Leah Williamson remains a doubt for England’s Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy after being forced off before the Lionesses’ penalty shootout drama on Thursday night.
Sarina Wiegman confirmed that the captain had “rolled her ankle” and is undergoing a scan on Friday.
Williamson was seen leaving the Stadion Letzigrund after the win over Sweden in a protective boot and on crutches, which was understood to be a precaution.
Wiegman added that Williamson “couldn’t stay on the pitch” as she was replaced by Niamh Charles in extra time, while Chloe Kelly admitted that she could see the defender was “in a little bit of pain”.
How England could line up without Williamson
After 25 torrid opening minutes, Williamson helped to salvage England’s campaign by switching with Jess Carter to the left side of the centre-back partnership.
Carter had endured a torturous 1v1 battle with Stina Blackstenius and the switch settled the back four.
Losing Williamson for the later stages of the tournament would be a catastrophic blow – especially with vice-captain Millie Bright having pulled out of England duty through burnout before the Euros began – but Wiegman does have options.
Bring in Morgan
Esme Morgan was another late substitute against the Swedes and though she was only ever expected to play a bit-part role at this tournament, she could come in alongside Carter, keeping Alex Greenwood at left-back and Lucy Bronze on the right.
Finally turn to Le Tissier
The other like-for-like swap would be to use Maya Le Tissier, the Manchester United skipper who has been used sparingly by Wiegman at international level.
That is largely because the Lionesses boss primarily sees her as a right-back rather than a centre-back, but it is in the latter role that she has starred for United in the WSL.
Lotte Wubben-Moy is another centre-back who has not yet played a minute at this Euros, but who is stylistically not dissimilar to Williamson in that she likes to get on the ball.
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Use Charles at LB
There has been some clamour for Charles to be given another chance at left-back given England’s woes down that side against both France and Sweden.
After France, Wiegman moved Carter from left-back to centre-back and Greenwood the other way, but one option is to put Greenwood back in the middle with Carter.
That would leave more of the same personnel in the defence, which Wiegman tends to prefer, and allow Charles to handle Italy’s right winger Sofia Cantore.
The i Paper’s verdict
If Williamson is ruled out, Wiegman will most likely start Morgan, having introduced her late on against Sweden.
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