A new year always presents new horizons – problems to overcome and goals to aim for. 2025 will be no different for England as they look to challenge for the new edition of the UEFA Women’s Nations League and also mount a defence of their Euro title in Switzerland.
It would be understandable for both Sarina Wiegman and her players to have one eye on the summer. Major tournaments after all are the highlight of anyone’s career, on and off the field, but the Lionesses’ job for now is to remain concentrated on the task in hand.
“Everyone is always going to have one eye on the summer,” Lucy Bronze said. “But we are focused on one game at a time. It is important to us. I think the setup of the Nations League means that every game matters so much.”
“We’re in this moment now with the players and we’re connecting together,” she continued. “Friday’s game [against Portugal] is the most important thing and nothing else is as important as that. I guess for us as players as well, it’s important that we enjoy playing for England. We want to enjoy these moments.”
Placed in League A Group 3, there is no doubting that the Lionesses have a difficult group. England had a mixed Nations League experience in the inaugural edition back 2023 and are determined to challenge for the trophy this time around. Coming in straight off the back of that heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup Final, it took a while for the squad to re-adjust and defeats to the Netherlands and Belgium ultimately saw them finish second in their group. As a consequence, it mean that Team GB missed out on an Olympics spot while England dropped into the second group of seedings for this campaign.
2024 also had its ups and downs. Direct qualification for this summer’s Euros was a major positive but there were still losses to France and Germany that will have posed questions for everyone involved.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Millie Bright reflected. “I think there were a lot of lessons learned, as always. Football is very challenging, on and off the pitch. Some really good lessons, but a lot of good memories as well. We sometimes forget that the rest are also improving… It was definitely a year of learning for me.”
Opening games against Portugal and the current holders Spain will provide stern tests. Knee injuries for Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway mean Wiegman and the players have several problems to solve. Fran Kirby, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Beth Mead are also missing for this camp.
The central defensive partnership will be a point of intrigue for fans and pundits alike. The most likely answer will be for captain Leah Williamson to partner Millie Bright with Jess Carter currently out of season. England are not short for cover in that area with Maya Le Tissier enjoying a stellar season, even if Wiegman sees her more as a right-back than at the heart of defence.
The biggest question of this first camp will be who will be come in for Stanway in the number 8. Grace Clinton would be an obvious replacement, having performed that role adeptly when called upon. She has, however, lacked minutes for Manchester United in the first part of the year. Jess Park would be another option, although the Manchester City player is more natural in the pocket. There could also be a resurgence of the Keira Walsh/Leah Williamson double pivot that has not been tested since before the last European Championships.
Wiegman reiterated the wealth of options at her disposal pre-match. “Lucy can do it too,” she half-joked. “She can play anywhere. We think about many scenarios and what the options are… We have a lot of things in consideration and you will see tomorrow what we will pick.”
The England squad has had to become adept at adjusting to injuries over the last two years. One player who is returning is Niamh Charles after missing the last two camps with a dislocated shoulder. “Obviously we would love them [the injured players] to be here but injuries are part and parcel of the game,” she said. “I think it’s a responsibility that we all feel that when we come here we want to represent England as best as possible. We want to drive the standards no matter who is here and help those that come into the environment to get up to speed quickly as well.”
The Lionesses have been boosted by the return of Ella Toone and Lauren James to add some much needed attacking flair. Both are in fine form for their respective clubs, as is Alessia Russo, while Nikita Parris has been called up for the first time since November 2022. Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown have both retained their places from the November/December camp after making the step up from the U23s to provide Wiegman with more options and also continue to show the developing strength of the England pathway.
It means that full focus will remain on Friday’s test for now. In Portugal, they will come up against a side that has taken huge strides in recent years. England’s defence will have to stand up to the pace and 1v1 strength of the hosts’ attack. The attributes of the likes of Jéssica Silva are well known while Barcelona forward Kika Nazareth remains one of the most talented youngsters in world football at just 22.
“We’re going to approach these games to win this Nations League,” Wiegman stated. “It is also important to get us in the best position for the draw for World Cup qualification.”
“I just want to lead the team well,” the England manager continued. “I want everyone to play at their best. When they do and are connected at their best, we’re going to play our best game… We approach this game-by-game and want to get good results. Playing these games will give us more learnings too. Of course, every game is a learning game that we’re trying to win. While we had the opportunity in the autumn to try out things, play many players and also manage loads, this is the difference from where we go now.”
