Women’s Euro 2022

SARINA WIEGMAN says the “door is still open” for Steph Houghton with players vying for England spots before next summer’s World Cup.The Lionesses chief had “hard choices” to make with three Euros winners left out of her group before a sell-out Wembley clash with the USA.
Sarina Wiegman intends to meet with Steph Houghton at the end of October to see “where things are at”Credit: Getty
Fran Kirby is back in the Lionesses squad after a making comeback from injuryCredit: Getty
Chloe Kelly has also been recalled for England duty ahead of the team’s games against the USA and the Czech Republic in OctoberCredit: Getty
Wiegman was speaking after Houghton, 34, shared her thoughts on being dropped from the squad that went on to become European Champions in July.
The England head coach, 52, said: “I’ve had a conversation with her again and I don’t think she’s quite ready.
“We wanted to bring in some young players but it’s ten months still to go until the World Cup.

“The door is still open, and I will meet her again at the end of October and see where we’re at, at that moment.”
Chelsea and Manchester City stars, Fran Kirby, 29, and Chloe Kelly, 24, are back in the 24-strong squad following their return to WSL action from injury.
Esme Morgan is back for the first time since a call-up last September, with the Man City defender missing England’s camp that month due to a shin injury.
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But Jordan Nobbs, 29, and Euros-winning trio Beth England, 28, Nikita Parris, 28, and Lotte-Wubben Moy, 23, have been left out ahead of a tough test against the USA.
Wiegman added: “Picking players is all about performance and what we see is there is a big competition and the depth in the squad is really good. 
“It’s hard to make choices so I had conversations with all the players who were in the squad before, but are not now.
“I gave them some feedback and now they have to work and try to fight their way back in.
“Of course, we’ll keep following them because they are very good players.
“It’s not just that we’ll follow 22 or 24 players, we’ll follow a big group of players and pick the best ones.”
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England – currently ranked the fourth-best side in the world – take on four-time World Cup winners the United States at Wembley on Friday 7 October.
They will then play the Czech Republic at the Amex four days later.
The team are currently unbeaten under Wiegman having gone 20 games without a loss across all competitions winning 18 matches and drawing twice.
The last clash between the USA and England saw the Lionesses, then managed by Phil Neville, beaten 2-0 at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.
On if her players have anything to fear from their US opponents, Wiegman added: “With the development of the team, we have shown courage and really played with that to win and not to prevent mistakes.
Lucy Parker has received her first senior call-up for Lionesses dutyCredit: Getty
“We want to do that all the time and that is what we tell the players too.
“Germany and Spain were big opponents too so we will approach it the same way – play to win, accept mistakes and hopefully play our style on the pitch.”
Ahead of the October games, Wiegman has given a first-time senior call-up to defender Lucy Parker, 23, who has impressed for Paul Konchesky’s West Ham.
Jess Park, 20, was also named in England’s senior squad after winning praise for her Everton performances following a loan move from Man City.
Jess Park has been named in the 24-strong Lionesses squad after impressing on loan at Everton from Man CityCredit: Getty
Wiegman added: “Lucy Parker is very athletic. She has had some injuries but has had good preparation and good games.
“It will be good to see what they can do compared to some more experienced players.
“It’s ten months until the World Cup starts, it’s also an opportunity to bring through some young players to see where they are at.”
England Women’s Squad
Goalkeepers:
Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders:
Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (West Ham United), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders:
Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jessica Park (Everton, loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards:
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash). More

STEPH HOUGHTON found it tough to watch the Women’s Euros after being dropped from the Lionesses squad before the tournament.The former England captain admits she is not ready to close the door on her England career and vowed to enjoy every moment on the pitch.
Steph Houghton made her return to top-flight action for Man City in their season-opening clash with Aston VillaCredit: Alamy
The Manchester City skipper was sharing her thoughts with The Players Tribune just over three months after being left out of Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong squad.
The WSL star had been included in a group of 28 players chosen by the head coach before Wiegman named her final group which went on to win the tournament.
Houghton, whose City side play Chelsea next, wrote: “Of course, I watched the final – I couldn’t miss it. But to be totally honest throughout the Euros, I found it difficult to watch the games.
“I was so desperate to be there that when I wasn’t selected, I wasn’t sure how good it was for me mentally to watch the tournament.
“I was so frustrated because I felt like I had so little closure. The whole thing just felt strange.
“I texted all of the girls before the tournament and before every game. I’d always do that!
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“If I’m not there – whether I’m captain or not – I want them to win so much. I know how hard everyone worked for that moment.
“But, when you’re not there…I can’t lie, it’s always going to be bittersweet.
“Watching the final, I realised it hadn’t changed how I felt about any of the girls or how I feel about England.
“It’s so amazing for them and for the women’s game.”
 Last September Houghton, who has 121 Lionesses caps, sustained an Achilles tear and battled to be fit to for Wiegman’s Euros squad
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The centre-back, who has played in five major tournaments for England, made her return to top-flight action for Man City featuring in their 4-3 loss away at Aston Villa on Sunday.
And the defender, who led England to the 2019 World Cup semi-finals, is not ready to call time on her international career just yet.
This summer has seen Ellen White and Jill Scott – two of Houghton’s former club and country team-mates – hang up their boots after winning the Euros.
Houghton added: “I really don’t want to end my England career with an injury.
Houghton is not looking to retire from international football yetCredit: AFP
“I know Jill and Ellen have gone out on a high and it was the right moment for them, but I’m just not ready to close that chapter yet.
“That (being) said, I know I’ve got to be realistic, and there will be conversations with Sarina over the next few months.
“We’ll see what happens next, but right now, I’m just determined to enjoy every moment.” More

PERNILLE HARDER reckons clubs splashing the cash on top talent in women’s football is good for the growth of the sport.And the midfield star is backing Lauren James and the Blues’ summer signings to make their mark with the team chasing WSL and Champions League titles.
The women’s transfer fee record could be broken this summer two years on from Pernille Harder’s high-profile Chelsea moveCredit: Getty
Harder is backing Lauren James to impress for the WSL champs as they aim to retain the league titleCredit: Getty
It is just over two years since Harder, 29, made headlines following her world record-breaking transfer to the WSL champs from Wolfsburg for a reported fee of around £300,000.  
The Denmark captain, whose team face West Ham on Sunday in a season-opening duel at Stamford Bridge, has enjoyed a storming run of trophy wins with the Blues.
Triumphs include two successive league titles and two FA Cups with the player bagging 15 goals in 38 top-tier appearances.
This summer has seen the world transfer record smashed with Manchester City reportedly agreeing to sell Keira Walsh to Barcelona.
And Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Grace Geyoro with the Blues claimed to have had a record-breaking bid of more than £425,000 rejected.
On Tuesday this week, Harder told reporters: “I think it’s good for women’s football to get the money rolling.
“You could say it like that, but it shows that it keeps developing.
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“It’s a good development for women’s football, that players don’t have to play their contracts out, but they can actually get sold and clubs can get something out of the players.
“I’m happy that it keeps getting higher. I wanted to start something new in women’s football.”
This summer saw Chelsea sign centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan, 26, from eight-time Women’s Champions League winners Lyon.
The Canada star’s move was preceded by Eve Perisset, 26, becoming the first Blues signing under the club’s new owner US billionaire Todd Boehly.
Harder added: “All the new signings we got (for) this season and this year have been really good.
“I feel the improvement in training already and I’m really excited for the season to start and see how we’ll be.
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“Kadeisha has a lot of experience in the Champions League and being in a top team through almost all (of) her playing career.
“I played against her a lot when she played for Lyon. She has a lot of quality, is really calm with the ball and also really good in defence.”
Chelsea’s pre-season saw them take on Lyon and US side Portland Thorns in a friendly cup competition
The contest resulted in a loss on pens for the Blues to the French giants followed by a win against NWSL club Portland.
Among the players who shone for Emma Hayes’ side is forward Lauren James with the England starlet netting against Lyon in August along with Sam Kerr.
Since then James has gone on to earn her first senior international cap coming on as a sub for the Lionesses during their 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat of Austria.
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And Harder is hopeful the forward will impress for Chelsea this term.
The WSL ace said: “She had a great preseason. She’s a really good player, still young, but I think with time she will be a huge player for England.
“I hope that she can be even more involved this season because she’s fit now, she doesn’t have any injuries.”
This season, which will be Emma Hayes’ tenth year in charge, will see Chelsea chase a trophy quadruple with the team on the hunt for a first Champions League title.
The term also coincides with the start of a government-backed review of women’s football in England to be led by former Blues forward Karen Carney.
The sport’s financial health, growth and commercialisation are among the issues to be explored.
Harder believes Kadeisha Buchanan’s Champions League-winning experience will give Chelsea a boost in EuropeCredit: Getty
And Harder is open to the idea of a review of the progress of women’s football in Denmark.
The Blues star added: “I would love that in Denmark because I think we can improve some things there.
“When I see everything happening here in England and also other countries, I think it’s important for us in Denmark to keep developing and not feeling okay with how it is because then we will slip behind.” More