The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand begins in just four months, so what positions are available in the Lionesses’ squad?
This week, Sarina Wiegman’s team faces Brazil and Australia in the tournament’s final scheduled matches.
BBC Sport examines who might be in the running for spots because there is a lot of competition for them.
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Greenwood, yes, but there is competition at center back.
Wiegman has difficulty ignoring Rachel Daly as a center-forward option because of her offensive form for Aston Villa this season, which includes 13 goals and three assists in 17 games.
The flexible Euro 2022 champ has been utilized as a left-back all through most of Wiegman’s residency yet dazzled as a number nine in Britain’s Arnold Clark Cup triumph in February.
With Daly again named as a forward for April’s matches, it offers Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood one more opportunity to make certain about her spot as the beginning left-back for the World Cup.
Greenwood’s position appears to be unaffected by Daly’s continued use as a striker, but there are open spots in the team as a backup to Leah Williamson and Millie Bright’s regular pairing of center backs.
Lotte Wubben-Moy of Arsenal was initially left out of the squad for this month. However, she came in late to replace the injured Bright, and she will be eager to demonstrate to Wiegman why she should have been called up in the first place.
She was a popular member of the Euro 2022 squad and came off the bench to help Arsenal defeat Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals last week.
She faces, however, strong competition for a spot in the World Cup squad from Chelsea’s Jess Carter, Manchester United’s Maya le Tissier, and West Ham’s Lucy Parker, a defender with no previous experience.
Kirby questions open up midfield spot
Jordan Nobbs, a midfielder for Aston Villa, has struggled with injuries and has not played for England at a major tournament since 2017.
She suffered a knee injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prior to the 2019 World Cup, was not selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympics in 2021, and had knee problems again prior to the Euro 2022 tournament.
Nobbs, on the other hand, has battled her way back into the England team since joining Villa from Arsenal in January.
Due to the absence of Manchester United captain Katie Zelem from Thursday’s Finalissima match against Brazil, she is one of only five midfielders in the team. This is her second chance to shine.
Georgia Stanway of Bayern Munich and Keira Walsh of Barcelona are strong favorites to start in England’s midfield, making it difficult to break into the team.
But Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, who started every game last summer but hasn’t played since February due to injury, could be in line for a spot.
Ella Toone, a young Manchester United midfielder who has progressed from super-sub to starter in Kirby’s absence, will be difficult to leave out of the team, but Wiegman will value Nobbs’ extensive experience.
Daly is pushing Russo as the wingers compete.
The competition for a spot in England’s starting XI is fiercest in the attack, where England has world-class options.
In February, Wiegman said that she didn’t know her best team, but it’s unlikely that the defense or midfield will change a lot.
Contest has become further since their Euro 2022 triumph with striker Ellen White resigning and Ballon d’Or second place Beth Mead everything except precluded with an upper leg tendon injury.
As a result, it is likely that two of England’s three regular starters in the front line will leave during the World Cup.
Manchester City couple Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp are contending with Chelsea’s Lauren James for the winger positions – however Hemp and James can likewise both play halfway.
However, the question of who will be England’s number nine may be the most intriguing.
Alessia Russo of Manchester United was White’s backup last year. In six appearances as a substitute, she scored four goals to help her team win the title.
However, Daly’s form for Villa, her impressive attacks at the Arnold Clark Cup, and the fact that she started every Euro 2022 game may have helped her rise in the hierarchy.
Beth England, a Tottenham striker who has scored five goals in her last seven WSL games, has not even been called up this year due to England’s strong attack options.
