Sarina Wiegman says she won’t risk any of her players in the Women’s Nations League as she looks ahead to the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland.
The Lionesses face Spain in their final Nations League Group A3 game after thrashing Portugal 6-0 at Wembley on Friday.
And although a strong side is required to overcome the World Cup winners, Wiegman insists she won’t risk any players if they show signs of injury.
“If a player has little injury and would be a risk for the Euros then I wouldn’t play her, that’s the difference,” she said. “We are going to do everything to win that game.
“We want to perform and in February we had a tie with Portugal and a win against Spain. In April we had a good performance against Belgium. Tomorrow, Spain is a totally different game than what we had on Friday.
“Different opponents. We started really well against Portugal and it really helped we scored two goals in five minutes. Of course, we are aware Spain is the highest level imaginable.”
Lauren James missed out on a call-up through injury but Wiegman gave an update, saying: “We already said we’re trying together to get her fit.
“She’s trying to get fit with all the support from Chelsea and us. She is doing really well. She needs to tick some boxes and progress.
“We need her to be fit and healthy and perform at her highest level — I’m pretty sure that’ll work for us.”
Kelly ‘very happy and energetic’
Aggie Beever-Jones was the standout against Portugal by scoring a 30-minute hat-trick, but so too was Chloe Kelly, who scored after being on the pitch for just four minutes.
The Arsenal forward had struggled throughout the most recent Women’s Super League season, and found difficulty in getting minutes at Manchester City before her return to North London.
But under Renee Slegers, Kelly has flourished and has even won the Women’s Champions League which will certainly motivate her to fight for a place in Wiegman’s team in Switzerland this summer.
Kelly scored only four minutes after coming on against Portugal on Friday (Photo by Molly Darlington – The FA/Getty Images)
“The most of all is that she is very happy, very energetic,” said Wiegman. “Going to Arsenal having great performances I think she has improved again in possession and also out of possession.
“It’s enjoyable to watch her, she came on for us as a finisher [against Portugal] and straight did well again.
“I hope that continues as she is enjoying herself. She trains really well, with a smile on her face. Whether she is starting or coming from the bench, she is doing everything she can to get her performance at the highest level.”
There are plenty of positives to take from this England camp but one downside is the loss of Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton after she picked up an accumulation of yellow cards.
Wiegman understands the void that her absence will create but is forward-thinking in her approach to Tuesday’s game, where the winner, if there is one, will finish at the top of Group A3.
“It’s a disappointment,” said Wiegman. “It was an unlucky moment because she plays with a lot of intensity and is very aggressive.
“She can’t play tomorrow so that’s a fact, we are moving on with the team we have.”
The England manager spoke highly of her players ahead of the clash and gave positive updates on Ella Toone and Alessia Russo – who are both fit to start.
Wiegman is yet to pick her squad for the European Champions, which England will act as the tournament’s holders, and says that players trying to impress is “hard”.
She added: “You come close to squad selection. At the same time we want to win the game tomorrow — it’s preparation for the Euros.
“Short-term we are trying to win that game, a little longer-term is preparation for the Euros which is the bigger picture.”