Euro 2022: Ranking England players from "starting XI" to "watching from home" | OneFootball

The Women’s Super League may be over, but Euro 2022 is now just weeks away.

Sixteen teams will contest the month-long tournament in July, and managers will be close to deciding which players will feature in their respective squads.

It is no different for Sarina Wiegman. The England boss is set to announce a provisional squad this week, before the final 23-player squad is announced in June.

In advance of Wiegman’s announcement, GiveMeSport Women assesses who will be selected for the provisional squad.

From “Will be watching at home” to “starting XI”, our Tiermaker ranks a whole host of stars on their chances of competing for England at Euro 2022.

Will be watching from home

These players will likely be watching Euro 2022 unfold from their sofa or a pub garden. Molly Bartrip and Ashleigh Neville may have been two of the standout players in the WSL this season, but they still haven’t been called up to the England squad, and that’s unlikely to change now.

Sandy MacIver is victim to the abundance of goalkeeping talent in England, with Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck and Hannah Hampton almost certain to make the cut ahead of her.

While Lucy Staniforth and Gabby George have both featured for England in the Wiegman era, they have often only been called up because others are injured. If the majority of the main contenders stay fit, Staniforth and George will stay at home for Euro 2022.

Battling for contention

Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly are among some of England’s best attacking talents, but both face a battle to prove they are fit for Euro 2022.

Kelly has just returned from an ACL injury, while Kirby has been struggling with fatigue. Both players were in their respective squads for the FA Cup Final this weekend, suggesting they could well be featuring for the Lionesses this summer.

Former England captain Steph Houghton has missed the majority of the season after struggling with an Achilles injury. Her inclusion is a serious doubt, but perhaps Wiegman would like an experienced head around her youthful players.

Jordan Nobbs is another battling injury, while her Arsenal teammate Nikita Parris has failed to find regular game time this season. Both have a better chance of making the squad then Ebony Salmon and Katie Zelem, however, who are outsiders to be selected.

In the final squad

These are the players who are likely to be included in the final 23-player squad, but will probably start the majority of Euro 2022 matches on the bench.

All have proven themselves for both club and country, but there are simply more talented players available for England right now.

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Definitely on the bus

Barring injury, these players will be included in the England squad for Euro 2022. It’s hard to say whether they will definitely be in the starting XI, however.

Mary Earps and Ellie Roebuck are battling it out to be the starting goalkeeper, while Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Rachel Daly and Demi Stokes will all want a place in the back four.

Wiegman will have a headache over her attacking options. Should she have Ellen White or Alessia Russo as her starting striker? Would Ella Toone or Georgia Stanway be the better attacking midfielder?

Starting XI

These six players should be guaranteed starters for England at Euro 2022. As captain, Leah Williamson will likely play in a double pivot in midfield with Keira Walsh, a partnership which was so effective at the Arnold Clark Cup.

Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood are stalwarts for England in defence, while Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead are two of the most exciting attacking talents on the planet right now.

It’s up to Wiegman how she fits her remaining players around these six stars.

Final rankings

It’s no easy task choosing an England squad for Euro 2022, but we’ve given it our best shot. One thing’s for sure, Wiegman has some very tough decisions to make!