England’s win over Jamaica was the last opportunity for players to impress – and Jess Carter and Ella Toone certainly did that, while Lauren James and Georgia Stanway got crucial minutes.
One of the biggest questions going into the Euros has been the fitness of Chelsea forward James, but she gave Wiegman a boost by playing 27 minutes against Jamaica – her first appearance for club or country since April following a hamstring injury – and providing a clever assist.
Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway scored against Jamaica, but perhaps more crucially has now played 90 minutes for the first time this year after knee surgery in January ruled her out for the remainder of the domestic campaign.
Carter, one of three US-based players who joined up late with England as they continued their league seasons, is among those fighting for the left-back spot and she was given the nod on Sunday.
Last week, she said she “panicked a little bit” when she saw the level of intensity in training and said she would need to “step up” and “give Wiegman a headache”.
And she certainly did that. The Gotham FC defender put in a crucial last-ditch challenge in the first half before later teeing up Lucy Bronze’s header to make it 2-0, as she impressed in defence and attack.
Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley described it is a “standout” display from Carter, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “She should be very pleased and very proud of her performance today.”
Wiegman says England have “at least two players in every position” but one of the most competitive areas is in midfield.
She tends to play with three in midfield and has trust in the deeper pairing of Stanway and Keira Walsh. This is likely to continue now Stanway has 190 minutes under her belt from England’s past three matches.
The main spot up for grabs is the creative number 10 role which has been occupied by James, Toone, Jess Park and Grace Clinton in the past two years.
Manchester United’s Toone was given the nod against Jamaica and instantly impressed, scoring within 10 minutes – the goal capping a passing move involving the three midfielders – and doubled her tally before half-time.
Toone was one of England’s go-to super-subs at Euro 2022 so Wiegman knows she can count on her and Bardsley said “the fact she’s adding goals at this time is really exciting for England”.
Wiegman also has to pick her front three. Whether James is fit enough to start against France is one question. If not, who does Wiegman select?
Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead have been battling each other for the right-wing position for both Arsenal and England but the latter started against Jamaica, having finished Euro 2022 as the tournament’s top scorer and best player, so seems to be slightly ahead in the pecking order.
Alessia Russo is certain to start as England’s main striker and Aggie Beever-Jones looks to have cemented her position as the favoured back-up option, getting another opportunity – and scoring again – on Sunday, with teenager Michelle Agyemang yet to add to her one and only England appearance.
