Going straight in with France vs the Lionesses, it’s just a crazy opening game.
Both teams have such quality, it can go either way – you can’t underestimate either of them. That first game, you don’t want to drop points. They don’t have time to figure things out because both teams can capitalise on that.
It’s going to be some of the best players in the world playing against each other – and I think these are the key players who could decide which way it goes.
Lauren James
You’ve got the likes of Lauren James getting back fit. I don’t think she will start the first game but as soon as she can get minutes, she’s the shining star in that England game.
Sometimes you need that, because you need the whole team to do well but you need that star player that creates something out of nothing in those key moments.
Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson
We always talk about the front line but you look at France, their front three including Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, players with speed, you need the defence to be key as well.
Luckily, the Lionesses have two very experienced players in Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson. Of course Millie Bright is a big miss for her physicality, but in terms of knowledge of the game they’re both going to be key. You can’t have a pairing at centre-back that don’t work well together.
Their abilities on the ball is some of the best. That’s what’s changed in the women’s game, centre-halves being able to play out from the back. That’s where everything starts, players picking out key passes higher up the pitch to let the strikers do their thing.
Jess Carter
Lucy Bronze is pretty much set at right-back but it will be key finding that left-back that grabs it with both hands.
Looking at Sarina Wiegman playing Jess Carter against Jamaica, I would be surprised if she changed that. You would assume she’s given her that game time to then give her the shirt and keep that rhythm. Jess is a really good defender and she’s really strong.
Lauren Hemp
You’d probably say Lauren Hemp is England’s most underrated player. I know people talk about her and everyone says she’s a great player, but I think she’s probably not talked about enough. Naturally, we mention Lauren James which is normal, because she’s phenomenal, but with Hemp, she’s a winger that can’t only get balls in the box and score goals, she’s really athletic too.
She’s one of those players that track back, help with the defensive work and get back up the pitch. She’s probably not spoken about enough in terms of the world stage.
Manchester City really missed her when she was injured and luckily she’s been able to get back for the Lionesses. If you talk about world-stage football, I believe Lauren Hemp is up there with some of the best in the world.
Ella Toone
Looking at how Sarina normally works she likes that experience, Keira Walsh is a great player to have in midfield playing balls forward. Georgia Stanway she likes for the physicality, so the 10 role is probably the most likely position to get switched about.
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But you then look at Ella Toone, you can’t take away her vital goals for the Lionesses. And if you need a Grace Clinton to come off the bench, you’ve seen her score headers and goals for Manchester United.
You could see Lauren James coming on the pitch in that position to be creative and have a lot of joy on the ball. They’re players you just want to give them the ball, pass it to them, let them do their things – because they create moments that not many people can.
France’s key player
France leaving out long-term captain Wendie Renard is still a big surprise. With her presence you can put her up front in the last few minutes and she also gets a lot of goals from corners and set pieces. So the Lionesses will be happy she’s not there for the set pieces.
But you can’t underestimate that French team. They’ve been developing Sandy Baltimore and she’s coming to her prime, scoring goals for Chelsea and adapting to her role really well. Whether she plays left-back or left-wing, she’s a key player they will look to get on the ball.
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