Captain Leah Williamson will feature for England for the first time in a year in Tuesday's Euro 2025 qualifier against Ireland, manager Sarina Wigman has confirmed.
She was an unused substitute in Friday's game. 1-1 draw with Sweden.
“It's going to be emotional,” said Williamson, who captained England and helped them win Euro 2022.
Furthermore, she added: “I'm an emotional person. You've all seen me cry so many times. Friday was emotional. If there's any team in the world you want to be in, England are right there. I'd love to play for England. ”
All 23 players trained at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Monday, including Williamson, whose last game for England was at the Aviva Stadium. April 2023: Lost to Australia 0-2.
She had to sit in the stands as England lost to Spain in the World Cup final in August and was ruled out of an international friendly in February with a hamstring injury.
“I think who I am on the pitch is exactly the same as who I am off the pitch. I don't think I was a calming presence, especially to anybody,” Williamson said.
“But I've enjoyed watching them and being a part of that journey in a different way. Of course there are people who play on the team that are very important to me, but it's been a difficult journey. was.”
“I'd be lying if I said this wasn't what I was focused on. This is where I wanted to get back. I wanted to come back to this team because I have some of the best memories with this team.” My life as a member of this team.
“Playing in the World Cup final and sitting next to Jill Scott was one of the worst decisions I've ever made in my life! I just live and breathe it. I love playing for England and I love watching England.”
Williamson was on the bench as England started their Euro 2025 qualifiers with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Sweden on Friday, but Wiegman said his selection ahead of Tuesday's game against Dublin was a “difficult choice''. '', he said.
“Of course, Leah is a great player. The first thing I want to say is that we made a difficult choice within the team. The competitiveness is really high. We have a lot of options in different positions.” said Wiegman.
“What Leah brings, of course, is the vision, and in possession she is very intelligent. She finds the right passes. Her flexibility in defense allows her to protect the space behind with everyone else. be able to.”
“Defense doesn't start with one player, it starts with the whole team. That's what I hope Leah can bring to the team tomorrow.”
“I don't want to talk about things that we absolutely have to win.”
England will face Sweden, France and world No. 25 Ireland in their qualifying group. The top two teams will automatically qualify for next summer's tournament in Switzerland. The remaining two teams will be eliminated from the playoffs.
Tuesday's opponents, the Republic of Ireland, are the bottom team in their group, but Wiegman would be reluctant to describe this game as a “must win” game.
“Well, I don't really want to talk about having to win, but we really want to win this game. Winning this game puts us in a better position,” Wiegman said. said.
“We know this group. It's hard to predict where this group is going to go. We just have to show up every game and try to play our best game. That's what we do. ” [on Tuesday].
“Yes, we know that if the result is good, we will be in a better position. If the result is not good, we will be in a tougher position. But we still have four other chances to change the situation. There is one.”
Williamson could be up against Republic of Ireland captain and Arsenal teammate Katie McCabe and has a very simple plan to deal with her.
“Well, if she doesn't have the ball, she can't do anything. That's a good start, right?” Williamson joked.
“I think Katie is a great personality. She's always been very proud of where she's from and has always been honest with her fans, so I think a lot of people have connected with her in that way. I think that there.”
“She knows her strengths. She also has strengths that can change the game. I think that's what has raised the profile of her game, and by extension Arsenal. I mean, she's been great for us over the last few years. He's an important player.''
