Women’s National League

SARINA WIEGMAN admitted to being “disappointed and sad” by Mary Earps calling time on her England career. And Leah Williamson revealed she was devastated, describing the former Lioness’s retirement as a huge loss for the team.England skipper Leah Williamson and head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed their sadness concerning Mary Earps’ international retirementCredit: PAWiegman is disappointed that Earps had called time on her England career and says she still wished the former Lionesses goalkeeper was part of her teamCredit: ReutersWilliamson, who together with Earps helped England win the 2022 Euros, described the goalkeeper as her “best friend in football”Credit: AlamyYesterday Wiegman and her captain publicly shared their thoughts in their first press conference in the wake of Earps’ bombshell announcement. Four days ago (May 26) the FA stated the Euros-winning shot stopper had decided to end run as an England player. And the Paris Saint-Germain ace, 32, also shared her career update via her Instagram account. Earps standing down from international duty five weeks before this year’s Euros, means the tournament’s reigning champions will defend their title without their most experienced goalkeeper.Read More Football StoriesHead coach Wiegman is due announce which players have made it into her squad for this year’s Euros in Switzerland on June 5. The Lioness boss, who still wants Earps as part of her squad, said: “I’m really disappointed and sad that she’s not part of the team because I want her in my team. “That (retirement decision) must have been a really hard decision for her and so it is for us. “There have been a couple of conversations which I don’t want to share publicly because that’s between us and it’s hard for her at the same time.”Most read in FootballEarps, who has 53 senior international caps, started in all six games during England’s run to becoming European Champions three years ago. In Australia in 2023, she played a significant role in England reaching the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history, Her performance in all seven games would see her win the tournament’s Golden Glove before later being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. During the contest’s final Earps produced a dramatic penalty save against Spain keeping out Jenni Hermoso’s spot-kick before her team fell to a 1-0 loss. However since last October the former Man United player has faced a battle to start with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton. The Blues stopper started in five of England’s last eight international games. Williamson, 26, who skippered the team during the 2022 Euros, said: “I’m devastated (by her England retirement) because I love her and love being her teammate.”Mary is one of my closest friends in football. “We have an extra pair of shoes to fill and also in a number of different areas. “I’m sure the team will be ready for all those eventualities.”Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Sarina Wiegman had told Earps that she would not be her No1 keeper for this year’s Euros. And The Guardian reports Earps, had in April, informed the England boss that she was thinking of retiring. However Wiegman remained tight-lipped on the exact details of her conversation with Earps. The Lioness chief said: “I am in conversations with players all the time. “I don’t give any information about these private conversations we have.  “Hannah Hampton is now the number one. “Before that she was a little bit ahead but at moments you can’t look too far forward because you don’t know what things will happen. “Things in football can change very quickly.”England, who face Portugal at Wembley tomorrow and Spain away in the Nations League next Tuesday, have been hit by fitness issues. Aside from Ella Morris, 22, rupturing a knee ligament, Alessia Russo, 26, and Ella Toone, 25, will both miss tomorrow’s 7:45pm clash due to calf concerns.  And vice-captain Millie Bright, 31, withdrew from England’s camp earlier this week with Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy called up in her absence. On the Daly Brightness podcast she hosts with ex-Lioness team-mate Rachel Daly, the 88-capped centre-back explained she was at her limit “physically and mentally”. This term the Chelsea skipper led the Blues on a treble-winning trophy charge, lifting the FA and Women’s League Cups and claiming an eighth WSL title. Of her withdrawal from this month’s England camp Bright said: “That is a really hard decision. “But I think you know better than anyone as well – sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself.”You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.”England will face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League without the services of Millie Bright with the Lioness vice-keeper withdrawing from their May campCredit: GettyBright’s England team-mate Williamson added: “That decision for Millie herself to say, ‘I need to take a break’ and to speak out about mental health is a brave thing to do.Read More on The Sun”She’s leading by example and I’ve personally given Millie a bit of space. “Naturally any support that she needs and anything that she needs from the team, we’ll be there to give it to her.” More

ENGLAND’S Ella Morris has had her Euros selection hopes shattered by a serious knee injury.The uncapped Lionesses defender, 22, ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during a training session. Ella Morris will miss England’s three remaining games ahead of the start of the Women’s Euros on July 2 after sustaining an ACL injuryCredit: GettyThe rising Tottenham star has returned to her club to begin working on her recovery weeks after receiving her first senior England call-upCredit: GettyThe injury to the Tottenham player, sustained five weeks before the July 2nd start of the Euros, means she will miss England’s bid to remain the tournament’s champions. Morris, who has returned to her club, will also miss the Lionesses’ Women’s Nations League clashes with Portugal tomorrow and Spain next Tuesday (June 3).The ex-Southampton player, who received her first senior international call-up this month,  has ruptured a knee ligament before at the age of 17. In a post published on her Instagram page, she wrote: “From the highest high to the lowest low.Read More Football Stories”Devastated doesn’t even come close. So grateful for the incredible people around me. ACL round 2 – let’s go.”Earlier today Lionesses support staff said they maintain close contact with the player as she works on her recovery. A statement from the FA said: “Everyone involved with the Lionesses wishes Ella the very best with her recovery.”England’s support team will remain in close contact with her and the club.”Most read in FootballLaura Blindkilde Brown has been called up to Sarina Wiegman’s England squad before their Nations League clashes with Portugal and SpainCredit: GettyFollowing Morris’s injury Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown, 21, has received her third senior call-upThe midfielder has joined Sarina Wiegman’s 26-player squad at St George’s Park as a replacement for Morris.Wiegman and her players will travel to London tomorrow ahead of their 7:45pm clash with Portugal at Wembley on May 30. More

ENGLAND have revealed the new kits to be worn by the Lionesses at this year’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July. The new home shirt, designed by Nike, pays homage to the pioneers who played for the national side in the seventies and eighties. Nike have unveiled the kits Lioness stars are set to wear when they compete in the Women’s Euros in JulyThe new kit which resembles the famous 1982 England shirt will also be worn by the Lionesses during their Nations League clashes with Portugal and SpainKerry Davis, Anita Asante, Michelle Agyemang and Lucy Bronze are among the past and present Lioness heroines featured in a video launching England’s new kitAmong the past and present Lionesses featured in a promo video unveiling the new home and away kits is skipper Leah Williamson and retired defender Anita Asante.Strikers Alessia Russo and Michelle Agyemang also star as well as Kerry Davis, the first black footballer to play for the team.  Seconds into the footage the former forward, who played her first senior England game in 1982, can be seen posing in the home jersey. The shirt, which is white, features blue and red horizontal colour shifts. Read More Football StoriesIt incorporates the traditional three lions crest and also bears a little resemblance to the one worn by England’s men’s team during the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Inspired by a concept described by Nike as ‘deeds not words’ England’s new kit pays tribute to the Lionesses’ iconic victories. This includes their 2022 Euros final triumph at Wembley when Sarina Wiegman’s side sealed a dramatic 2-1 win against Germany . The team is also set to play in blue shorts at this year’s tournament. Most read in SportAnd goalkeeper shirts donned by Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton are light green in colour with a dark green round neck trim. England’s away kit includes a sleek black shirt with a blue three lions crest on the left shoulder and a Nike swoosh on the right. It also includes shades of red, purple and blue on its side gusset. Sarina Wiegman’s players are due to play Jamaica in a friendly in June in their final home fixture before the start of the Women’s Euros in JulyCredit: GettyAccording to Nike both strips have been manufactured using a system designed to move sweat away from the skin for faster evaporation.England’s kits are set to debut when the Lionesses take on Portugal at Wembley and Spain in Barcelona in the Women’s Nations League The games will take place on May 30 and June 3, just over a month ahead of England’s Euros opener against France on July 5. More

SARINA WIEGMAN hopes to have an England selection headache from Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood returning to fitness.The Lioness boss, 55, reckons Hemp has built enough credit to be in contention despite the forward yet to play a full 90 minutes this year. Georgia Stanway has given England a huge fitness boost two months before the Euros with her recovery from a knee ligament issueCredit: AlamyLauren Hemp has been named in Sarina Wiegman England’s squad for the first time this year following her return to match action for Man City in AprilCredit: GettyHemp’s City team-mate and skipper Alex Greenwood is also back in the Lionesses’ squad ahead of their Nations League games against Spain and PortugalCredit: ReutersThe squad returns of Hemp, 24, Stanway, 26, and Greenwood, 31, comes at a pivotal time with the start of England’s Euros title defence less than two months away. Before then the team will take on Portugal in the Nations League at Wembley on May 30. And they also face a stern test against World Cup holders Spain in Barcelona on June 3. Wiegman’s fit again trio had contended with knee injuries with Hemp and defender Greenwood making their returns to match action for Manchester City earlier this month. Read More Football StoriesBayern Munich midfielder Stanway is the only member of the three yet to return to club duty since recovering from a lateral ligament tear sustained in January. Wiegman said: “Georgia is in training. She still needs to build. “What we know is she can come into camp and continue building with us.”Hopefully towards the Euros she can be healthy and can handle the training loads to recover. Most read in Football”She has to be healthy and recover from training sessions then we can see where she’s at. “She has to be performing at the highest level – at her highest level – to compete for the position just like everyone else.”Hemp’s squad return comes 16 days after her first game for Man City this year. The 61-capped Lioness played in a competitive game for the first time this year on April 27 with a cameo appearance in City’s 1-0 defeat of Leicester. While Hemp did not play a full match  for City in the second half of the season, she could potentially be in line for game time at the World Sevens tournament if selected to play. Man City are one of two WSL sides competing in the seven-a-side contest taking place in Estoril, Portugal from May 21-23. On whether it is a concerned that Hemp has so far not played a 90-minute this year, Wiegman added: “Of course it is.”But we still have two months – almost. We have to keep building on that and manage it well to keep them fit. “We want to keep building and see what she is able to do. “She has to perform at her highest level too, but she has shown so many things before her injury that she has built some credit.”When everyone is fit we have big decisions to make because we have many options up front and within the team in other lines we have options too. “I hope everyone does really well and it’s really nice to have this opportunity to train before the Nations League. “I hope I’ll get a lot of headaches because that means everyone is performing at the highest level and we’ll have decisions to make.”Wiegman, 55, is waiting to see how far Lauren James, 23, can go in her fitness race, before the Euros with the forward battling to recover from injury. I know Lauren is absolutely working really hard to get there. Let’s see how far she gets.Sarina Wiegman on Lauren JamesIn their upcoming clashes with Portugal and Spain the team will be without the services of James who was among England’s standout performers at the 2023 World Cup. The Chelsea star came off during England’s 5-0 Nations League trouncing of Belgium due to a hamstring concern. Wiegman said: “She’s a special player who has moments in the game where she can be decisive. “Let’s see how far she gets and what she can bring us. I know she’s absolutely working really hard to get there.”Wiegman’s latest squad selection has included Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang, 19, keeping her place and a first senior call-up for Tottenham defender Ella Morris.Agyemang’s return follows her netting a stunning goal on her senior international debut volleying home during the Lionesses’ 3-2 away loss to BelgiumWhile the England boss hopes the striker can become a little bit calmer in duels, she believes Agyemang has much potential. Wiegman said: “Michelle is a very high-potential talent. “She is very powerful and as we have seen, she can score goals. Michelle Agyemang has retained her England spot after impressing on her senior international debut and on loan at Brighton from Arsenal this seasonCredit: Reuters”In duels she needs to calm down a little and we’ve spoken about that already. Read More on The Sun”Hopefully she can manage a bit when we play in the duels. “You don’t want to almost destroy your opponent.”England Women’s Squad GoalkeepersMary Earps (Paris St-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)DefendersMillie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Ella Morris (Tottenham), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)MidfieldersGrace Clinton (Manchester United), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)Forwards Michelle Agyemang (Brighton, on loan from Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, on loan from Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Arsenal) More

SARINA WIEGMAN has challenged England to show their rivals how much better they have become three months before their Euros title defence. The Lioness chief wants her players to avenge a Nations League away loss they suffered against Belgium almost two years ago. Sarina Wiegman and her England players hope to consign Belgium to back-to-back defeats in the Nations League this yearCredit: GettyThe Lionesses are currently unbeaten in the contest and hope to maintain their winning form in the run-up to this year’s EurosCredit: GettyForwards Michelle Agyemang (right) and Jess Naz joined the camp following Alessia Russo’s and Lauren James’s withdrawals due to injuryCredit: GettyOn Tuesday Wiegman’s players will take on the Red Flames at Den Dreef Stadium in a bid to claim back-to-back wins agains their opponents. They also aim to register a third victory from four Nations League group stage game so far this year.  The last time the reigning Euros champions faced their rivals at the ground in the Belgian city of Leuven was back in October 2023. Wiegman, who had guided England to a World Cup final two months earlier, which her team narrowly lost to Spain, reckons her players were “struggling” with their levels back then. Read More Football StoriesBut since the start of this year the Lionesses have gone unbeaten in the Nations League and aim to remain top of their group. Aside from trouncing Belgium 5-0 in Bristol last Friday, world champions Spain were consigned to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley in February. Of her team’s loss to the Red Flames in 2023, the England boss said: “How I experienced that game is that we didn’t play our best.”It was off the back of the World Cup so we were struggling with our levels a bit. Most read in Football”How I see this game is that we kind of want to get revenge on ourselves. “We really want to show we are better than we were then and we can do a lot better.”Tomorrow’s match could see England starlet Michelle Agyemang named on the bench after helping the young Lionesses qualify for this year’s Women’s Under-19s Euros. The Arsenal striker, on loan at Brighton this term, received her first senior call-up, following an injury to club colleague Alessia Russo.During this international window Agyemang played an influential role in helping England’s Under-19s qualify for the European Championship for their age group.  The Seagulls loan ace helped the young Lionesses top their group by scoring during their 5-1 triumph over Austria in the qualifiers on April 5. At club level she has made 14 top-flight appearances off the bench this season and helping Albion climb to fifth in the WSL.With Russo crocked and Lauren James and Chloe Kelly’s withdrawals due to hamstring and foot concerns, Beth Mead is likely to start again for England against Belgium. The Arsenal forward, who was absent from England’s February camp due to injury, provided an assist during their 5-0 win against Belgium last time out. And Niamh Charles reckons Mead is among England’s most influential figures when it comes to helping younger players such as Agyemang who are rising through the international ranksThe Lioness full-back told reporters: “Beth is good at helping the younger players to come out of their shells.Beth Mead is likely to feature in England’s starting line-up against Belgium in LeuvenCredit: Getty”We’re lucky she’s back and she is one of the senior players.Read More on The Sun”We have a few of them that have been to many, many tournaments.”And I think you can see in the dressing room when we bring the younger ones in, how they help them to feel comfortable.” More

SARINA WIEGMAN hailed Keira Walsh for breaking her England goal duck after the Lionesses thrashed Belgium on Friday night.  The Chelsea ace lashed a shot from distance on her 83rd senior appearance with the visitors falling to a 5-0 defeat in Bristol in the Nations League. Keira Walsh opened her England goals account with a superb strike following a foul on team-mate Jess ParkCredit: PAWalsh’s team-mates Millie Bright and Aggie Beever-Jones also netted with Beever scoring her first senior England goalCredit: GettyAlong with Beth Mead, Lauren James also impressed in England’s attack with both forwards registering assistsCredit: AlamyHer club and country pals Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze and Aggie Beever-Jones were also on target during the convincing victory at Ashton Gate.The win saw the hosts remain top of group three in League A with Spain second following their 3-2 toppling of Portugal.  It also saw them fire another warning to their Euros rivals with the European champions hoping to retain their title when this year’s tournament begins in July in Switzerland. Of her first England goal and the team’s performance, Walsh told ITV Sport: “It took a big deflection but a goal is a goal. Read More Football Stories“All the girls are super happy for me which is a really nice feeling. “I finally got one in the end. A few of them like to remind me how long it’s taken me but I’m over the moon and it’s really good to be off the mark.Following her side’s second win in three Nations League outings this year, Wiegman mentioned her hope to see Walsh have more attempts on goal. The England boss added: “I was very happy for her because we want her to shoot more. Most read in Football“She has a very good shot and we want her to get higher up the pitch which she did. “Now we are joking, it’s our own-goal! But it’s her goal so I’m very happy for her.”Wiegman’s side were without the services of Chloe Kelly with the in-form forward joining her national team’s list of crocked stars. On Thursday the England boss revealed Fran Kirby and Kelly would miss last night’s game due to niggles. And less than two hours before kick-off it was announced Kelly would be returning to her Arsenal, where she is loan from Manchester City for treatment on a foot injury  This means Kelly will also miss England’s away duel with Belgium on Tuesday.  And the Gunners are likely to be sweating on her fitness before their mammoth Champions League first-leg semis clash with Lyon on April 27.  With Kelly absent Wiegman turned to fit-again Beth Mead who played in a front three with striker Alessia Russo and Lauren James. England began brightly causing problems with their threat from set-pieces Forward James was among the players who impressed with few of her crosses into the box wreaking havoc. Her fine lofted delivery found Bronze in the box with the right-back, making her 130th appearance,, glancing a 21st-minute header beyond Belgium keeper Nicky Evrard.Belgium were undone again by another dangerous delivery to a Chelsea and England player.This time centre-back Bright was there to bundle the ball home on the stroke of half-time. The visitors shuffled their deck in the second-half in the hope of upping their game in midfield with Feli Delacauw replacing Kassandra Missipo. And the Belgian midfielder had a strike deflected onto the roof of the net in the 66th minute. Sarina Wiegman will targeting another victory when England visit Belgium in Leuven on April 8 for their second Nations League clash with them this monthCredit: ReutersHowever any hope of the visitors trying to get anything from this game were blown away by cameo appearances from two rising Lionesses stars. Read More on The Sun Beever-Jones made it 3-0 with Mead laying the ball for her to tap in her first senior England goal with 23 minutes of normal time remaining. And Jess Park made it 4-0 soon after with a slotted finish before Walsh’s thumped shot from distance rounded off the rout. More

CHLOE KELLY is not thinking “too much” about her club future despite the Arsenal loan star’s contract with Manchester City expiring in June. Instead her focus is on being in the best place “mentally and physically” with the Gunners and Lionesses vying for major honours.Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead could be in line to start for England when they play Belgium in the Nations League on April 4Kelly’s recent form on loan for Arsenal led to her earning an England recall ahead of the team’s clashes with Belgium this monthKelly and England striker Alessia Russo shone for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarters with the Gunners due to take on Lyon in the semi-finalsSince her January return to Arsenal, where she began her pro career at 17, Kelly, 27, has flourished alongside England pals Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson. High points for the forward include delivering two class assists in a three-goal drubbing of Real Madrid with the team dumped out of the Champions League quarters. Efforts include her pinpoint cross for a shot drilled home by Gunners striker Russo.Like Russo, Mead and Williamson, Kelly is in the running to start against Belgium when England play their third Nations League game on Friday 4 April.Read More Football Stories This is a far cry from the first half of this term with Kelly making one start in six City WSL games and initially being left out of England’s squad in February. Two months after her tumultuous exit on loan from City, came a Lionesses recall for the forward who now plays “with a smile”. The 50-capped Lioness said:  “It’s really important as a human being that you get that smile on your face. “That’s nothing to do with being a footballer, it’s just as a human because that’s important. Most read in Football”I’m definitely smiling more, I feel really good.“Right now I’m playing plenty of minutes, enjoying my football and I’m really learning under (Arsenal boss) Renee (Slegers). “Now I’m here (with England) I have another opportunity to represent my country which is a huge honour.”There’s definitely more to come from me.”I’m a player who wants to learn and always wants to get better and I’m probably my own worst critic.”There are going to be games where I might not be my best, but it’s really important that I take that step to becoming the best version of myself.”With the July 5th start of England’s bid to retain their European Championship title fast approaching, questions have arisen concerning Kelly’s future beyond her Arsenal loan. However, the forward, who scored the Lionesses’ tournament-winning goal at Wembley three years ago is not looking too far ahead. Kelly adds: “I don’t think about it too much. I take each day as it comes and work hard to put myself in the best possible place for the next day.”That’s really important and I don’t look too far ahead in anything. “I’m just having fun at the minute, enjoying myself and back down in London with my family spending a lot of time with them. “I’m really appreciating the little things in life.”The first of England’s two Nations League duels with Belgium could see Kelly feature alongside Russo and forward Mead this Friday. The reverse fixture will take place in Leuven on Tuesday April 6The trio were last in action together on March 30 against Crystal Palace in the WSL, with Mead netting twice and Russo also scoring in the 4-0 Arsenal victory. Kelly said: “Growing that connection is really important and the connection off the pitch as well as on it.””By pushing myself every day I can learn what Alessia is doing and how I can match that to be at my best to help her score and Beth as well. “She’s a great friend of mine – Beth.England hope to beat Belgium home and away and stay undefeated in the Nations League as they continue preparations for this year’s Euros in SwitzerlandCredit: Getty”When you have that competition it allows you to be at your best every day.Read More on The Sun”And you can push each other in moments as well so that’s really important.”There’s so much we can learn from each other.” More