Alex Scott explains why England have a target on their back ahead of Euro 2025 | OneFootball

Broadcaster and former England and Arsenal star Alex Scott believes the Lionesses have a target on their backs ahead of this summer’s European Championships in Switzerland.

Sarina Wiegman’s side won the tournament on home soil back in 2022 after they overcame eight-time winners Germany at Wembley. A stoppage time winner from Chloe Kelly made history as England claimed the prize for the first time.

12 months later, the Lionesses narrowly missed out on adding a World Cup trophy to their cabinet as they were edged in the final by Spain. The current world champions, along with the likes of Germany and France, will be among the strongest contenders to win the Euros this year.

England’s form since the World Cup in 2023 has suffered as they missed out on qualification for last summer’s Olympics in France. The majority of their six losses under the Dutch coach have come in the last year-and-a-half of her tenure.

Scott, who represented England 140 times during her playing days, was inducted into the Women’s Super League’s Hall of Fame on Monday alongside former national teammates Gilly Flaherty and Steph Houghton, as well as recently retired trailblazing referee Rebecca Welch.

England wrote history winning Euro 2022 / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Former inductees include members of that Euro-winning team such as Ellen White. Speaking at an event this week to celebrate the honour, Scott shared her views on England’s trophy hopes and why the words of Hope Powell still ring true.

“I sure hope they can retain their title,” Scott insisted. “But Hope Powell always used to say it’s easy getting that England shirt, the hard thing is keeping it.

“It’s the same with trophies because you have a target on your back. Everyone wants to be the one that stops England from getting that trophy again.

“All the Lionesses know that. Going into the Euros, from the friendlies already, this won’t be easy or going there as favourites. It is going to be tougher than it was before but the girls already know that and hopefully in the games coming up [in the Nations League] we will see a different Lionesses team.”