The Japan Times - No England crisis ahead of Euros despite absence of star trio: Wiegman

It has been a tumultuous period for Wiegman after Earps and Kirby announced shock retirements from international football and Chelsea captain Bright made herself unavailable for the Euros.

The trio started every game when England's women secured their first major silverware at the 2022 Euros.

Speaking after naming her squad for the title defence in Switzerland, Wiegman was adamant the Lionesses will rise to the challenge of replacing such accomplished players.

"They've done so much for us, so much for England. They've been playing the tournaments since I've been here, so it's hard to replace them," Wiegman told reporters on Thursday.

"But there are also other players who have done really well and now those players get the opportunity to step up. So you have to move on.

"My experience before tournaments is that there is always noise. We expect noise until we go into the tournament. It doesn't feel like a crisis at all."

Bright, who captained England to the World Cup final two years ago, said she felt unable "to give 100 percent mentally or physically" and needed a break from the international stage.

"In the last couple of days I found out. It's sad, it's disappointing. It's not nice and I hope she feels well very soon," Wiegman said.

Amid claims that Wiegman's managerial style had irked some of England's stars, the Dutch coach hit back at the critics.

"It is not an unhappy group. You see parts of it. You are not in our environment all the time," she said.

"I can assure you the training sessions were very good last week. I have seen what has happened on pitch and off the pitch with the team. I'm really happy with where we are now."

- James fit -

Earps reportedly stepped down after being told she was no longer guaranteed to be the first-choice keeper.

Defending her approach to the delicate situation, Wiegman said: "For me, it's really important that I am honest and treat people in the right way. Sometimes you have good news and sometimes you have bad news.

"I don't beat around the bush. I can't always control how people respond to that but afterwards we can just offer them support."

Wiegman received a boost as Chelsea forward Lauren James was declared fit to feature at the Euros.

The 23-year-old has not played since she suffered a hamstring injury during England's Nations League win over Belgium in April.

James was a key figure when the Lionesses finished as World Cup runners-up to Spain in 2023.

"It's not a risk. She's training really well at her club and she's at the point we hoped she would be at this stage. She keeps progressing," Wiegman said.

Arsenal's Michelle Agyemang, a 19-year-old forward who scored just 41 seconds into her England debut in April, also made the squad despite playing only 10 minutes of international football.

"She brings something different. I hope she can show it in the summer. We all remember her goal against Belgium," Wiegman said.

Agyemang is one of seven players making their major tournament debuts, while Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze is set for her seventh, including four consecutive Euros.

England start their Euro campaign against France on July 5 before also facing the Netherlands and Wales in the group stage.

T.Ueda--JT