Wiegman ‘really happy’ where England are at despite disrupted EUROs preparation | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman has said she is “really happy” where England are after announcing her 23-player squad for the upcoming European Championships.

It comes after an eventful lead up to the announcement with well-known names Mary Earps and Fran Kirby retiring from international football, whilst Chelsea defender Millie Bright withdrew herself from contention for the tournament, citing burnout.

Regarding Earps, Kirby and Bright absences, Wiegman said, “They’ve done so much for us, so much England, for England football. They’ve been playing the tournaments since I’ve been here, so it’s hard; hard to replace. But there are also other players who have done really well and now those players get the opportunity to step up. So you have to move on.

“In the last couple of days I found out – we were in conversation. It’s sad, it’s disappointing. As I said last week, it’s not nice and I hope she feels well very soon.”

Despite the disruption Wiegman insisted that she “[doesn’t] see any problems” in the camp.

“Having had lots of football conversations in camp, seeing what has happened off pitch and on pitch with the team, I’m really happy where we are right now.”

Lauren James has been selected despite being out with a hamstring injury since April.

“It’s not a risk. She’s training really well at her club and she’s at the point we hoped she would be at this stage. She keeps progressing and hopefully, when she comes into camp, she can go into training with us and keep progressing towards the first game… we don’t see it as a risk, we’re just building her.”

The women’s squad is only 23 players despite the men being able to select 26, but Wiegman is content with the situation:

“You want to have that equality but I’m also happy with the 23 players.

“But I don’t have to go with 26 players. You can only start with 11, and you’re not going to play a full tournament with 11 players, you need the whole squad. But 26 is a lot.”

Her squad included only six designated midfielders, including Georgia Stanway who has only played an hour of football this year, but Wiegman doesn’t think the midfield is light.

“We have to announce it as forwards, defenders, midfielders but I think we can move things around, with some players in different positions.”