After the summer of football we have just witnessed the next England squad announcement was always going to be an interesting one, was it going to be all the same players? Was it going to have some comebacks involved? Well thanks to a few varying factors the squad announcement for England's World Cup qualifiers is looking a bit different to what it did for the Euros and to be honest the new faces coming in just goes to show the quality of options available to Sarina Wiegman. Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly are unfortunately out due to injury and the retirements of legends Ellen White & Jill Scott means, 4 attacking/midfield positions have opened up to those who maybe just missed out on the Euro squad due to injuries etc last season. The 4 slots have been taken up by some quality replacements and it is a chance for them to get their names back out there on the international stage as the World Cup is fast approaching. The most surprising one for me though is Hannah Hampton missing out for Sandy MacIver, something I am not too sure about as Hampton has shown at Aston Villa just how useful she can be but if it is due to personal reasons it is nice to see Wiegman giving the player the time she needs rather than dragging her in to sit on a bench.

So here is a look at the squad that Sarina Wiegman has put together for the first camp back after the Euros whilst England are chasing qualification for the 2023 World Cup and our thoughts on each selection...

Mary Earps - I think it is going to be hard to drop Earps from the squad after her performances lately, she really has cemented herself as Englands number 1 and I don't see that changing unless she picks up an injury (please don't get injured Mary). She played fantastically lately and I am really looking forward to seeing more of her during these next two few games and going into the new season. 

Sandy MacIver - This was a strange one for me but apparently Hampton has missed out due to personal reasons so it makes a bit more sense now. Man City's new recruit will surely be using this camp as an opportunity to make an impression on Wiegman but also on her new team Man City. I am not sure if she will get much game time but the extra bit of camp experience will definitely be beneficial for her.

Ellie Roebuck - Roebuck is once again called up for international action and I can see her being the second choice 'keeper and if Wiegman decides to rest Earps for any of the upcoming games I can imagine it would be Roebuck that we see taking her place in goal. This camp will be a good warm up going into the new season too even if she doesn't get any game time. 

Millie Bright - Bright definitely played her best games in an England shirt during the Euros so I am sure only injury could have kept her out of this squad. I wouldn't be surprised if she was one of the first names picked after what we saw this summer. I am a big fan of Bright and her defensive ability and also what she can do going forward too so again I am really looking forward to seeing her during these games, could we see some great tackles and great goals?

Lucy Bronze - of course one of the best right backs in the world is called up once again and I am glad as it means a few more opportunities to watch her play, something I am going to miss now she has moved to Barcelona. Bronze just doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon and those attacking runs are always going to be a big benefit for England especially with qualification on the line.

Jess Carter - Carter stood out to me for Chelsea last season and her efforts for her club didn't go unnoticed as she found her way into the Euro squad. Unfortunately she didn't get much game time in the tournament but when you are the same position as Bronze it is always going to be a tough time getting picked as first choice. Carter has clearly done something right though as she has found herself called up for these qualifiers and I am hoping to see Bronze get a bit of a rest even if just for half of a game so that we can see just what Carter is capable of. 

Rachel Daly - Daly really stood out to me during the Euros and I think she played particularly well in the left back position when back in Houston she was more of an attacking player. I am glad we are finally getting to see Daly shine in an England shirt rather than sitting on the bench as her quality on and off the ball is fantastic, she really has made that position her own now.

Alex Greenwood - Greenwood is a pretty versatile player these days with the ability to play as either a centre back or left back. Unfortunately though she has spent most of the time on the bench these days due to the strength in those two positions, it is always great to see her called up for England duty though and I am really hoping she gets some minutes over the next few games as again it is always great to see her play.

Demi Stokes - Stokes has found herself on the bench for England a lot recently but that left back spot is one that is fiercely contested for and I am not surprised we aren't seeing as much of her as we used to. With Daly and Greenwood also in this squad I can't see much game time for Stokes but the extra training could help keep her in contention for other camps as the world cup approaches. The left back spot is where I thought we looked weak in previous years but lately it is the most competed spot with a lot of talent to pick from.

Leah Williamson - Captain fantastic, Williamson is still only a young player but she is leading her country brilliantly and I can't to see her career progress both at club and international level. Her and Bright have formed a fantastic partnership in the back line and I don't know about you but I always feel like the ball is in safe hands when she has it. Not only is she a brilliant defender but her pin point passes are something else England will benefit from as they chase World Cup qualification and her ability to read the game and stay composed is the perfect addition to the England camp. I think we will be seeing Williamson on the call up sheet for many more years.

Lotte Wubben-Moy - Unfortunately we haven't seen too much of Wubben-Moy in an England shirt yet due to the other players that play in her position but just like with other fringe players these camps are a great chance to gain extra experience and there is a possibility she might get some game time to give others a rest and things crossed we do get to see her as she has impressed me in the games I have seen her play in.

Jordan Nobbs - The name I was searching for when the announcement was made... Jordan Nobbs, Jordan has been so unlucky with injuries in the past but she has worked hard to bounce back from her latest setback and I can't wait to see her in the England shirt once more. With Scott retired this is a really big chance for Nobbs to step up and become a regular call up and I just hope she has a good year with England and stays fit as I would like to think this is the first step of her getting that World Cup call up. 

Georgia Stanway - Stanway is proving to be a pivotal player for England and I am totally here for that as for such a young player she holds a lot of promise. We have seen some amazing performances from Stanway since her England debut and I think we still have the best to come which I am definitely looking forward to. With Scott now retired I think her place in the middle of the field is going to be a place she really makes her own and these next few games are a big chance to remind everyone what she is capable of.

Ella Toone - Toone has made herself a household name over the summer and I am glad she has been called up once again as the young Man Utd player is absolutely brilliant. Her ability to read the play and be in the right place at the right time is fantastic and her pace can really cause issues for the opposition. She was one of a handful of super subs in the summer but are we going to see her get a few starts in the next few games? It would be great if we did.

Keira Walsh - The most overlooked midfielder is called up for England once again and I am really hoping she is going to start getting some recognition for her hard work very soon as honestly I think without her we wouldn't have won the Euros. Walsh goes by unnoticed yet it is her passes and awareness that gets England into those dangerous positions in the first place, she can play the team out of trouble and create chances with short passes or long pin point balls and she will be a big part of England's World Cup push and this camp is just the beginning.

Katie Zelem - The Manchester United captain is back in the England squad and it is another well deserved call up. I think if Scott hadn't been available for the Euros we would have seen Zelem at the tournament especially as she was at some of the camps before the final squad was announced. Now is her chance to shine in an England shirt though and show why she should be getting called up regularly as we approach the World Cup and fingers crossed she gets some minutes in this camp and future ones. 

Beth England - I was a bit gutted when England didn't play any of the Euros but that big tournament is definitely going to come in handy for the future. I am hoping that with White retired we might get to see a bit more of England as an attacking option for her country but she is definitely up against tough competition. I hope we get to see what she can bring to the England squad this camp.

Lauren Hemp - The Hemp and Daly connection on the left seems to be working really well and I am hoping to see this continue into this camp and these qualifiers as the more they play together the stronger that connection gets. Hemp is an absolutely fantastic player who causes a lot of issues for the opposition and it is scary to think how young she is and how many years she has got left in her, she is still only just starting but has already caught everyone's attention for all the right reasons. fingers crossed for a few more Hemp goals this camp.

Lauren James - It is nice to see James back in the England squad, back when she was playing regularly at Manchester United I really enjoyed what I saw from her then she moved to Chelsea where she hasn't had as much game time as she should do but with the quality of players she is training with daily I think adding in this camp the experience is going to shape her into an even better player than she already is. I am not too sure how much game time she is going to get but hopefully this is just the start of more regular call ups.

Beth Mead - Mead has had a fantastic time under Wiegman's watchful eye and I am looking forward to seeing if she can add to her England goal tally in these upcoming fixtures. She really has stood out and made her name for herself lately and I am really hoping that this continues into these qualifiers, if she plays like she did in the Euros then we are definitely in for a treat.

Nikita Parris - Parris is looking to get herself back in the starting line up and off the bench whilst also putting her name out there for her new club Manchester United so I am looking forward to seeing how well she performs at this camp. With the talent in the camps these days it is going to be hard for anyone to break into being a starter without a player getting injured but if Parris gets playing like she did pre Lyon I think we could see her increase her England camps.

Alessia Russo - I am sure Russo was one of the first names down on this list after her spectacular performances in the Euros but with White now retired we could be calling on her starting the games more often but how is she going to react to that? She was used as a super sub all tournament but being a starter could be totally different but with Russo's footballing ability I am sure she will have an impact in these qualifiers whether she is a starter or a substitute and I am looking forward to seeing more goals from her as I am sure she will be on the score sheet at least once in these next 2 games.

Ebony Salmon - Since moving to the NWSL things have been a bit quiet on the Ebony Salmon front however, since her recent move to Houston Dash her name is becoming more and more popular as she is scoring for the fun of it. With injuries to Kirby and Kelly it is a chance for Salmon to step in and show Wiegman what she could utilise in future camps and tournaments. Even if she doesn't get much game time the camp experience is going to be useful as with her still being so young this camp is just the beginning for her really and if she trains like she's played in the States no-one will be forgetting her name in a hurry.

So that is how the squad is looking for the upcoming camp, again it shows just how many great options Sarina has available to fall back on to cover for injuries and I am really hoping this is a chance for Nobbs to get back in the running for a World Cup squad space (please stay injury free this season Jordan) as she is a player who deserves another chance at glory after suffering so many set backs in the run up to other major tournaments in the past. 

I have to say though it is going to take some getting used to seeing these announcements without Jill and Ellen included, those retirements have definitely hit home hard and the legends are going to be missed but it is time for others to step up and show us what Ellen and Jill have taught them, they are definitely big shoes to fill though. I am looking forward to this camp and seeing how the team plays together and surely we will secure qualification to next years World Cup.

What do you think to the squad Wiegman has picked for the next few games?

With numerous new faces featuring alongside old faces for City it was going to be interesting to see how they were all gelling together as a team under the new management but as the game got under way it was safe to say they looked like they had worked hard in preseason and looked like a team straight away, there are obviously some areas that still need working on but as this was the first game for the season that was always going to be the case. City really started well moving the ball around especially in the midfield where Stuart & Stube seemed to be creating some great movement and getting City into some testing positions. There were a few scrappy moments from both teams but with it being the first game of the season it was to be expected with players getting used to each others style of play, City looked the more dominating side in the opening moments however, it was Middlesborough who took the lead after being awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, this was taken brilliantly and put them 0-1 up against the run of play, the goal seemed to help Middlesbrough find a bit of momentum before the half time whistle blew but there wasn't enough time for them to add to their tally in the first half.

Going into the second half 0-1 down didn't seem to let City's heads down though as they came out fighting for an equalizer and again they looked the more dominating team in the second half, chasing the ball down and moving the ball around to get into some dangerous positions but they just couldn't find the back of the goal, that was until a corner was sent into the box and some scrappy defending left the ball at the feet of City's American defender Chynna Harris who eventually turned the ball into the back of the goal to bring the scoreline to 1-1. After the equalizer it looked like the game could go either way with both teams getting the ball into some good positions which left the game feeling pretty tense at times with the chance of the result going either way but in the later stages of the game Middlesbrough gained another corner and just like with the City goal some scrappy defensive work ended with the ball in the back of the goal and Middlesbrough found themselves with a 1-2 lead to hold onto which they did meaning City's first game of the season in a defeat which really didn't do City's performance justice. 

City might have lost their opening game but they never looked like giving up throughout the 90 minutes, when they went behind they kept up the intensity and tried their hardest to get a goal back, this seems to be following on from last season where we saw a massive improvement in the teams reaction to going a goal behind and fingers crossed we are going to see this attitude throughout the whole season, although it would be great not to go behind too often. City definitely looked good to say it is only the first game of the season and I am really looking forward to seeing how they progress this year under the Charlotte Stuart and Gareth Davis because after watching them on Sunday we could be in for an interesting season.

It was good to see a few more fans in the ground on Sunday too with the Euros win seeming to have an effect on people wanting to come down to watch some women's football for a change and fingers crossed the momentum of the attendance growth keeps up into the whole season and beyond as those extra fans getting behind the team could really help shape performances, let's hope they don't drop off when the weather starts to turn.

Next up for City is a trip to York as they take on York City with both sides looking for their first 3 points of the season.  

I think it is safe to say a lot of people reading this post will have had the time of their lives in July thanks to the Euros and I know I can honestly say it has been the dream month for me. A full month of major tournament football here in England during a month where I am normally sat around counting down the days to the seasons starting again, then getting to see England become winners of that major tournament, it is a dream come true and honestly it still feels like a dream to me and it could do for a long time. We were lucky enough to receive all the tickets we were balloted for in the pre-sale and it just so happens purchasing those games when we didn't know who was even playing worked well in our favour as the games ended up being teams we really wanted to see and we got to see some of our favourite players in action. The tournament was originally delayed a year due to the pandemic and it seemed to be a very long wait but it was worth it all in the end and this tournament has made me even more excited for the new seasons starting up. 

As I said earlier we managed to get tickets to all those games we were in the ballot for and I am so grateful that we did, we knew the opener would include England but as for their opponent and the rest of the games we had no idea who we would be paying to see. As the tournament grew closer I sat and told Liam I was adopting Sweden as a bit of a second team to cheer on throughout the competition as I loved their style of play and Liam told me his would be the Netherlands. So when the fixtures came out and we saw we were going to be at the stadium watching Sweden vs the Netherlands you bet we were involved in a friendly bit of competition. If we weren't at the stadium watching a game though you bet we were watching at least 1 game per day on the TV, it truly was a month of only football. So here are the games that we were lucky enough to attend...

England vs Austria

The tournament opener was the one we really wanted to go see, not just because it was an England game up North but also because it was a game in Old Trafford, one of my favourite stadiums. When the groups were drawn I was hoping this would be the game against Norway but seeing Austria play was also fantastic, they really put up a fight against England and showed they weren't to be written out of the tournament too soon. The atmosphere was fantastic at this game and those 90 minutes set up the start of a perfect tournament. 

Sweden vs Netherlands

As I said earlier I said that Sweden were my second team and Liam said the Netherlands were his so we were more than excited when the fixtures were announced and we saw that we would be watching the two teams face off in Sheffield. We thought the atmosphere was brilliant at the opener but honestly these two sets of fans really brought the noise and it was a great experience being in the stadium soaking it all up and watching a good game of football, it wasn't the best game we saw as both teams cancelled each other out but it was still a good game.

Sweden vs Belgium

The next game we went to was another Sweden game and this time it was to see them take on Belgium in the quarter finals, we really did soak up this game I was in the Sweden shirt, face paint on and we joined in the fan walk to the stadium. It was a fantastic day but they kept us on the edge of our seats with their performance. Belgium really put in a performance and if I am honest I thought they were going to progress to the semi finals but Sweden managed to get that all important goal in stoppage time, it was great to see them progress but I still feel sorry for Belgium as they probably deserved the win that evening. It was great to see Tessa Wullaert play again too as I have missed seeing her at Man City.

Netherlands vs France

We were both very lucky as we got to see both our second teams in the quarter finals however, Liam's didn't get the result that mine did and France came out the winners of a very closely contested game which went to extra time and both sides looked very threatening in. Again this is a game where we really soaked up the atmosphere as we found the Netherlands fans some of the best in the whole tournament with the atmosphere they created. I have to say this was definitely the best fan walk we did as the fans are crazy but in a good way. even when they were knocked out of the tournament the fans were there celebrating how well the team had done. It was great to be there to see some of my favourite players play at long last too such as Roord and van de Donk. 

England vs Sweden

I have to say this was the game I was really dreading (although I always wanted England to walk away the winners) and I hoped it was going to be the final game not the semi finals. I was so excited to see my favourite two teams play each other in what should have been a very close game but Sweden just didn't turn up and England had a spectacular game, they shouldn't have won 4-0 in a semi final it should have been much closer but after those 90 minutes I was so relieved that England had finally broke that semi final curse and the likes of Lucy Bronze, Ellen White and Jill Scott were finally getting to the final after suffering heartbreak in the past 3 major tournaments.

England vs Germany

I got laughed at when I bought tickets to the final last year but in the end after seeing the demand for the tickets I am so glad we did manage to get them when we did as England took on Germany for the title of European champions. To know we had tickets to see this game I was like a kid at Christmas and on the day of the final we just soaked it all in. The 120 minutes were the most nerve wrecking and when that Chloe Kelly goal went in I don't think I have ever celebrated as much. There were tears all round at full time and to this day it still feels like a dream, to be able to say I was there for the Lionesses lifting their first major tournament trophy is amazing and the tournament holds memories that will last a life time. 

It was nice seeing a tournament go in England's favour after so many years of heartbreak, watching the women's game grow to what it is today and the potential it has now after the win is amazing. I am so glad we got our tickets early as I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on any of the opportunities we had, it has been a tournament filled with plenty of highs for a change and here our highs...

England Winning

I think this is the most obvious high for a whole lot of people. After so many years of heartbreak football is finally home. Under Wiegman the teams mentality seems to have massively changed and we look like such a threat in every game we play. Seeing them lift that trophy just puts an end to all those years of heartbreak and honestly it has put the team on the map for the newcomers to the sport but I think its also raised the hope of us who have watched for a long time that this is now only the beginning of what could be a fantastic few years with the World Cup coming up in 2023. 

Getting past that semi final curse

For so many years I have seen the Lionesses get through to the semi finals and fail to progress to the final and seeing those players sat on the floor in tears at the end of those games has been heartbreaking, especially when you get the close ups of Ellen White and Lucy Bronze, those 2 have been through it all for a long time with the squad so to see White in happy tears at the end of the semi final was certainly heartwarming and seeing them go on to lift the trophy just brought tears to everyone's eyes, everyone on that team deserve that win but you can't help feel so much more excited for those who have been part of the heartbreak in the past. 

Fan walks

Me and Liam have loved soaking it all up this tournament and one thing we have loved the most is the fan walks before the game. Being in that group of fans walking to the stadium together chanting and just enjoying the day has been fantastic. Don't get me wrong the Sweden quarter final one was great and the England semi final one was something special due to it being for our country but I just don't think you can beat the Netherlands one, that was a special experience that I know we are never going to forget, being in a sea of orange jumping around and singing whilst making our way to a quarter final game. If you asked me to walk to the game normally and do the amount of steps I did on these walks I would have complained massively but those fan walks took away all complaints.

Atmosphere

Sometimes you can go to a women's game and the atmosphere can feel a bit flat, like only a few are getting behind the team but this tournament the atmosphere in those stadiums was unreal. Foreign fans really brought the noise for the team and showed us all how it was done, some teams fans never seemed to stop. Even the English atmosphere really started to gain momentum and the atmosphere at the final was the best I have experienced. I am really hoping we can replicate this at other games throughout the season as those players really stepped up with the atmosphere the fans created. 

Russo back heel & Stanway screamer

I couldn't do my highs from the tournament without including these two goals, they are my goals of the tournament. First up you have Stanway securing England's place in the semi final with a stunning strike which really showed everyone just what she is capable of, Man City are definitely going to miss her next season. Then you have Russo with the cheeky back heel goal in the semi final and nutmeg not one but two Swedish players, to be able to do that in a semi final just goes to show the confidence in the team and the players on the team and it has really helped boost Russo's profile, I can see a lot of people picking up Russo shirts for the new season.

Seeing players really make a name for themselves

This high doesn't just go for the England team although I think a lot of those players have made a name for themselves and will be on peoples radars for a long time, Kelly, Russo, Hemp & Toone are just a few of the ones from England that stand out for me but at the same time you have a lot of young talent from elsewhere that are going to be players that people keep an eye on in future tournaments and in future seasons, Lena Oberdorf from Germany is one of those players who really shone through the season and gained herself young player of the tournament, I know I will be keeping an eye on her future progress and I can see many other fans of the women's game doing the same.

Memories that will last a life time

The memories created throughout this month really are going to live on for a life time. Me and Liam, going to plenty of games and going on little adventures on our own, having family with us for the opener and the final has all being fantastic. Add seeing Leah Williamson lifting the trophy at Wembley to that list and those memories are never going to fade. As someone who has followed the game for a long time, long before this website even started the tournament has magical and has been a very long time coming. I think it is going to feel like a dream for such a long time but I have collected mementos along the way that I am going to hold onto forever.

Jill Scott

Yes Jill Scott really does get her own section on my highs from the tournament. Jill has been one of my favourite players for as long as I can remember and this tournament has just made me love her even more. A lot of people were complaining about why we would take her to this tournament but I think throughout the month a lot of people's eyes have been opened to the sort of player Jill is and what she can bring to the squad. She is hilarious, she can help motivate the team and she can still play brilliantly and isn't afraid to get stuck in for challenges. Plus we now have the iconic moment of what she shouted to the German player after a challenge which has already made its way onto t-shirts. She really is a national treasure.

I know I keep saying it but this tournament really has been spectacular and I am really hoping this is just the start for the growth of the women's game here in the UK, it is time clubs really capitalise on the Success and momentum we have seen throughout July to keep the game heading in the right direction. Here are some of the things we are hoping to see off the back of Euro 2022...

Attendances grow across the board

There is a full post coming about this in the near future so I wont go into it too much today. We are already seeing ticket sales soar for the start of the WSL but are we going to see that continue when people realise they are going to have to pick between the men or women due to schedules clashing, or when the weather changes and the cold evening games set in are we going to see attendances suddenly drop again? I really hope not and I really hope we see attendances increase at all levels not just in the top flight.

Momentum taking place for the growth of the game

I am really hoping that we are going to see more teams investing in the women's game along with brands putting their money where their mouth is rather than jumping on the bandwagon for a month then dropping off the face of the earth once again. It is time to build on what we have seen this summer across all levels and grow the game into what it deserves, it is time for the women's game to gather pace and start to shine rather than being overshadowed.  

See more girls and women take part in the sport

I signed up to play 9 a side again at the end of last year and joined a Friday night 5 a side session and since the Euros the amount of people being added to the group chat for organising the games has been unreal and numbers are increasing in the participation. I would love to see this replicated across all age groups throughout the country, people just starting out and others getting back to it. I really hope so see those people stick to it though and not get fed up when the weather changes or when the hype of the tournament has dropped off. 

More advertising & promotion of the women's game

We are seeing the Lionesses everywhere at the moment, on TV & in newspapers, clubs are promoting games like never before and to keep the momentum going we need to be seeing this year round not just for a few weeks after the major win. There is no point putting it all out there to totally drop the women when the men's game starts back up or have a major tournament to take part it. There needs to be consistency in keeping the women's game in the public eye to keep up with the high ticket sales and get more eyes on the game it can't just be a one off. Get more games on the TV, get more players being interviewed on major sites in build up to games an get the fans attention gripped and don't let the woemen's game slip off the face of the earth in a few weeks. 

Get those big names involved more and get the big brands on board to promote like they have since the win, if they are really wanting the game to grow like they say now is the time to get on board with the promotion of the game and don't let that historic win just disappear from the media, let's keep things moving along in the right direction.

I really don't think I could have wished for a better summer of football, it has been a dream come true which has motivated and inspired me in so many aspects of my life which I am really looking forward to starting on and working towards. These Lionesses have really inspired the nation and I am looking forward to seeing what is next for them and the leagues in the UK. What a dream month it has been and that win just proved to everyone anything is achievable if you work hard enough for it and are determined to come out on top.

What is a highlight of the Euro's for you?