Starters v bench: the big selection decisions facing England in Euro 2025 final | Suzanne Wrack | OneFootball

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?

Out wide

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 With James withdrawn at half-time against Italy with an ankle issue there is concern about her availability for the final and she has struggled a little in this tournament, moments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.

Up front

Four games, three goals and two of them absolutely critical to ensuring England’s progression to the final. Despite being given minimal time to work with – four minutes of normal time against France, 20 minutes of normal time against Sweden and five minutes of normal time against Italy – the 19‑year‑old Arsenal forward Michelle Agyemang has had quite the impact in Switzerland. There are calls for the young star to get a start, or more minutes, but are they premature? Russo may only have one goal and three assists in five games at the European Championship but the job she does for the team is about so much more than the goals. Against Italy, she struggled to get the service she needed and was forced to come deep or shift wide in search of the ball far too often. Agyemang, as Russo was in 2022, is partly effective because she is coming on against tiring legs and with an air of the unknown about her. Would she be as impactful from the start? Her track record suggests she would. However, more minutes and an earlier impact seems the more sensible option. Alternatively, the switch to a back three and two up front could be the key to unlocking England’s opponents in the final.

Centre-back

Jess Carter has had a tough time in Switzerland. Impressive performances against the Netherlands and Wales were bookended by woeful ones against France and Sweden. To her defence, against France she was played at left-back and looked far more comfortable when moved centrally. Meanwhile, with Alex Greenwood returning to a full-back berth she has not operated in for a long time, Carter’s job on that side of defence has been a tougher one. Off the pitch she has also had to deal with horrific racist abuse online, which she spoke out about on Sunday, prompting the team and many others to rally around her and express their support. Esme Morgan was picked ahead of Carter for the game against Italy, with the Gotham FC centre-back coming on for her 50th cap later in the game. Morgan’s performance in her first start at a European Championship was not perfect but it was quietly impressive and her pace is likely to win the race to start in the final. Carter did struggle against the quick Swedish forwards in the quarter-finals.

Midfield

Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway have been the pair to partner Keira Walsh in midfield throughout. Toone has had a very solid tournament with two goals and two assists. Against Sweden and Italy, though, England st ruggled to get a hold of the game in the middle, often looking a little lightweight and losing possession too easily. Grace Clinton has played 60 minutes across the tournament and offers a battling and physical presence, something Stanway in particular is usually known for. However, Stanway has looked a little off colour in Switzerland. Toone and Stanway have the ability and track record to show they can step up in the biggest games but Clinton and the livewire Jess Park deserve a shot off the bench sooner rather than later in the final, where the midfield battles will be key and maintaining the press can be exhausting.

Header image: [Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters]