The boss of England Sarina Wiegman hinted that Chelsea striker Lauren James, who had set offside for almost three months with a hamstring injury, could start against France on Saturday when it starts his defense of the women’s European championship title.
James, who scored 28 goals since he scored her senior team debut in 2022, made a triumphant return of an injury in a 7-0 win over Jamaica in a friendly on Sunday.
«We’re not going to give you the line-up,» Wiegman said when he was asked about the possibility that James would start.
«(But) she played 30 minutes last week and she can play more than that. So I think that will say enough,» she added.
While Wiegman lost two veterans in recent weeks – defender Millie Bright withdrew her name and said she was not 100% fit, and goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her shock international pension after losing her starting spot – Wiegman was satisfied with how her team is on the eve of the opener.
«The team looks really good, I think we are ready, we had our last session this morning and everyone came through well,» she said.
«We have had a number of good weeks in which we are trained, we can do some tactics and I think we are very well prepared. You see the bond. We have worked very, very hard and I certainly think we are ready to go tomorrow,» she added.
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Wiegman puts its own remarkable impeccable record on the line on Stadium Leszigendgrund on Saturday. She never lost in 12 games at the European Championships and leads the Netherlands to victory in 2017 and then England in 2022.
Leah Williamson is back to Captain the Team after missing the World Cup 2023 with a torn front cruciate ligament.
«I probably kept some fear until now because I wanted to be here and I wanted to be with the team and wanted to experience another tournament for England,» said Williamson on Friday.
«I am very excited, but so much has changed, so I am intrigued to come back and enjoy the tournament keyball,» she added.
England does not have to face Stalwarts Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer in France on Saturday after Laurent Bonadei had left them off the team and sent shock waves around women’s football.
«I don’t have the context, I was not there in their bubble, but what I see (Renard) is an absolute legend, they have been (both) legends for France, they have been trail blazers, and they are still, although they are not there,» Wiegman said.
After France, England will play the Netherlands on Wednesday and then Wales on July 13 in his last game of the group stage
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