Wiegman dismisses 'noise' around Lionesses squad

England head coach Sarina Wiegman 'really excited' by her Euro 2025 side despite much-publicised loss of senior trio

- RICHARD JOLLY

Sarina Wiegman has laughed off the idea that defending champions England are going into Euro 2025 in crisis after the loss of the experienced trio of Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Fran Kirby.

Bright, who captained England in the 2023 World Cup final, made herself unavailable for this summer’s tournament in Switzerland to look after her physical and mental health, and she revealed she had undergone minor knee surgery yesterday.

Earps, who saved a penalty in the World Cup final and was named in the team of the tournament for Euro 2022, retired from international football after learning that Hannah Hampton would be first-choice goalkeeper while Kirby ended her own England career after manager Wiegman told her she would not be in this summer’s squad.

England also lost Tottenham defender Ella Morris with a cruciate ligament injury, but Wiegman insisted she is pleased with the group she has selected as she rebuffed talk of trouble in the camp.

“We are going with this 23 to the Euros and I feel very comfortable with this team,” Wiegman said. “I am very happy with the team and I am very excited, and I am looking forward to it. For me, it doesn’t feel like a crisis at all.