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      Football chiefs target second trophy triumph for Lionesses as part of new women’s game strategy

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      THE FA says a second major trophy win for the Lionesses is one of the top targets of its new women’s and girls’ game strategy. The four-year plan, announced today, comes just over two years on from England’s historic Euros triumph. The FA says helping England win a second major trophy as one of four strategic priorities in its new plans for the women’s gameCredit: ReutersFootball chiefs also hope help Lionesses youth teams succeed in international competition finalsCredit: GettyNext summer Sarina Wiegman’s players, who became the first England side to reach a Women’s World Cup final last year, will begin their quest to be crowned Euros champions once again. The Lionesses are one of nine sides who have automatically qualified for next year’s contest in Switzerland which starts on July 2. As part of its ‘Reaching Higher strategy’ the FA outlined achieving another major tournament triumph as one of four strategic priorities. Football chiefs also hope England can achieve World Cup glory in Brazil in 2027 after falling to a narrow 1-0 final loss to Spain in the last tournament in Australia last summer. Read More Football Stories And senior officials in the governing body insist meticulous preparations are being made to support the endeavours of Wiegman’s side. Kay Cossington, FA Women’s technical director said: “We talk about the top end of this. “We talk about how to look at the next four years for our senior team.”For 2025 with the Euros and for 2027 in preparation for the World Cup, our planning is absolutely meticulous.Most read in Football“It’s about understanding and recognising, for us in tournament football when we’re preparing for European Championships and World Cups, what’s really important. “What are the bits that we’re going to go after, and how do we effectively prepare putting 23 players in a squad in a tournament to perform.”That’s our job as a collective system. “How can we help players and staff to perform under the greatest amounts of pressure?”We have to be really, really clear and super explicit about what we do and what we don’t do, what’s going to make the boat go fast and what’s going to sink the boat, “Also the bits in between are what often cause the most amount of noise, the most amount of stress and sleepless nights.”The release of the FA’s new strategy comes hours ahead of the young Lionesses battling Spain for a place in semi-finals Women’s Under-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic.The match is due to be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and Fifa+ from 10:45pm this evening. The winners of the clash, which commences at 11:00pm UK time, at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo, will face North Korea this Sunday. And Cossington says the FA’s aim is to continue developing its “playing, coaching and operating curriculum” to support young players rising through the ranks to be able to perform on the biggest internationals stages. She adds: “Our blueprint for success is what we call a playing, coaching and operating curriculum on how we want to do things across all of our age groups. The FA says it wants to help prepare Lionesses coming through the ranks to be able to perform under pressure in a senior gameCredit: Getty”This is so that systematically, we are developing players’ readiness to be able to cope under the greatest amount of pressure in a senior team game.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Many of the senior Lionesses talk about the importance of tournament finals. “For the next four years for us, it’s important that we regularly get our teams to tournament finals.” More

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      Georgia Stanway wants England to take their game ‘to the next level’ following tough loss to Germany

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      GEORGIA STANWAY insists England need to step up their game following their heaviest loss under Sarina Wiegman.While the midfielder netted twice the Lionesses succumbed to a 4-3  friendly defeat to Germany on Friday, nine months before the 2025 Women’s Euros. Georgia Stanway believes tweaks may be needed for England following ahead of their upcoming friendly game against South AfricaCredit: PAThe Lioness midfielder netted two first-half goals during England’s 4-3 loss to Germany at WembleyCredit: AlamyThree of the goals conceded at Wembley during a tough opening 29 minutes were scored by two of Stanway’s Bayern team-mates – Guilia Gwinn and Klara Buhl.The clash ended with the reigning Euros champs, who face South Africa next, shipping four for the first time under Wiegman. It was also the first time England conceded four times at home since falling to a 6-4 defeat by Germany in Preston in 1997.Stanway, who scored a first-half brace, said: “My initial reaction was we just need to fix this and it doesn’t matter who was to score or what was going to happen.Read More Football Stories”Two Bayern girls had scored so I thought I needed to do something. “I need to fix something. I can’t have them bragging as soon as we get back to campus. “As soon as we got the penalty, we got the ball rolling and we were able to get some more chances. “It was a hectic game. Even coming in at half time with the score, it could have been 4-4.Most read in Football”Every nation is going to get better and better and having won the Euros, we’ve got a massive target on our backs.”England’s next friendly will be a duel with South Africa at Coventry’s CBS Arena on Tuesday evening. Their upcoming opponents suffered a hefty friendly loss on Friday, getting hammered 5-0 by Denmark. Stanway insists England have got things to learn ahead of the game against the 2022 Women’s Afcon champions. And Wiegman’s side will face far sterner tests when take on the USA and Switzerland on November 30 and December 3. The midfielder, who sealed a May 2022 Bayern switch from Man City, added: “We need to take our game to the next level and we can’t rest. “This international camp so far has been intense and the game itself (on Friday) was intense. “It showcases we’re not there yet and we’ve still got nine months (before the next Euros). England’s clash with South Africa on October will be followed by a friendly game against Emma Hayes’s USA stars on November 30Credit: Alamy”The main thing is that we’re trying to do the right things, but it’s not necessarily working.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Maybe it’s the little tweaks that are necessary, but we’ll review it. “We’ll have a few days to prepare for South Africa.” More

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      England boss Wiegman ready for a ‘physical and powerful test’ from Euros rivals Germany 

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      SARINA WIEGMAN wants England to avoid getting swept up in Euros glory nostalgia, when they face Germany for the first time since the 2022 final. This evening her Lionesses return to Wembley for a friendly against the side they beat to become European Champions. England hope to register a third match win against Germany under head coach Sarina WiegmanCredit: GettyThe Lionesses will play South Africa at the CBS Arena in their second friendly fixture this monthCredit: GettyBoth teams, who have qualified for next Euros and are ranked among the world’s top four sides, have undergone some changes since that 2-1 victory for Wiegman’s players. Aston Villa skipper Rachel Daly called time on her international career in April. The 84-capped Leeds-born striker, 32, who won the WSL’s Golden boot in the 2022-23 season, started in every single game for England at the last Euros. Meanwhile Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, 56, who guided Germany to the final, left her job as head coach by mutual consent last November. Read More Football StoriesHer departure followed their  shock exit from the Women’s World Cup group stage last July.The team will also be without the services of long-serving striker Alexandra Popp for tonight’s game which kicks off at 7:30pm,The prolific forward, who has scored 66 international goals, will play her 145th and final game for her country next month when they face Austria. And while Wiegman sees England’s Euros win against Voss-Tecklenburg’s former side as a moment to cherish, her sole focus is on preparation for next year’s contest. Most read in FootballThe Lionesses chief said: “It was one of the biggest moments of my career and of my life. We will always cherish that.”But moving forward it’s a totally different Germany team and we are a different team because we’ve moved on too. “It’s the start of [going into] the next Euros, next summer.”We always want to go faster but I think the game has increased, the level of the leagues in international football has increased and developed. “That’s what we want so that means we have to develop too.”England’s results have at times been mixed since reaching last year’s World Cup final in August where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Spain. Three of the six qualifiers that saw them secure their spot at next year’s Euros resulted in two draws and one defeat in addition to three wins. Wiegman expects to face a powerful and physical test from Germany who are now managed by head coach Christian Wuck. They have won four of their last six competitive games. She adds: “Germany have always been a powerful team, very physical and one that wants to play a possession game, but doesn’t hesitate to play long balls either”They have a new coach now, so they will probably do some other things too and that’s a challenge for us but a nice one.”Tonight’s game could see Wiegman contend with a central defender selection headache. While Leah Williamson missed Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat of West Ham last Sunday with her club wanting to manage her load, the England skipper is in the running to start for the Lionesses. Her fellow centre-backs Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood and Jesse Carter are all in solid form for their clubs Chelsea, Man City and Gotham FC.Wiegman said: “That is absolutely a headache because they’re all really good and really competing for minutes. “But these are absolutely the headaches I want to have and it’s a hard decision to make.”England’s first friendly fixture this season in the run-up to next year’s Euros follows a mixed start to the season for Williamson’s club side who are currently fifth in the WSL. The Gunners are currently on the hunt for a new women’s head coach following Jonas Eidevall resigning earlier this month. His departure followed the team picking up one win from their first four WSL games this term and suffering a 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich in their Champions League group stager opener And former Man City Women’s boss Nick Cushing has reportedly been linked with the vacant role. When ask if her confidence, ahead of England’s upcoming games, had been affected by Arsenal’s recent results, Lionesses skipper Williamson said: “There’s no difference in the confidence levels. “We are all footballers and deal with different scenarios. “Now we are here with England and it has been a consistent environment, at least for the last couple of years, so now we’re back and it’s nice.“It’s been a different start to the season. Leah Williamson insists her is on Euros preparationCredit: Getty“Results tell a story but I think (from) the work that I’ve seen going on, especially from my club and I can only speak for that. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But you can see again that the level of the whole world of football has gone up and everyone is enjoying that challenge.  “It’s a Euros year now. Everyone is focused.” More

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      Maya Le Tissier targets England squad spot ahead of Euros after ‘bittersweet’ World Cup experience

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      MAYA LE TISSIER has both bittersweet and happy memories of being on standby for Lionesses duty at last year’s World Cup in Australia. Now the WSL’s youngest centurion is determined to nail down an England squad spot at next year’s Euros. Maya Le Tissier hopes to feature for England when they play Germany in a friendly fixture on FridayCredit: GettyThe Lionesses’ duels with Germany and South Africa this month are part of their preparations for next year’s Euros in SwitzerlandCredit: GettyLe Tissier, who is Man United’s captain, has been capped four times to dateCredit: GettyA standout debut season at Manchester United, after a July 2022 move, resulted in Le Tissier joining Aston Villa’s Lucy Staniforth and Man City’s Jess Park on Sarina Wiegman’s standby list. The versatile defender, who joined from Brighton, helped United finish second in the league. While the WSL ace was not part of the 23-strong group that reached the World Cup final won by Spain, she played her part off the pitch helping team-mates prepare for the contest. Le Tissier, who has four caps, recalls: “When Sarina gave me the call to say I was on standby, it didn’t feel like it then but it was still a great achievement. Read More Football Stories”It was definitely difficult to take. It was bittersweet.”I loved Australia and being around the girls. They made it feel like I was part of the team. “I didn’t know what the vibe was going to be like to be there on standby, ready to go if someone got injured. “You don’t want anyone to get injured but you want to be at the World Cup, so it was really difficult. Most read in Football”Helping the girls prepare for a great tournament, I was really happy to play my part. “Hopefully next time I can play an even bigger part.”The next tournament opportunity for Le Tissier could come next July when England battle to retain their Euros crown following their 2022 triumph.Since their historic July 31 win against Germany, who they play on Friday at Wembley, Le Tissier’s career has gone from strength to strength. “I’ve been close but not in there so I would really like to cement my spot. That comes with performancesMaya Le TissierThe talented Guernsey-born defender, who was in the stands at the stadium watching Ella Toone score for the Lionesses that day, is now Man United’s captain. This follows establishing herself as a first-team regular and playing in all of the Red Devils’ top-flight games since joining the club. Le Tissier adds: “When Tooney scored that goal, I was like, ‘she’s going to be my team-mate!’”Toone always comes up in the big moments, you can always trust her. I was watching from the stands. It was really special.”Back in December 2018 Le Tissier made her Women’s Super League debut playing for Brighton against Chelsea. Back then the team were managed by former England boss Hope Powell. Last Saturday Le Tissier made her 100th WSL appearance when Marc Skinner’s United drew 1-1 with the Seagulls at the Amex. A result that left United third in the table before the international break and her old side sat fourth. Le Tissier said: “I actually didn’t even know that until after the game and then I saw a photo of me in a Brighton shirt and me in a United shirt. “I thought ‘that’s so weird that I’ve come back to the Amex and made my 100th appearance. “I feel very grateful to the coaches, to Hope (Powell), to Marc (Skinner). “They put their trust in me even when I was a kid and probably making too many mistakes. “But they trusted me to play in that position and to help the team. “I loved my time at Brighton and I love my time at United, it’s been really good for me so far. “There’s still a lot more I can bring and a lot more games for me to become a better player.”Having become a WSL centurion Le Tissier would love to do the same in an England shirt. The player who made her senior England debut in a friendly draw with Norway two years ago, last featured for the team in a Euros qualifier defeat of the Republic of Ireland in July.She hopes to get the chance to be part of the Lionesses squad battling for Euros glory in Switzerland next summer. Le Tissier adds: “Playing in a major tournament with England – that’s what we all dream of. “I’ve been so close, but still so far away and I definitely need to improve my game. “I will do everything I can this season to put myself there. Le Tissier hopes to experience playing in a major international tournament with some of her England team-mates who also play for Man UnitedCredit: Getty”It would be super special, especially if some of the United girls hopefully have a good season and get picked for England. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve been close but not in there so I would really like to cement my spot. That comes with performances.”I’ve played a lot of games now, so I don’t think there’s even a question about experience. I can definitely bring that.” More

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      Georgia Stanway opens up on meeting Thomas Tuchel and how tattoo artwork helps her on and off the pitch

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      GEORGIA STANWAY claims Thomas Tuchel is “really invested” in the women’s game having crossed paths with him at Bayern Munich. The Lioness star has fond memories of past interactions with the German coach who starts work as the Three Lions’ new boss in January.  Georgia Stanway says Thomas Tuchel showed a strong interest Bayern Munich’s women’s team during his time as head coach of their men’s sideCredit: GettyStanway believes top foreign coaches like Sarina Wiegman and Tuchel having an influence on English football is great for the gameCredit: ReutersTuchel is set to commence his role as the Three Lions new boss in January and is the first coach from Germany to be appointedCredit: ReutersStanway, 25, who is in line to start for England against Germany in a friendly at Wembley on Friday, was sharing her thoughts on Tuchel’s appointment as head coach of the two-time Euros finalists. Last Wednesday the ex-Bayern coach, 51, was confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s successor and is set to take over from interim boss Lee Carsley. His appointment comes five months after he confirmed his departure who he guided to the 2022-23 Bundesliga title.During his time there Stanway, who signed for Bayern’s women’s team in May 2022, recalls Tuchel showing a keen interest in women’s football. Read More Football Stories She said: “I had a few experiences with Tuchel at Bayern and he was really invested and really interested in the women’s game. “He and (his assistant Anthony) Barry wanted to get to know the players. “I’ve spoken with them a few times and they were really invested and really nice people. “They came to a few games and I saw them at a few events. They always had time for us.”Most read in FootballThe hiring of Tuchel as Southgate’s permanent successor sparked huge debate amongst pundits and commentators about coaches from overseas managing England. However Stanway, who moved to Germany following the Lionesses triumph at the 2022 Women’s Euros, has seen her career flourish under managers from different countries. Since winning the Euros with Sarina Wiegman’s England side two years ago, the midfielder has gone on to win two Women’s Bundesliga titles and was a Ballon d’Or nominee last year. When asked about foreign managers influencing English football, she added: “I think it’s great. England Lionesses star Chloe Kelly leaves little to imagination in daring outfit and branded ‘unreal’ at Glamour awards”I’ve got a Norwegian manager at Bayern ( Alexander Straus). “It’s about whoever is best for the job and whoever the people feel is suitable for the players.” On the criticism of the decision to have a foreign coach appointed as Three Lions boss, Stanway added: “Everyone is entitled to their opinions, I guess we have just got to see what happens?”England’s clash with Germany at Wembley comes two years and three months after the two foes went toe-to-toe at the stadium in the last Women’s Euros final.Both sides have qualified for next year’s tournament, which takes place in Switzerland with the Lionesses eyeing an historic back-to-back triumph. Should they seal another contest win Stanway, who is an avid tattoo artist in her spare time, hopes to have her team-mates queuing to have tattoo work done to mark the occasion. Away from the pitch the midfielder has been learning the art of tattooing under the guidance of a friend who owns a tattoo studio in Germany.The 71-capped Lioness said: “I got (a tattoo of) the time the final whistle went at the last Euros final. “But if we win another Euros, I hope I get a queue outside my bedroom door from the girls waiting (to get tattoos done). “When I moved to Germany, I wanted to start something new. “It was a new way for me to fully immerse myself into a new environment and to make friends outside of football. “The tattoo studio has really done that for me. “While I’m tattooing, the feeling is next level. I find it therapeutic, I find it stressful. “It’s fine details and those fine details are always important and they’re also important in football. “While I’m tattooing, nothing else matters. “It’s exactly the same when I’m on the pitch. Nothing else matters apart from focusing on what I’ve got to do.”Stanway and her England team-mates are due to play Germany on Friday in a friendly warm-up game ahead of next year’s EurosCredit: GettyEngland’s game against Germany ahead of their build-up to next year’s Euros in Switzerland, will see Stanway go up against some of her Germany international pals from Bayern. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd she believes the Euros finalists, whose players include Bayern aces Guilia Gwin Klara Buhl and Lea Schuller, will pose a threat. Stanway said: “Everybody poses an unbelievable threat, so I know I’ll be sat in the analysis room and Sarina will be questioning me about each player.” More

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      ‘It’s nice people are talking about us but we need to improve’, says Brighton’s Guro Bergsvand.

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      BRIGHTON being as entertaining as Barcelona would appeal to Albion centre-back Guro Bergsvand.Certain aspects of the Seagulls’ play have prompted comparisons between their approach and the Catalan giants’ playing style.Guro Bergsvand and her team-mates hope seal Brighton’s first win in the WSL against Manchester United since April 2021Credit: AlamyThe Seagulls have registered three wins from their first four WSL games this termCredit: AlamyManchester City boss Gareth Taylor, whose team beat Barcelona in a Champions League clash ten days ago, talked of both sides being similar in “trying to overload the midfield”. While Bergsvand, 30, takes that as a compliment, she thinks there is room for improvement for Dario Vidosic’s side who host Man United at the Amex today. She said: “It’s nice people are talking about us but we need to improve a bit more. “We want to play entertaining football. Read More Football Stories “That’s something that Dario has been saying and we want people to come and watch and enjoy watching us play. “Barcelona play entertaining football and that’s what we want to do”While Brighton lost the services of star striker Elisabeth Terland, who sealed a Red Devils free transfer in July, goals have not been too hard to come by. The permanent additions of trophy-winning forwards Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby and striker Keiko Seike, who won September’s WSL Player of the Month award, have helped boost the team’s attack. Most read in FootballLoan swoops for Arsenal and Barcelona starlets Michelle Agyemang and Bruna Vilamala have also contributed to 12 goals scored in five games in all contests with the team currently fourth. Underpinning recent results is the defensive graft of Bergsvand, her centre-back pal Maria Thorisdottir and full-backs Poppy Pattinson and Jorelyn Carabali. Two clean sheets in four league games and three wins have contributed to their best-ever start to a WSL season at this stage.A stark contrast to the struggles of the past two seasons with Albion at times dragged into scraps for top-flight survival before finishing eleventh and ninth.Bergsvand, who joined last January, from Norwegian side SK Brann, added: “It’s nicer to win than to lose. Hopefully, we’ll keep this going. “I’ve enjoyed the season so far but I know that things can change, that’s why it’s so important to be on top of your game and we want to improve. “This league is so competitive so you need to be on top, if not your rivals are going to beat you.”Bergsvand and Thorisdottir will need to be at the top of their game when they come face-to-face with their Norway pal and former Albion team-mate Terland. The ex-Seagulls striker, who has been likened to Erling Haaland by United boss Marc Skinner, visits her old side for the first time in the league since her Manchester move. And the Red Devils chief has backed Terland to display what he describes as a Terminator-style instinct in front of goal.Skinner said: “If you look at the way the Terminator would see in the movie, and it is like you’re narrowing down the angle. “That’s how I see Lizzie’s brain working because she’s so ruthless in those moments.”Bergsvand adds: “She is a good player, a good finisher and as a friend I want her to do well. “Hopefully she is not scoring his time, let’s just put it like that.Last term Terland finished as the WSL’s joint second-highest scorer with 13 goals in 22 games And last Sunday, she scored her first league goals in a Red Devils shirt netting twice against Tottenham. However, Vidosic, 37, believes his Norwegian defensive duo will be fully prepared for the test.The Brighton boss, who took charge of the Seagulls in July, said: “I think they’ll be very ready for Terland having played together, and knowing each other from being in the (same) national team.  “We have to be aware that she needs just one chance to score.”Brighton are winless in their last six games against Man United with their last victory occurring in April 2021. However, Bergsvand is hopeful she, Thorisdottir and their backline can shut out their visitors today. Elisabeth Terland will face Brighton for the first time in the league since her July move from the Seagulls to Man UnitedCredit: AlamyShe adds: “We’re happy with the three points and the clean sheet (at Crystal Palace last Sunday).READ MORE SUN STORIES“But we want to show at the Amex that we’re better than how we performed last weekend. “It’s going to be a big game, we’re playing a big team and it’s a different opponent. They will give us other challenges.” More

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      Renee Slegers insists focus is on West Ham as Arsenal target return to winning ways in WSL

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      RENEE SLEGERS describes herself as a coach who prefers to live in the moment. It is an approach she is taking when it comes to being in charge of Arsenal in the interim. Arsenal hope to return to winning ways in the WSL following a loss to ChelseaCredit: GettyTheir trip to West Ham with interim Gunners boss Renee Slegers follows a 4-1 win against Valerenga in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyThe stand-in Gunners boss insists the permanent job is not on her mind despite guiding the team out of a winless run in the top tier and Europe.Tomorrow Sunday Slegers will be at Arsenal’s helm again overseeing the team for the first time in a Women’s Super League duel.Their trip to West Ham follows the Netherlands-born coach manaing the Gunners in their 4-1 defeat of Valerenga in the Champions League following a loss to Bayern Munich. The match will be their first top-flight game since their former boss Jonas Eidevall resigned on October 15. Read More Football StoriesA draw and a loss from their last two WSL outings saw them drop to sixth and five points off leaders Man City. This weekend they hope to return to winning ways in the top tier ahead of their November 3rd trip to Manchester United after the international break. Slegers said: ”I like to be in the moment in life in general and that’s what’s needed at the moment.“It’s something we talked about with the players as well, can we be as much as possible in the here and now because that’s what we can impact.”Most read in FootballOn whether she knows if she intends to put herself forward for the permanent Arsenal head coach vacancy, Slegers added: “No, that’s not on my mind at all. “It’s a beautiful club and it’s a brilliant squad. We have all the facilities, all the resources, so it’s obviously a very good job to have. “I haven’t had time to reflect on myself that much during these past couple of days.“But I want to believe. I want the best for every individual, to have every individual show their biggest strength and to have the team play really good football. “I don’t think at the moment that’s what I want to deep-dive. At the moment it’s West Ham and to get the three points on Sunday. “I’m happy to be a part of it at this moment in time doing everything I can do to help the team more.”Sunday’s derby will see the Irons and the Gunners battling for maximum points. While West Ham are still chasing their first win in the top tier this term, Arsenal have fared slightly better away from home, narrowly beating Leicester 1-0 in September. The Gunners will be aiming to boost their goal tally having netted just once in their last two WSL games. The last WSL duel between West Ham and Arsenal ended as a 2-1 for Rehanne Skinner’s Irons in FebruaryCredit: GettyAnd Slegers hopes Alessia Russo scoring her first group stage Champions League goal this term will pave the way for more goals for the striker in the WSL this term.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe interim Arsenal chief added: “Alessia is really good at understanding it’s important to get yourself into good positions and then the goals will come and she scored on Wednesday.“That’s the main focus – to keep on getting our forwards in good positions to be able to get the ball into the back of the net.” More

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      Sarina Wiegman insists Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly has ‘built enough credit’ to keep her Lionesses spot

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      SARINA WIEGMAN says Chloe Kelly’s position in the Lionesses squad was not in doubt with the winger facing a battle to start for Manchester City. Today the forward, 26, was named in Wiegman’s 25-strong group before the team’s friendly duels with Germany and South Africa. Chloe Kelly has been included in Sarina Wiegman’s 25-strong squad for England’s two friendly games in OctoberCredit: ReutersSarina Wiegman says Kelly is in a “hard place” amid fierce competition for minutes in Man City’s attackCredit: GettyBut her club and country goalkeeper team-mate Khiara Keating has been left out following her inclusion in the squad that qualified for next year’s Euros.In July the reigning Euros champions secured automatic qualification for the tournament in Switzerland. They did so via a 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland and a 0-0 draw with Sweden. Kelly, who scored the winning goal for England in their Euros final defeat of Germany at Wembley two years ago, has faced a fight to start for City this season. Read More Football StoriesThe forward, who reportedly attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain this year, has made one start in her two top-flight appearances this term. City’s summer swoops for Japan ace Aoba Fushino along with the impressive form of Mary Fowler and Jess Park, has cranked up the battle for starting spots in Gareth Taylor’s side. They are top of the WSL and a point ahead of title rivals Chelsea and beat Barcelona 2-0 in the Champions League group stage on October 9.However, Wiegman insists Kelly, who has seven senior caps, has earned enough credit for national selection. Most read in FootballThe England boss, 54, said: “Chloe is in a hard position. There is huge competition going on there at the very highest level. “She’s competing for that too, not getting the minutes that of course she hopes for and we do. “But she built credit for us that she wasn’t in doubt for us to bring her in.”The Lionesses are due to face Germany at Wembley on October 25 for the first time since beating them there in the Women’s Euros finals in 2022. The match will be preceded by a special tribute to former England and Man City skipper Steph Houghton who retired at the end of last season. Wiegman’s side will also take on South Africa at the CBS Arena in Coventry four days later. Both matches will serve as warm-up preparations ahead of their attempt to win a second successive Euros trophy.The England chief added: “We’re really happy that we’ve qualified for the Euros because now we can play four friendlies this Autumn and have very good games. “Facing Germany, the USA, South Africa and Switzerland over two camps – that’s challenging, it’s really good and it will show us where we are. “With bringing in 25 players, we can see a few more players and how they relate to each other in our environment and training sessions. “But we can also try out some more things in the game and see different connections.”Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker has been recalled into England’s squad for the first time this year. However, City starlet Keating, 20, misses out. The shot-stopper, who won last year’s WSL Golden Glove,  is yet to start in the league this term. Wiegman wants Khiara Keating to get sharper and fitterCredit: GettyHer club pal Ayako Yamashita is currently preferred between the sticks having played four league games for City so far this season. READ MORE SUN STORIESWiegman adds: “We all know Khiara is a very talented goalkeeper. We want her to get fitter and sharper. “That’s the message she got and it’s better to do that in her own environment.” More