All rounders fuel England
England
v Italy Today, Coventry, 3.15pm
SARINA WIEGMAN believes the versatility of her players will play a key role in helping England replicate their Euro 2022 heroics at this summer’s World Cup.
The Lionesses face Italy at Coventry today as they bid to continue their winning run in the Arnold Clark Cup.
England began with a 4-0 opening win over South Korea where captain Leah Williamson stepped out of defence to deputise for Keira Walsh in midfield.
Central defender
Alex Greenwood also put in an impressive display at left-back and England boss Wiegman said: “It’s one of the things we really want to see when we talk about depth in the team and the opportunities we have when we have to change or someone is injured.
“You want players to be exceptional in the positions they play but if they can play in more positions then we get more opportunities in the team whenever we have to change.”
Wiegman (below) has confirmed Barcelona’s Walsh has recovered from illness to feature against Le Azzurre.
When Walsh joined the Spanish league leaders from Manchester City last summer she became the world’s most expensive women’s player and is an integral part of the Lionesses side.
“It’s really nice for Keira to be back,” said Wiegman. “Of course she wants to be part of the team and we want to see her play. So it’s really nice to have her on the pitch too.”
The Lionesses will face a stern test when they face Italy, who had a narrow defeat to Belgium last time out.
Milena Bertolini’s side currently stand 17th in the FIFA world rankings and face the champions buoyed up by topping their section in World Cup qualifying, winning nine of their 10 matches.
Wiegman believes their opponents will afford her players with the chance to show their tactical nous.
She said: “They’re a pretty good team.
“If you look at the results it’s probably a bit disappointing for them but I think they’ve played some proper games. What they do tactically they do different things in the game which will challenge us.
“It’s good for us to adapt to that and scan continuously as a team what they do and be proactive in that so we can control the game.”
Wiegman, whose side play Belgium on Wednesday in their final Arnold Clark Cup game, is pleased with the build-up to the World Cup after a 27-game unbeaten run under the Dutch coach.
She added: “The squad is shaping up well.”
ENGLAND: (probable): Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Kelly, James; Russo.