Forward James named in England squad for European Championship
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Nations League - England Training - St. George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - April 3, 2025 England's Lauren James during training Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo REUTERS
UPDATED Jun 05, 2025, 11:26 PM
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BURTON UPON TRENT, England - England named Lauren James in their squad on Thursday for this year's Women's European Championship despite the Chelsea striker being sidelined with a hamstring injury for over two months.
James, who has seven goals in 27 appearances for England, has not featured since she was injured in England's game against Belgium on April 4, but manager Sarina Wiegman is confident the 23-year-old will recover before England kick off defence of their title versus France on July 5.
"It's not a risk (to include her)," Wiegman said. "We have some time. We still have a month. She is training really well and is at the point we hoped she would be at this stage."
Thursday's announcement at England's training base at St George's Park was as much about players who were not in the selection as the ones who were, and Wiegman was asked about fan perception of turmoil in the squad.
A day earlier, defender Millie Bright had withdrawn from consideration for the tournament, saying she was not physically and mentally at her best.
Bright's withdrawal came after goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby announced their international retirement. Earps appeared to have lost her starting spot to Hannah Hampton and Kirby was told she would not be in the squad for the finals in Switzerland.
"My experience is that there is always noise (before a tournament)," Wiegman said. "The difference is the visibility of the women's game has increased so it seems like there is more noise.
"I feel very comfortable with this team. I'm very happy with the team, and I'm very excited, and I'm looking forward to it. For me, it doesn't feel like a crisis at all."
Wiegman called Bright's withdrawal "sad and disappointing".
"It's not nice when you don't feel well physically and mentally and I just hope she feels better soon," the Dutchwoman said.
The squad includes 13 players who lifted the trophy in 2022, while seven players -- Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton, Khiara Keating, Maya Le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse and Jess Park -- will be appearing in their first major tournament.
Agyemang has generated plenty of excitement since she scored 41 seconds after coming on as a substitute in her England debut against Belgium in April. The 19-year-old controlled a long ball from Leah Williamson with her thigh before smashing home a volley.
"I think she brings something different," Wiegman said. "I think we are really strong up front. What she showed when necessary is the physicality. We all remember that first goal against Belgium."
Beever-Jones stole the show with a first-half hat-trick in England's 6-0 Nations League thrashing of Portugal on Friday at Wembley.
All players selected, apart from James, were part of England's recent Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain.
Wiegman hopes James will be fit to feature in a pre-tournament friendly against Jamaica on June 29 in Leicester.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo REUTERS
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