In less than 24 hours, Sarina Wiegman will announce the 23 players to announce the English euro defense this summer. Three names that are certainly not mentioned: Mary Earps, Fran Kirby and Millie Bright.
The story on the eve of Wiegman's third big tournament that is in charge, which starts in four weeks, is now unlikely that it will be dominated by who the team makes, but rather by whom is absent.
Within eight short days, the lionesses have lost a combined 218 international caps.
It is less than perfect preparation for Wiegman, a coach who is so obsessed with detail and methodical thinking that she is sleeping with a notebook and pen on her bedside table, ready to note the next tactical wave of brain at any time.
And this summer, many more outside-the-box will require ideas.
Earps, Bright and Kirby started every match at Euro 2022. In many ways they were the heartbeat of that title -winning team. The enigmatic keeper, fierce and commander. The challenging defender, willing to kick and lead everything. And the playmaker, who brings class and creativity for every attack.
Nobody has the same way to replace, nor their experience imitable-England certainly has a shortage of the leadership department.
Of course, each case deserves individual research. The Earps Bombshell surprised everyone last week, a shock notion outside the fair dialogue with Wiegman about starting selection. Earps was not offered the NO 1 -shirt that she felt that she deserved and her decision to stand against that background has received criticism.
Hannah Hampton, the successor of EARPs between the sticks, has a lot to offer and is a domestic Treble winner at Chelsea, but she has no big tournament experience -a clear risk. Similarly, no other defender does not have the presence or physicality of Bright, and the intelligence of Kirby does not move forward.
This will undoubtedly be England considerably weaker without such a formidable trio. And analyzing the mysterious timing will inevitably lead to wider questions. In the case of Bright, the decision to arrange itself out of the battle feels, brave and just brave. “At the moment I can't give 100 percent mentally or physically,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
Bright, who supplied England to the World Cup final in 2023, played 3704 minutes of football in all competitions this season, which amounts to around 41 games. On a podcast with former England teammate Rachel Daly last week, she revealed that she was “on her limits”.
The compelling feeling will be a disappointment that Wiegman will not be able to invoke her oldest central defender in Switzerland, but with the same amount of compassion for a person who has routinely advocated the importance of prioritizing mental health.
But it is also true that it leaves a perilous situation.
The Dutch woman is a pragmatic thinker praised for transparency and decisiveness, but you cannot help to express the concern of all this disruption on the master plan about the impact of all this disruption. There is an element of shock to be processed and justified. And what is the lasting effect after that?
It is clear that the attention on Hampton this summer has been strengthened ten times. Her representatives have no senior cap between them, nor much big game experience. Every glimpse of indecision or hesitation will be performed, and England hardly has a forgiving group, including France, the Netherlands and a home country that corresponds to Wales.
And then there is the disturbing effect that these recordings have on others around them. Leah Williamson's ball playing thrives when she is anchored by Bright, and she is perhaps less comfortable to use her best weapon without the right cover. Alex Greenwood, also gifted, probably does not replace so well.
The shortcomings of the Williamson-Greenwood partnership were recently exposed by Claudia Pina from Spain this week.
Midfield is also a mystery. England has no shortage of talent in that area, and yet no player can keep an eye on a pass like Kirby, despite her international heyday behind her.
Ella Toone, and relatively new duo Grace Clinton and Jess Park all have the technical ability to get into the No. 10 -vacuum, but connections take time – something that is missing Wiegman.
Beyond the days that England arrives in tournaments are only to participate. No more prizes to participate. There is a massive expectation to make finals and win silverware. As holders, the lionesses also have a reputation to maintain.
For that you already need your best players and all your greatest personalities in the camp. England has been left without different of them.
What for the Lionesses?
All Kick-Offs UK Time (BST)
June 29: Jamaica (H), friendly in King Power Stadium, kick -off 5 pm
July 5: France (s), Women's Euro 2025 Group Stage, kick -off at 8 p.m.
July 9: The Netherlands (s), Ladies Euro 2025 Group Stage, kick -off 5 pm
July 13: Wales (s), Women's Euro 2025 Group Stage, kick -off 8 p.m.