England's final international break of the year gave coach Sarina Wegmann a chance to trial her squad ahead of Euro 2025, and the result has certainly been positive.
They managed a 0-0 draw under the arch at Wembley Stadium against the USA on 30 November, putting in an improved defensive performance, but leaving much to be desired up front in the absence of Lauren Hemp and Lauren James.
The team then faced Switzerland at Sheffield United's Bramwall Lane on 3 December, winning 1–0. Wegman has been keen to experiment, naming a starting 11 heavily rotated as they prepare to defend their title as European champions next summer.
here 90 minutes Details about England’s performance during the final international break of the year…
The October international break saw the Lionesses struggle in the defensive third, with blunders resulting in the team conceding five goals in the two matches. Leah Williamson was particularly lackluster, and Wegman's decision to leave Alex Greenwood out of the squad to face Germany was heavily criticized.
But this time, the defensive displays reflected the England of old. After a turbulent series of injuries that saw her in and out of the Arsenal team, Williamson has certainly reclaimed her place at centre-back. The defender worked well alongside Jess Carter, with Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood both putting in impressive performances at full-back.
Wegman has great depth in defence, with players such as Esme Morgan, Maya Le Tissier, Gabby George, Millie Turner, Lottie and Ben Mooy vying for a starting spot. It's a positive problem, and a very welcome headache for the England coach as she looks forward to making team selections in the future.
The next generation of English talent is arriving, and Clinton is steering the ship. The Manchester United midfielder started for England against Switzerland and took just eight minutes to make an impact.
The 21-year-old made an instinctive run to head in Millie Turner's deflected header, putting the Lionesses ahead at Bramall Lane. The finishing may have been light work, but the placement was clever. Clinton plays with a maturity far beyond her years, controlling England's midfield with poise. Her instinctive hold of the ball makes it impossible to defend, and she always somehow manages to break away from a challenge with the ball firmly stuck to her feet.
England fans will be licking their lips at the talent that awaits this young team, after a strong display that saw Clinton combine well with Jess Park and Laura Blindkeled-Brown in the middle of the park.
Following recent criticism surrounding Wegman's lack of rotation, the manager has deployed a brand-new eleven players to face Switzerland.
Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde-Brown both made their England debuts, with Millie Turner and Aggie Beaver-Jones making their first-team debuts. Gabby George returns to the starting line-up, with Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park named among other young stars.
The performance was by no means spectacular, but that's to be expected when a team is in such high rotation. It's not going to go well, and the young talents need to spend more time together to develop chemistry on the field.
Wegman was particularly clear on this after the match when asked about the “lack of creativity” in the England national team.
“You can tell that for some players, for the first time they have to go through these moments, become more comfortable and everyone is different, so maybe some were a little more anxious than others, but that's okay,” she said.
Keira Walsh has long been known as England's midfield maestro, and for all the right reasons. The midfielder produced a generational display as the Lionesses won Euro 2022, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
While in and out of Barcelona's La Liga side, Walsh seemed to have lost her rhythm a bit, and the match against the United States showed that. Sam Coffey dictated the central third, leaving Walsh in the dust. This is not a call to her mind, but rather a close question as to whether she has enough competition to bring out the best in her.
England have no other option ready to play the defensive midfield role. Williamson can play there, but Wegman almost certainly won't go that route. Robbie Mays is an up and coming talent, but the 21-year-old still has a lot of work to do.
Leicester City's Robbie Mace and Manchester City's Laura Blindkeled-Brown both earned their first caps in England's win over Switzerland.
Mace has made a bright start to the 2024/25 season for the Foxes, earning well-deserved recognition from Wiegman for her efforts. Blindkilde Brown has learned from some of the best international footballers at Manchester City, earning her first call-up and debut for the Lionesses as a result.
Both of them showed glimpses of their abilities against Switzerland and played with clear tension. The midfield duo will need more time in the first group to ensure they are at the level required of them, but Tuesday night was a promising curtain raiser for what is to come.
If the international break has taught us anything, it is that Wegman has an incredible selection headache ahead of Euro 2025. The rotation in these two friendlies alone has proven that England are rich with talent in almost every area of the pitch.
If the youth group has given us anything to go by, it is that some of England's rising stars may have to wait a little longer for their debut at a major tournament.
The likes of Beever-Jones, Mace and Blindkilde Brown have had the opportunity to shine on this international holiday, but it hasn't come without a cost. Injuries have kept James, Hemp and Ella Toone all out of the England squad this time around, and it's hard to imagine they won't be on the plane to Switzerland next summer.
Wegman will be limited to just 23 players next summer, three of whom must be goalkeepers. With an abundance of players proving themselves worthy of a ticket to Euro 2025, we certainly don't envy Wegman's next task.
