WHY England must evolve under Sarina Wiegman

Selection headache for the entire team

Wiegman is a manager who does not do things for the purpose.

Selection of a selection is not done on a whim, but takes many things into account.

But she will rarely switch from a formula that is working, that much became clear as she guided the Lionesses to successive major tournament finals.

Despite receiving criticism for the squad selection as England were defeated by Germany in a seven-goal thriller on Friday (October 25), she reaffirmed why she chose the team as it is.

“We are playing against Germany, which is an absolutely high-level team,” she said at full-time.

“(There) are players knocking on the door, competing for minutes, (but) I’m not going to make changes just for the sake of it.

“The decision is based on the balance in possession, out of possession, defending, heading – I chose based on all those things.”

Naming a starting team is not easy, given the headaches surrounding the selection of a number of positions on the field.

In purpose e.g. Maria Earps’22/23 form made her indispensable for club and country and played a crucial role in Wiegman’s last two years in charge. Now Hannah Hampton seem to be aiming for the number 1 spot, leaving their manager with a big decision to make.

Defensive, Alex Greenwood stepped seamlessly into the back line as captain Leah Williamson tore her cruciate ligament last year. The latter has now returned, but is obviously not yet in his pre-injury form.

Ella Toone And Alessia Russo – a cog in midfield and attack respectively – were the manager’s secret weapon during Euro ’22, coming off the bench to deliver.

Now they’re both being called up as starters, and even if the club’s form suffers, they look guaranteed to be starters, especially in those big moments.

In each of these positions, several players are now performing for their respective clubs, warranting an opportunity for the national team.

Jess Park, Grace ClintonAnd Aggie Beever-Jones To name just a few, it can all be difficult if they don’t get regular minutes for their country.

Then there’s someone like Maya Le Tissierwho is a bona fide centre-back for the club but who, rather than focusing on those strengths, is considered more of a full-back by Wiegman.

A side that possesses so much talent, not only in the current squad but also among the next generation, cannot afford to dwell on sentimentality.

Seven of the players who started the winning final two years ago were lined up in their chaotic performance against the Germans in October.

It was so much of the same team, yet so far removed from the single-minded performances on which they built their success.

Sarina will no doubt use the friendlies between now and Euro 2025 as an opportunity to assess what options she has for her respective positions and make personnel changes if she sees fit, but that will have to come sooner rather than later.