Five key England issues for Wiegman before hosts kick off Euro 2022

Arsenal’s centre-back Leah Williamson is arguably one of England’s best players but finding the position that gets the best out of Wiegman’s captain while keeping the team balanced is not easy. Against Belgium Williamson was deployed in midfield, as has been the case with increasing frequency under Wiegman. Against the Netherlands she began in the middle but dropped into the backline in the second half and against Switzerland she operated from the back. Wiegman has made the most of this trio of preparation games to try to find the fit for her captain. Williamson was handed the armband after performing well in defence early in Wiegman’s tenure and impressing the manager more generally.

However, a spell out injured allowed a strong partnership between Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood to develop. With that pairing flourishing, Williamson has been deployed in a double pivot alongside Keira Walsh, as well as in the No 8 role. Both have worked, but they have not looked entirely natural, with the 25-year-old having not played consistently in midfield for a number of years. The double pivot has proved effective when England have played top-ranked opposition, but do they need two natural holding players against weaker teams? Where, then, does Williamson fit in and should Wiegman consider dropping her when England need a more attacking midfield or shift the settled Greenwood wide or out?

Wiegman has said she knows most of her lineup to face Austria at Old Trafford on Wednesday. One likely spot up for grabs is at No 10. With Fran Kirby having missed the end of Chelsea’s season there is a question mark over the influential player’s readiness for 90 minutes and back-to-back games. It is likely that Wiegman will flit between Kirby,