The Lionesses are set to play a double-header this week in the EURO 2025 qualifiers. Sarina Wiegman’s squad will face France on home soil at St James Park on Friday and will travel to Saint-Étienne on Tuesday for the return fixture.
With huge competition to secure a place at the senior England camps, Wiegman’s squad is well-rounded and competitive. Ahead of the international break, here are five players to watch.
Aggie Beever-Jones
Only twenty years of age, the Chelsea forward received her first senior call-up for the Lionesses. On the back of her breakthrough season in the Women’s Super League, the youngster has caught the eye of head coach, Sarina Wiegman.
Although making the step from England U23s to the senior squad is a huge development, Beever-Jones’ clinical finish and maturity make her the perfect striker. In the first round of EURO 2025 qualifiers, she made her matchday debut for Wiegman’s side, but she is yet to step onto the field as a senior Lioness. Her senior debut is on the horizon, and she will be even more hungry for it after winning the WSL with Chelsea just a few weeks ago.
This season, she scored eleven goals in just seventeen matches; most of these came after being subbed on in the second half. With only 62 minutes per goal on the pitch, her stats prove her worthy of this call-up. Stating that very soon she will be a key player for her country, Chelsea coach, Emma Hayes recognised her talent and spoke only praise of her home-grown talent as the season drew to a close.
Millie Bright
With seven months away from the England camps, due to a knee injury, vice-Captain, Millie Bright makes her return to the squad. After such a long period on the sidelines, the Chelsea Captain will be determined to be back at her best for her country.
Bright stepped up as Captain during the 2023 UEFA Women’s World Cup. She is a true leader on and off the pitch, whose presence cannot be underestimated. As a member of Wiegman’s squad who became EURO 2022 champions on home soil, and Hayes’ WSL winning Chelsea side, Bright has certainly experienced the taste of success.
As a central defender, Bright is known as the brick wall of the team. Her strength and physicality make her a force to be reckoned with, causing problems for any attacking side. Finally returning to the St George’s Park, her return will boost England’s hopes of qualifying for the EURO 2025 and securing a top-of-the-table finish.
Lucy Bronze
Aged thirty-two, Lucy Bronze is an experienced member of the Lionesses squad. Upon the back of a successful month with Barcelona FC – winning both Liga F and the UEFA Women’s Champions League – she will be entering the international break in high spirits.
Over a decade ago, Bronze made her England debut, but her career is not finished yet. The wing-back is still a regular in Wiegman’s matchday squad due to her composure and dominance on the right-hand-side of the pitch.
Following her victories in recent weeks, Bronze is now being praised publicly for having achieved an incredible milestone; she has now won all possible domestic trophies in the English, French and Spanish leagues. Therefore, her experience and knowledge give her the edge and make her an easy choice for the Lionesses ahead France.
Grace Clinton
Another young player who experienced her breakthrough season in the WSL is Grace Clinton. Spending the year on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester United, there is no doubt she has made a huge impact of the success of the team.
Only twenty-one years old, Clinton won all three player of the season awards at Spurs; she made twenty appearances, scored four goals and achieved four assists. However, the youngster was key for head coach, Robert Vilahamn’s side both on and off the pitch. With their best ever WSL finish, and progression to the FA Cup final for the first time, the Lilywhite’s made history several times in 2024. Clinton played a pivotal role in these achievements.
On an international level, Clinton made her senior England debut in February. Starting on debut, she proved herself worthy by netting only nineteen minutes into the match. With a 7-2 win against Austria, fans were easily convinced that there is a bright future ahead of the youngster. In Wiegman’s words, ‘She plays like a natural’ and will be a key component of her tactical game ahead of the EURO 2025 qualifiers.
Ella Toone
Ella Toone is known for scoring goals on the big stage, and she is certainly not going to stop anytime soon. With her recent form, she is undoubtedly one to watch ahead of the Lionesses fixtures against France.
At the start of the month, Toone kickstarted Manchester United’s FA Cup victory with an impressive strike from outside the box to give them the lead. However, the midfielder has also shown her match-winning tendencies during international break. In the EURO 2022 final, Toone put the Lionesses ahead, setting them up for a tournament win against Germany.
Winning player of the month for her club in May, there is no doubt that Toone has recently been in excellent form. If she brings this to the international scene, there will be no stopping the United midfielder in the upcoming fixtures.
Written by Charlotte Davey
@charfootie
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