Women’s Euro 2022

SARINA WIEGMAN refused to be drawn on reasons for dropping Hannah Hampton from her England squad amid reports concerning the player’s attitude.And the Lionesses chief brushed off the clamour to call up Spurs star Ashleigh Neville before friendlies against Japan and Norway.
Sarina Wiegman says the door is always open for players who perform after leaving Hannah Hampton out of her squadCredit: PA
Hampton has not been included in an England squad since being part of the group that won the Euros in JulyCredit: Getty
Wiegman was speaking earlier today after naming her 25-strong group ahead of England’s final two games of this year.   
The November fixtures will see Hampton, who impressed on her senior debut in February in a 0-0 draw with Spain, out of England’s squad for the third time since their Euros triumph.
The Villa shot-stopper, 21, was first dropped by Wiegman ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup qualifier wins against Austria and Luxembourg in September.
When questioned on her decision to leave Hampton out of her latest squad, Wiegman 52, said: “She has to do something personal that I would not like to comment on.
“I haven’t spoken to her myself, we have made a plan, she’s at her club, she’s taking care of that.
“We are supporting her and that’s where we are right now. 
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“It’s the same reason as I said in September, nothing changed. That’s basically what it is. 
“She still has to (sort things out), it’s something personal I would not like to comment on further.
“The door is always open. When players perform and they perform consistently at the club, then they have a chance to make the squad.”
Hours after Wiegman’s squad announcement, Hampton revealed she would be out of action for a few weeks to address an “ongoing medical” matter.
In a tweet published on Tuesday evening, Hampton wrote: “I just wanted to give you all an update on my season so far.
“I’ve been suffering from an ongoing medical issue for a while and it’s time to finally address it properly this week with a small procedure.
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“I’ll be out for a few weeks now as I recover with the support of everyone at the club, but I will be watching the girls and cheering them on.
“My priority now is to return to fitness, get back on the pitch and give my all for the team.”

Manchester United high-flyer Maya Le Tissier and Brighton starlet Katie Robinson were given their first senior call-ups by Wiegman.
Both players, who were clubmates at the Seagulls under former England and Albion boss Hope Powell, have shone on the domestic stage this term.
And both have impressed in the Lionesses youth sides including the Under-17s whom Le Tissier once captained.
Maya Le Tissier has been named in England’s senior squad for the first time in her careerCredit: PA
Uncapped Katie Robinson has also been given her first senior call-up after impressing for BrightonCredit: PA
Arsenal star Jordan Nobbs makes her return to the Lionesses along with Chelsea ace Niamh Charles with both in fine form for their clubs.
But there was no call-up for Spurs defender Ashleigh Neville, who has impressed for Tottenham this term bagging a brace in their 8-0 drubbing of Brighton.
The left-back’s displays have seen some WSL followers on social media push for a call-up for the 29-year-old.
The Spurs star has registered three goals and two assists in five top-tier games this season.
Wiegman added: “Ashleigh plays different positions now. Last season she played more as a fullback, this season she plays a little higher up the pitch.
Jordan Nobbs has been recalled following some standout displays for ArsenalCredit: PA
“At the moment she’s doing a really good job at Tottenham, we choose other players at this moment who we believe are better.”
England will face Japan on Friday 11 November before a duel with Norway on Tuesday 15 November.
Both matches will take place at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia in Spain. More

MILLIE BRIGHT and England are setting their sights on world domination after toppling the USA in a feisty friendly at Wembley.Lionesses vice-captain Bright, 29, reckons the Euros champions laid down a marker with their 2-1 victory over a team ranked the best on the planet.
Millie Bright and her England team-mates have gone 23 games unbeaten since Sarina Wiegman took charge last SeptemberCredit: Alamy
England hope to extend their unbeaten run when they play the Czech Republic at the AmexCredit: Alamy
Bright declared: “It’s all about the mentality of where we want to get to.
“We don’t want to stay at the level of the Euros, even though we were successful.
“We want to grow, be even better and dominate games even more than what we have done and really challenge ourselves.”
Lauren Hemp scored with a tap-in and Georgia Stanway netted a first-half spot-kick as Sarina Wiegman’s side extended their unbeaten run to 23 games
And they halted the Americans’ own 21-game unbeaten streak on Friday.
England can extend that to 24 matches without a loss when they take on the Czech Republic in a friendly at Brighton’s Amex Stadium on Tuesday night.
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Asked if beating the four-time World Cup winners was a statement win, Bright said: “Yes! That’s a tough US side at Wembley with an amazing crowd, we were always looking to send a message.
“But we focus on ourselves. We are always trying to better ourselves.
“Next year’s World Cup is a long way away and there’s plenty of time for us to work on things.
“Obviously, you want to win every game you play and there are lots of positives but there is also lots to work on, too.
“I don’t think people understand how difficult it is to come down from the Euros where we had such success.
“You’ve been on the highest of highs, then to go into club football and back into internationals. It’s harder than you might think.”
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But there is now an aura of invincibility about England.
Chelsea centre-back Bright added: “There were parts of our win over the US where we weren’t at our best.
“But, ultimately, we got the job done and in tournament football that’s what it’s about. For us, we want to get better.
“We are a completely different team to when they beat us in the World Cup semi-final in 2019.
“We are under different management and, as a country, we are in a different place.
“We have a different mentality off the back of the summer. But we still know the journey we want to take and where we want to go.”
There’s not a minute on the pitch where we sit and worry and don’t appreciate the game plan. We trust the process and what Sarina is doing with usBeth Mead
Hemp lined up as a striker at Wembley, a position she has not played in since her spell at Bristol City in 2018-2019.
Wiegman turned to the pacy Manchester City winger, 22, with Ellen White now retired and Manchester United striker Alessia Russo forced to pull out of the squad with an injury.
And Hemp joked that she did not know what she was doing as a No 9 — despite giving her side the lead with a neat clinical finish in only the tenth minute.
Lauren Hemp has netted 10 times in 31 senior appearances for the Lionesses including a strike in their 2-1 defeat of the USACredit: Getty
Hemp said: “It’s something new for me and something I haven’t done since I played at Bristol.
“I think most of the time I don’t know what I’m doing but I really enjoyed it.
“Wherever you put me on the pitch, I’m going to give it a good go.
“I really enjoyed running behind and holding play here and there. It was a nice experience.”
Arsenal’s Beth Mead says England’s World Cup challenge is all about the players “trusting the process” under Wiegman following their summer success.
The England Women’s Player of the Year, 27, said: “You’ve seen how much we’ve grown and the character we show.
Beth Mead says England’s stars trust the process under their head coachCredit: Getty
“We really believe in each other as individuals, as a collective and as a team.
“There’s not a minute on the pitch where we sit and worry and don’t appreciate the game plan that we’ve got.
“We trust the process and what Sarina is doing with us.” More

CHLOE KELLY admits it is a “bit mad” being spotted by eager fans on the streets following her Euros final goalscoring heroics.The winger says England’s other leading figures can fill the gap left by Leah Williamson after injury forced the captain to withdraw from the squad.
Chloe Kelly could be in line to feature for England against the USA at Wembley on FridayCredit: PA
Kelly, who returned to international duty after missing England’s September games, is staying grounded in terms of talk of the team winning next year’s World Cup.
The forward, 24, could be in line for an appearance this Friday with the team facing the USA at Wembley followed by a duel with the Czech Republic at the Amex on Tuesday.
The Wembley fixture could see Kelly get some international minutes for the first time since scoring the winner that led to a Euros trophy win for the Lionesses.
Of her encounter with supporters on the streets since that triumph, Kelly said: “I am just a normal girl and to be noticed in the street a little bit more is a bit crazy.
“One day I was going to meet the girls at Manchester City and a car pulled up of loads of girls and started shouting my name.
“So, I am there waving, thinking it was the City girls, and then I was like – I don’t know any of these people!
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“I was just walking down to the city of Manchester, and I was like, wait, this is weird.
“I am enjoying the moment, but it is about performing on the pitch.
“I want to improve and keep learning because once you taste the winning feeling, it just makes it even more exciting to win more.
“Of course, the goal (at Wembley in the Euros) will always stick in people’s minds.
“I want to be living that moment for the rest of my life, but also many of these good moments as well (in the future).
“I think it just makes me excited to learn and be better.”
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On Friday Sarina Wiegman’s side will pit their wits against a US team ranked the No.1 in the world
Like the Lionesses, Vlatko Andonovski’s stars are regarded as being among the favourites to win the World Cup next year.
Since March 2017 England have triumphed once in their last five duels with their opponents registering three wins and a draw.
The USA’s victories include a semi-final knockout of Lionesses at the 2019 World Cup and a 2-0 SheBelieves Cup win in March 2020 during former England boss Phil Neville’s tenure.
On the threat, the USA will pose to England, Kelly added: “All oppositions bring a different challenge, and we have to be ready for the challenge, but we have so much quality in our squad.
The Lionesses’ clash with the USA will see the team test themselves against one of the favourites to win the 2023 World CupCredit: Getty
“I’m excited to see everyone out there again, but it’s not about getting carried away.
“There are so many months until the tournament next summer.
“It’s about learning in these moments and really learning as the year goes on and peaking when it matters.
The Lionesses will face their opponents without the services of Williamson, 25, with the England defender sustaining an injury during a training session on Tuesday.
England will face the USA without captain Leah Williamson with the centre-back returning to Arsenal after sustaining an injury in trainingCredit: Reuters
Kelly added: “Leah’s a great leader and of course, we’ll miss her.
“We have such great depth in our squad and such great strength in our squad.
“There are so many great leaders with experience so it’s all about coming together in these moments when you do lose a player like her.” More

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