Leah Williamson deserves Lionesses captaincy after ‘growing as a person and a player’, says Lotte Wubben-Moy

The last time England faced Northern Ireland at Wembley, it felt like the perfect dress rehearsal for Euro 2022.

Six months on, the tournament is that little bit closer and Sarina Wiegman hints she has “more or less” made up her mind who will be on the coach. That is how she picked her squad for the World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia (who England beat 10-0 on Friday), and Tuesday’s clash with Northern Ireland at a sold-out Windsor Park.

Well, almost. Covid and injuries have disrupted the Lionesses camp, with Niamh Charles and Beth England first testing positive alongside Wiegman’s assistant Arjan Vurink. While Charles and England have since rejoined the squad, Alex Greenwood (knee) and Lotte Wubben-Moy (thigh) have been forced to pull out.

Leah Williamson, having been named captain for the Euros, then missed the game against North Macedonia in line with concussion protocols after being struck with the ball during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leicester in the Women’s Super League.

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It still feels like a new era under Williamson, who wore the armband in the Lionesses’ 4-0 win over Northern Ireland in October while Wiegman was still weighing up a long-term successor to injured Steph Houghton.

“I’m so beyond proud of Leah, not only as a team-mate, but as friend,” Arsenal and England team-mate Wubben-Moy told i.

“I’ve seen her grow as an individual and as a player. We’re both Arsenal players but also Arsenal fans, so to see someone who has taken a similar journey to myself is really encouraging. I’m beyond proud, but it’s also important to note that her predecessor Steph Houghton was also an amazing captain.

“I was lucky enough to have a few camps with her. It’s an extremely exciting moment for Leah but also I’m sure she will be commending the work that Steph did previously.”

England have a perfect record in Group D so far, scoring a staggering 63 goals without reply in their last seven matches. For Northern Ireland, who will be the lowest-ranked team at this summer’s Euros – they are 46th in the Fifa standings – the more crucial game has already been and gone, and they lost 3-1 to Austria on Friday night.

That is not to say England will be underestimating Kenny Shiels’ side, however, with Wubben-Moy stressing that “respect is a core of this team and it’s at the forefront of our values – we respect one another, we respect the game and we respect the opposition; these are non-negotiables”.

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As with the Arnold Clark Cup, which the Lionesses won by beating Germany, it is can be hard to differentiate the World Cup qualifiers from the wider build-up to the European Championship, as much as England’s players would like to take each game as it comes.

“We looked at this camp as two must-win games and we’ll hope to do that in the best way possible that helps us progress as a team, but also builds on the journey towards the Euros,” Wubben-Moy added. “For me personally and other individuals, you’re fighting for a spot at the Euros. It’s a home Euros, so that brings with it so many more emotions and possibilities that you want to try and be part of, ultimately you want to help the team win.

“We’ve got the best players in England all under one roof and that’s a privilege because we’re able to push one another and compete at that level. Naturally that creates a better level on matchday against Northern Ireland.

“We’ve got so much to come before the Euros so it’s important we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves. Every day poses a challenge and right now the challenge ahead are the World Cup qualifiers.”

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