Games against Portugal and Spain will be the final chances for players to stake their claim to be on the plane to Switzerland for Euro 2025
England's Lionesses are into the final international break before Sarina Wiegman names her squad for this summer's European Championship, meaning this is the last opportunity for all those in the frame to state their case to start, to be a regular impact substitute or perhaps just make the squad as the reigning continental champions look to defend their crown.
On Friday, England welcome Portugal to Wembley Stadium for the penultimate match of the Nations League group stage, before then travelling to Spain to take on the world champions. The Lionesses know that two wins from two will see them top the table and qualify for the competition's finals, which is a big goal for the team.
But underneath all of the permutations that will start to unfold for the Nations League, there is the Euros. Less than six weeks away now, players will be keen to use every moment in training and in games to impress Wiegman, who still has some big decisions to make – especially after Mary Earps' shock retirement was announced on Tuesday.
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Getty ImagesAnna Moorhouse
The big story going into these England games is the shock news of Earps' retirement from international football with immediate effect. The Paris Saint-Germain star has been battling tooth and nail with Hannah Hampton to be the Lionesses' No.1 for this summer's Euros, and her absence from the squad basically confirms that the Chelsea star will start for her country in Switzerland.
But it also has an impact lower down the pecking order, as it opens up the gap for someone else to become the back-up behind Hampton. That might seem rather trivial, but anything could happen to make it less so.
In that race, there is little between Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating. The former is more experienced, as a 30-year-old who has played in three different countries and enjoyed serious success last season, when she helped the Orlando Pride win the NWSL Shield and Championship. But her limited exposure to the very highest level, and lack of a senior cap, means she is level-pegging with Keating going into this camp.
Could one of them get an opportunity to start? It seems unlikely – but it's hard not to imagine that Wiegman will be watching them both closer than ever in training.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesKhiara Keating
If Wiegman has her eye on the long-term future, then it would make sense for Keating, 10 years Moorhouse's junior, to get any opportunities that might fall the way of another goalkeeper. But the 20-year-old, while remarkably talented and promising, has proven herself to be erratic at times since breaking through at Manchester City as a teenager.
Can Keating do anything during this international break to show Wiegman that she has the composure to go to the next level? It's going to be difficult in terms of actual match experience. But everything else that happens on this camp gives the staff a look into Keating's character and personality, and – like Moorhouse – she has to try to continue to make the best impression possible to ensure the England boss doesn't call upon another goalkeeper and knock those on this camp out of the Euros squad.
Getty ImagesAlex Greenwood
Away from the Earps announcement, there is a lot of intrigue around this England squad, particularly because there are three big names back in the fold for the first time in a long time. One of thos is Alex Greenwood.
The Manchester City star's last appearance in an England shirt was back in November, when she and Jess Carter changed positions fluidly as the left centre-back and left-back, to try and help Wiegman solve the lack of options for the latter position.
Since Greenwood had knee surgery in December, Wiegman hasn't been able to resume that experiment – one which offered promise. This upcoming window, though, presents the opportunity to try it out again – and, if opted for, offers both players a way into the England XI, which they have found tough to break into otherwise as of late.
Getty ImagesJess Carter
Greenwood's return, then, is also good news for Carter. The Gotham defender had a starring role as a centre-back in a back three during the 2023 Women's World Cup, as did Greenwood. However, when Wiegman returned to a back four shortly after that tournament, and Leah Williamson returned to fitness, both found themselves out of the first-choice XI.
Carter's understanding of both full-back roles sets her apart from other centre-backs she is competing with, and thus made her the perfect foil for Wiegman's experiment with Greenwood. Again, if she chooses to reprise that selection this week, it could be a big indicator of what her starting line-up will look like at the Euros, which would be good news for both players.
