The 23 player squad announced by Wiegman still give us hope though as there is a nice mix of experience and fresh legs in this squad and honestly after a great Euro's campaign looking at this squad it gives us the hope that we can get past that semi final stage once more and really put up a fight to become world champions as well as being European champions. So here is the England squad broken down and our thoughts on each player that has made the cut...
Mary Earps
It wouldn't surprise us if Mary Earps was the first name on the squad list. She had a fantastic Euro's and has followed it up with an absolutely fantastic season at Manchester United. Her consistency in between the sticks is exactly what England need and she can the link up she has with that back line is great. Earps has really progressed since joining United and since being under the watchful eye of Wiegman whilst playing for England and who knows just how well she is going to perform on the world stage, all we know though is it is very easy to have the trust in Earps and hopefully we will see yet another fantastic performance from England's number 1.
Hannah Hampton
After all the post Euro's controversy that was brought up surrounding Hampton, would she be picked again or not it is nice to see Hampton included in the 23 player squad. We are firm believers that Hampton deserves more credit than she gets as she can put in the performances when called upon. Hampton will surely be hoping for some game time this tournament to impress whichever club she goes to as she has just left Aston Villa. If anything happens to Earps, Hampton has the chance to really stand out and make a name for herself this time around.
Ellie Roebuck
The final 'keeper on the squad list is Manchester City's Ellie Roebuck, not so long ago you would have thought Roebuck was going to be number 1 once Bardsley retried however, since Wiegman took over that hasn't really gone to plan and to be honest this season her performances seem to have been hit and miss. There have been a few silly judgement calls like in the penultimate game vs United in the WSL this season where a rash challenge saw her seeing red but then on the other hand she has made some brilliant saves. It is going to be interesting to see who gets that back up 'keeper spot if anything does happen to Earps but if Roebuck impresses in training we could see her get maybe a bit of game time to save Earps for the later stages.
Millie Bright
With the injury to Leah Williamson we are getting to experience captain Bright this world cup and we think it is safe to say the Lionesses are in safe hands. Bright is one of those players that just keeps on giving but often goes under the radar. Now is her chance to really prove herself though, can she follow in Williamson's footsteps and lead her country to glory? We are looking forward to seeing just how well she does as a captain. We have seen at Chelsea this season just how strong she can be at the back under pressure and her experience is going to come in handy in a makeshift back line. Her ability to command from the back will also definitely help the Lionesses progress through the competition.
Lucy Bronze
It is nice to see Bronze included after her injury towards the end of the season, when she went down in that Barcelona game our hearts stopped for a bit and we were thinking the worst so for her to be fit for the tournament is brilliant. Bronze is going to be key in terms of world cup experience and knowledge on plenty of other nations players thanks to her time in both France and Spain playing against some of the best players in the world week in week out. Bronze is still one of the best right backs in the world in our eyes but can she finally help England win the tournament and add a world cup winners medal to her already impressive collection.
Jess Carter
Carter has really started to make a name for herself and with the injuries within the England camp this tournament she really has a chance to make a bigger name for herself with her capability to strengthen that already depleted back line. The defensive line are heading into the tournament with a few knocks so having Carter their to help out should be a benefit for the Lionesses, we just wonder how much game time she is going to get.
Niamh Charles
Charles has really started to impress us at Chelsea and it is nice to see her included in this squad as she could come in handy to step up for any knocks the back line pick up. Charles might have limited game time throughout the tournament but she is still young and the experience from being in the camp at a World Cup is definitely going to come in handy for the future. She is definitely a player to keep an eye on though if she does get on the pitch as she can get forward but also put in some great challenges to stop opposition attacks.
Alex Greenwood
Greenwood has been brilliant once again this season and has really taken to her centre back role at Man City and she could prove to be crucial at the back with Millie Bright if they are both fit for the competition. Greenwood has picked up a knock in the pre-competition camp and we are yet to find out just how bad that injury is but fingers crossed she is fighting fit by the time the World Cup begins as she is exactly what that back line needs.
Esme Morgan
If there is a young player that has stood out to us lately it has to be Esme Morgan, she is really starting to prove to us all just what she is capable of even at a young age. Morgan's game has really improved since her recovery from a broken leg and she is becoming one of those players you hope to see on the team sheet. Morgan is another player who might not get much game time but that experience is definitely going to come in handy for the future.
Lotte Wubben-Moy
Wubben-Moy stepped up for the injured Leah Williamson at Arsenal but to be honest this is possibly one of the names we would have switched out in the squad. Yes Wubben-Moy is a good defender but she has had some really shaky performances for Arsenal and can be a little bit hit & miss. With the injuries could we have had in the build up to this tournament we might see Wubben-Moy getting a bit more game time than she expected and let's hope if she does she slots in with the existing centre back in the game quickly.
Laura Coombs
We have really enjoyed watching Coombs this season at Manchester City and it is safe to say her performances this season have paid off as she in now well on Wiegman's radar and is on the plane to Australia & New Zealand. We are really hoping Coombs can get some game time this tournament so she can show the rest of the world just what she is capable on the big stage. She just adds even more competition to that already brilliant midfield.
Jordan Nobbs
Finally Jordan Nobbs seems to have had a bit of good luck. For the past few tournaments we have seen Nobbs suffer a knee injury in the build up that has ruled her out however, luckily for us she has stayed fit and is on that plane to the World Cup. Nobbs has really started to get the recognition she deserves since her move to Villa in January and it is safe to say we are still big fans here at Edge of the Area and now we have the perfect excuse to pick up the new England Shirt with her name and number on the back. Again who knows just how much game time Nobbs will get this tournament however, when she is on the pitch she can take that midfield up a notch and watch out for those rocket shots that she is capable of.
Georgia Stanway
Stanway has always been a fantastic but we honestly believe that her move to Bayern Munich has really helped her become a more confident player if that is even possible? Stanway just seems to be going from strength to strength in the game and we are looking forward to seeing how well she gets on this World Cup, it is going to be interesting to see how many times we see her on the score sheet this tournament as we have seen in the past how she can pop up at those crucial moments and help her team come out victorious.
Ella Toone
Toone really was a super sub in the Euro's and those fantastic performances when she came on really were key for the Lionesses victory but are we going to see the super sub performance this time around or are we going to see her finally get that starting role. Toone definitely stands the chance of being in the starting line-up however, would Wiegman prefer to keep her fresh for those tougher parts of the games and bring her on to make the impact she did in the Euro's? It is going to be interesting to see how Wiegman uses Toone this competition but either way she could be a key player.
Keira Walsh
Walsh has been a fantastic player since the get go in our opinion but for some reason she doesn't get the recognition she deserves, although we are now getting to see her get a bit more since moving to Barcelona, she is finally getting awards nominations. Walsh was one of England's key players at the Euro's and this is definitely going to be the case again at the World Cup, her ability in the midfield and the connection with those around her is going to be crucial for England's progression through the tournament. Let's hope we see Walsh getting even more recognition after this World Cup.
Katie Zelem
The Manchester United captain has had a brilliant season with her club and she has been rewarded for that with a Lionesses call up. Zelem has been one of those players that has been in and out of the squad for a while now and more often than not you see her just missing out on those call ups however, a fantastic club season seems to have impressed Wiegman and she is on that plane. With a very strong midfield it might be hard for Zelem to get game time but only time will tell and if she does get the chance to play for the Lionesses this summer we are definitely excited to see what connections she can bring to that midfield as she is a certainly a play maker and can get the Lionesses pushing forward into dangerous positions.
Rachel Daly
We are finally getting to see Daly in that attacking position and hopefully we will be seeing her upfront and scoring plenty of goals for the Lionesses this summer. Since moving into that forward position at Villa this season Daly has really shown Wiegman why she should be considered as more of an attacking player than a left back. We really hope that we will see Daly up front this summer as she can be a real threat but with those existing knocks in the defence you just worry she might spend more time at the back if those injured defenders struggle. Fingers crossed that she does manage to get that game time up front though as she could really cause the opposition problems.
Bethany England
Since the Euro's England really struggled to get those England call ups but thanks to her January transfer to Tottenham England has had the chance to really prove herself to Wiegman and it is safe to say that transfer really paid off as she has found her name back on the Lionesses squad sheet. Beth really helped Spurs in their fight for WSL survival and her ability to score in those crucial moments could be very helpful for England, let's just hope she can get some game time unlike back at the Euro's where we didn't get the chance to see her play.
Lauren Hemp
Hemp is an absolute joy to watch and it is safe to say we are really looking forward to seeing her play for the Lionesses this summer. Wiegman has definitely been impressed by Hemp just like us fans, her pace is absolutely fantastic and she can score some brilliant goals. The thing with Hemp though is just how much she troubles the opposition, she gets them frustrated thanks to her pace and skill which really works to England's advantage plus she can put the ball into the box nicely for others as well as attacking it herself if needs be. Hemp is still only young too so this is all just extra experience for her, but we can easily see Hemp being a key player this time around.
Lauren James
James is another player where you are not sure just how much game time she is going to get but you have to remember she is still only young so even just going to the tournament and sitting on the bench will be beneficial for her as she can get experience in the big tournament setting. James has really started to excel in her style of play though and she is more than capable of putting in some great performances this summer if needed. Even if she is brought on as a sub James can really frustrate the opposition and help the Lionesses out.
Chloe Kelly
The only way Kelly would have been missing from this squad would have been through injury surely? Kelly really was the hero at the Euro's with the winning goal but then she kept up the momentum at Man City throughout the season which kept her in Wiegman's eye-line all season. Kelly is brilliant out on the wing and just like Hemp she can get the ball into the box brilliantly or she can drive at those defenders and get a goal for herself. Let's see if Kelly can have a summer as magical as the last.
Katie Robinson
Robinson seems to have done something right lately as she has certainly impressed Wiegman this season and has found herself working her way into the Lionesses set up. Robinson might not get much game time this time around but this choice could be another case of getting a young player some experience in the big competition setting rather then just throwing her in at the deep end in the future. The experience will definitely be beneficial for Robinson going forward but we are hoping to see her get some minutes as she really is a player to watch in the future.
Alessia Russo
Russo is a player who really made a name for herself at the Euro's and due to her recent departure from Manchester United you would like to think that she would be wanting to have the tournament of her life to impress her new club. Russo is a player with a lot to give for the Lionesses, not only with the goals she can score but also her strength on the ball where she can hold it up well and also drive at the opposition to get the team into better positions. Russo is another player used as a super sub throughout the Euro's, will Wiegman do the same again or are we going to see her get a starting role?
This is definitely a very strong looking squad for the Lionesses and I think us fans could really be in for a treat watching them if they click right. It is just a shame we won't be seeing Williamson leading out the team this time around but I think we are in safe hands with Bright as captain, she is brilliant both on and off the pitch and her leadership can really help England progress through the campaign.
Let's hope this squad stays injury free throughout the tournament and let's hope we see the nation really getting behind them once more as that was definitely a big help for the European success.
Are you happy with this squad or would you have made changes?
