Lauren James was today included in the England squad for the forthcoming European Championship.
The Chelsea forward has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on Lionesses duty against Belgium in April but has been handed the chance to prove her fitness by being named in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-player group for the tournament that gets underway on July 2.
James was a key part of the England side that reached the World Cup final in 2023 and will head to Switzerland along with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang.
The 23 #Lionesses heading to Switzerland! #WEURO2025 💫
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 5, 2025
Agyemang, who is on loan at Brighton from Arsenal, got the nod over the more experienced Nikita Parris after scoring 41 seconds into her England debut against the Belgians at Ashton Gate.
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It has been a difficult fortnight for Weigman and England
The naming of the squad will come as a relief for Weigman, who has seen three experienced players become unavailable over the past week.
Both Mary Earps and Fran Kirby announced their international retirements while centre-half Millie Bright withdrew from contention due to mental and physical fatigue.
On Bright, Wiegman said: “In the last couple of days I found out – we were in conversation. It’s sad, it’s disappointing. As I said last week, it’s not nice and I hope she feels well very soon.”
And on Kirby and Earps, the Dutchwoman added: “They’ve done so much for us, so much for England, for English football. They’ve been playing the tournaments since I’ve been here, so it’s hard; hard to replace. 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.”
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Taking James not a risk
England are the defending European champions and among the favourites to lift the crown once again.
James’ contribution could be key if the Lionesses are to go all the way and Wiegman denied taking the 23-year-old was a risk.
“It’s not a risk,” she said. “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 and hopefully, when she comes into camp, she can go into training with us and keep progressing towards the first game on the 5 July. We don’t see it as a risk, we’re just building her.”
