England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed that Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has withdrawn from the squad due to knee discomfort. Arsenal defender Leah Williamson, who was substituted at half-time during the Conti Cup final, is in a good place ahead of England’s Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden, according to Wiegman. Williamson, who missed England’s World Cup campaign due to an ACL injury last summer, may play in Friday’s match, with Wiegman stating that she will be the captain if she does.
Wiegman appointed Williamson as captain before the European Championship in 2022, but in her absence, the captain’s armband was given to various players. Wiegman was previously unsure about Williamson resuming the captaincy, but in a recent press conference, she confirmed that if Williamson plays, she will be the captain. Wiegman emphasized the importance of managing Williamson’s minutes effectively and expressed her excitement at having the defender back in the squad. With England facing Sweden in their Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday and Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, they are looking to defend their European title.
Back in Euro 2022, England achieved a memorable 4-0 victory over Sweden in the semi-finals. While Wiegman acknowledged that the performance could serve as inspiration, she emphasized focusing on the present and the preparations for the upcoming matches. Unfortunately, Manchester City’s Khiara Keating will miss the qualifiers due to knee discomfort, with Southampton’s Kayla Rendell receiving her first senior call-up to replace Keating. England is preparing based on recent performances by Sweden and their own strategies for the matches.
In addition to Wiegman’s updates on the squad and upcoming qualifiers, there were discussions around the responsibilities of the captaincy within the England team. The decision to hand the armband back to Williamson, if she plays, reflects Wiegman’s vision for the team’s leadership structure. This decision highlights the importance of key players like Williamson in the squad and their role in driving the team forward. Wiegman also confirmed the call-up of Kayla Rendell and emphasized the readiness of the team for the challenges ahead.
As England gears up for their Euro 2025 qualifiers, the focus is on preparing the team to defend their European title. Wiegman’s management of Williamson’s return to the squad and the confirmation of her potential captaincy demonstrates the team’s commitment to success. With Keating’s absence, the team will rely on Rendell to fill the gap and contribute to the squad’s performance. The upcoming matches against Sweden and Republic of Ireland present an opportunity for England to showcase their strength and determination on the field.
