Sarina Wiegman, has welcomed Arsenal’s Leah Williamson back into the international fold for the friendlies against Austria and Italy but the England women’s manager has ignored the compelling case for recalling Manchester United’s Nikita Parris.
After scoring six goals in her past six games and 15 in all competitions this season, Parris had been widely tipped to return to the England squad. Wiegman, though, was not sufficiently convinced to include a forward who established herself as a key Lioness under Mark Sampson and Phil Neville.
Not that Wiegman wants the 29-year-old holder of 71 senior caps to abandon hope of a place in the squad challenging for Euro 2025 qualification. “The competition up front is really high and we made other decisions this month,” she said.
“But since the new year she [Parris] has played in the nine position and she’s done really well. We have noticed that. I had a little chat with her and I hope she shows consistency because we are talking about her again. We are watching her very closely. It was a hard decision.”
After recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Williamson is poised to return to central defence for the first time since last April. “It’s really nice to have her back,” Wiegman said. After a squad meeting next week Wiegman is expected to confirm that Williamson will resume as England’s captain.
“She’s a very good player. She’s back playing at Arsenal, gaining minutes and doing well. The people at Arsenal are happy with her progress. Even though she’s been out for months and is still building, her decision-making is really good.”
Goalkeepers Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City).
Defenders Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona).
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
England head to southern Spain for a warm weather training camp next week and face Austria on 23 February before meeting Italy four days later. Both friendlies will take place in Algeciras.
“This is where the road to Euro 2025 begins,” Wiegman said of the qualifying process that takes place between April and July for the tournament next year in Switzerland. England’s opponents will be determined by the draw on 5 March.
Despite Team GB’s failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics this summer, Wiegman said she remained very worried about a congested club and international schedule which threatens to once again leave many of Europe’s leading players without a proper close-season break this summer. “Fifa and Uefa need to sort the schedule out. Players at the top level need proper rest; 2025 really needs to be better.”
