From Lauren James’ injury doubt to whether to start Michelle Agyemang, Sarina Wiegman faces a dilemma
England’s performances at Euro 2025 have not always been pretty but a third successive major tournament final for the team and a fifth for the manager, Sarina Wiegman, is a phenomenal feat, and one that undermines suggestions that England have been fortunate. Ultimately, every great team benefits from a bit of luck, and England have something that sets them apart from many other sides: a hugely enviable squad depth that has powered them through to the final in Basel on Sunday. The success of “the finishers” at Euro 2025 has had many wondering whether some of those players should, in fact, become starters, or at the very least get more minutes. Wiegman has waited later and later to make changes and, while it is hard to criticise a formula that has delivered, again, the question is whether England could have avoided back-to-back games going to extra time by making changes sooner or even from the start? And, as we look towards the final, what should Wiegman do now?
Lauren James and Lauren Hemp have started every game for England in Switzerland with the former shifted from the middle to the right of Alessia Russo after the first game. Both have played well. However, the impact of both Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead when they have been called upon has been significant. Performing well off the bench is a skill and doing so is a bit of a double-edged sword. Kelly’s best games in an England shirt have been as a substitute. Start her and you potentially lose the swagger and verve she brings in the tensest of moments. Meanwhile, Mead has flown under the radar a little but her crosses and positioning have proved very effective. With James withdrawn at half-time against Italy with an ankle issue there is concern about her availability for the final and she has struggled a little in this tournament, moments of blistering brilliance showing why there was a desire to rush her back to fitness after time out with a hamstring injury picked up in April. A straight swap of Mead for James may be needed because of fitness but even if the Chelsea winger is OK managing her minutes to get the best out of her in the final will be vital.
