a far from settled few weeks as the Lionesses prepare to defend their continental crown, opening their campaign against France in Zurich on July 5. But Wiegman dismissed the idea that the England camp is unsettled heading into the tournament. Speaking at St George's Park, she told a press conference: 'We're going with this 23 to the Euros and I'm comfortable, happy and excited. For me it doesn't feel like a crisis at all."
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
England's wild week and their Euros squad assessed: Women's Football Weekly
On this episode of Guardian Women's Football Weekly, the panel react to a seismic shift in the England camp as three of the team's most experienced players – Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, and Millie Bright – announce they will not be part of the Euro 2025 campaign. With Sarina Wiegman naming her squad just five weeks out from the tournament, the panel discusses what this means for England's hopes, who will step up in their absence, and whether the squad still has the depth to contend. Plus, a full review of England's Nations League performances, Aggie Beever-Jones' breakout moment, and how the rest of the Home Nations fared. Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link. Support the Guardian here.
