The Lionesses’ World Cup plans were rocked after Arsenal confirmed centre-back Leah Williamson suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during Arsenal ’s 1-0 loss to title rivals Manchester United.
The England skipper went down while chasing possession and was immediately subbed off. Despite Williamson refusing the assistance of a stretcher, Arsenal confirmed in a statement the next day the 26-year-old would require surgery and was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, ruling her out of this summer's Women's World Cup.
The news throws England manager Sarina Wiegman an array of complications with just over two months until her side’s opening match against Haiti on 22 July.
England are already without striking talisman and Ballon d’Or runner-up Beth Mead, while Chelsea manager Emma Hayes confirmed fellow centre-back Millie Bright was “weeks away” from a return after suffering a knee injury in the Blues’ Champions League quarter-final first-leg against Lyon.
Wiegman’s reluctance to rotate her starting XI and provide more minutes to fringe players could prove problematic in a tournament highly influenced by strength of squad depth.
But Wiegman must also face the task of selecting a new captain for the summer’s showpiece event in Williamson’s absence.
Below, the Mirror writers debate who can take on the responsibility of captain most seamlessly in England’s biggest test yet in the Wiegman era.
Megan Feringa: Millie Bright
After England’s demolition job of Belgium to retain their Arnold Clark Cup title, the excited whispers spoke of an infallible Lionesses with the World Cup ostensibly wrapped up for the taking.
The enthusiasm was understandable, albeit slightly dangerous. But if there was one person capable of dashing the fervour with decorum while maintaining the Lionesses’ strength, it was Millie Bright.
Such is the job of a player bearing the captain’s armband, and while Williamson technically had the honour during England’s 7-0 victory over Belgium, Bright has bore the responsibility before. In fact, one only needs to travel a few months back in time to see who Wiegman preferred to take on the captain’s armband in Williamson’s absence.
“When Millie plays, Millie will be captain,” rang the England boss’ words, conspicuously overlooking stalwart Lucy Bronze.
It’s difficult not to find yourself nodding along aggressively with Wiegman’s spontaneous maxim. Bright oozes authority, calm and class in the face of the most high-pressurised situations.
Bright’s unflappable character has perhaps never been more discernible than her recent absence from both the international and domestic stage. A knee injury sustained during Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Lyon has ruled her out for what could be the season’s remainder. The absence has felt like a chasm not only in Chelsea’s defence but in their entire method of operation.
So too on the international stage her absence was felt, with the Lionesses falling to their first defeat of the Wiegman era in a 2-0 friendly loss to Australia as defensive mistakes and mental lapses betrayed them.
Bright should return to fitness ahead of the summer’s showpiece event. The pressure on England to perform at this year’s World Cup will arguably never have been greater, and with injuries ruling out taliswomen Mead and Williamson, a need to have a captain with recent experience in keeping heads level, emotions calm and spirits high is imperative. Bright cuts the convincing candidate.
Jack Lacey-Hatton: Keira Walsh
For the record, I certainly wouldn’t be against a fully fit Millie Bright taking the armband this summer in Leah Williamson’s absence.
Bright will be one of England’s key organisers and leaders in Australia, regardless of who has the armband and presuming she wins her battle against fitness. I also understand the calls for Mary Earps, arguably the most popular playing in the Lionesses’ dressing room.
But if I was Sarina Wiegman, I’d have big doubts over Bright’s fitness levels unless she gets a run of games for Chelsea, while having your goalkeeper as captain always just feels slightly odd. Here's a good general rule for any team coach - whenever you have any doubts over who to make your captain, give it to the best player.
That is why I’ll nominate Keira Walsh. The likes of Greenwood, Bright and Earps will always be extremely vocal, but Walsh would provide steely leadership from midfield.
If you’re looking for a player who will lead by example through actions, Walsh is the perfect candidate. England’s sole World Cup win for either the men’s or women’s game - back in 1966 - was built under exactly this type of leadership from Bobby Moore. No need to shout and bellow, let your feet do the talking.
Walsh is also one of the few England players who is a guaranteed starter if fully fit, although equally the same could be said of Bright and Earps. She is pretty much the first name on Wiegman’s teamsheet so appointing her as captain makes a lot of sense.
The last thing England need is more instability, so it would be a risk to appoint a captain whose own place in the team is uncertain. Walsh would provide stability and security.
She is our most important player, the most expensive in the world and deserves the chance to lead her country in Williamson’s absence.
Beth Lindop: Alex Greenwood
Millie Bright, as England’s vice-captain, is of course Leah Williamson’s natural successor.
“As a player there’s no higher honour really, to, when needed, lead your country out,” the Chelsea defender admitted when entrusted with the honour by Sarina Wiegman in the spring of 2022.
Bright has cultivated an air of infallibility since establishing herself as a defensive mainstay for both club and country, and her technical ability would perhaps render her an even greater miss than Williamson herself if she were to lose the battle to be fit in time for the World Cup.
The 29-year-old’s involvement in this summer’s showpiece tournament is far from a given. The dispiriting image of Bright arriving at Stamford Bridge on crutches for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Barcelona last weekend will certainly be a cause of consternation for Wiegman and her coaching staff.
With that in mind, the England boss could instead put her faith in a player who - barring any further injury crises - looks set to be a guaranteed starter when the Lionesses travel Down Under, and Alex Greenwood certainly fits that mould.
The Manchester City defender took the armband in England’s Arnold Clark Cup meeting with Italy back in February, captaining a much-changed side to a 28th successive victory under Wiegman.
Greenwood has also previously carried that mantle on the domestic stage in the absence of City skipper Steph Houghton, as well as captaining England at youth level.
“I want to be a teammate who is approachable, who they can lean on” the centre back said when asked about her leadership style earlier this year.
"It’s a massive honour to wear the armband for anyone, Manchester City and my country, but it's a responsibility I accept and quite enjoy. I don’t think of it as pressure.”
Greenwood is, no doubt, a different type of leader to the likes of Williamson and Bright, however her air of quiet authority - coupled with her impressive consistency - could prove the perfect solution to England’s captaincy conundrum.
Hannah Pinnock: Millie Bright
England are fortunate to have a squad full of leaders but they won’t need to look much further than Bright. When Williamson was named captain for the Euros last summer, the Chelsea defender was also named as her deputy.
Bright has captained the Lionesses on numerous occasions throughout her career, including in World Cup qualifiers back in 2021. More recently, she led the team in a friendly against Norway back in November.
The 29-year-old’s fitness will be a concern as she’s still nursing an injury, but if she’s fit for the World Cup and able to play, Bright as captain makes the most sense. She’s a leader for both club and country and shows it week in and week out.
The defender's level-headedness, composure and energy will be crucial for a team lacking such a key figure in Williamson. Bright and Williamson created a formidable partnership at the Euros last summer and it will no doubt be a big miss at this year’s World Cup.
Wiegman has quite clearly said it before, Bright will be captain in Williamson’s absence. “When Millie plays, Millie will be captain,” she said.
If we’re to take the England manager’s comments at face value, it would suggest this isn’t up for debate. Only if Bright is ruled out of the tournament should question marks reemerge.
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