Will Chloe Kelly FINALLY earn an England start? Six talking points to track as Lionesses return to action after Euro 2025 glory
For the first time since clinching a second successive European Championship title back in July, England's Lionesses return to action this week, beginning their 'homecoming series' which will take the team around the country as they celebrate the summer's incredible triumph with as many fans as possible. It starts in Manchester on Saturday against Brazil, the South American champions, and moves onto Derby three days later, where Australia will be the visitors, before resuming in November with two more friendlies.These final two international camps of 2025 are not just an opportunity for the Lionesses to show off that Euros trophy, though. Ahead of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup beginning in the New Year, Sarina Wiegman can use these four friendlies to experiment a little and see some new players, with there three names in this month's squad who have accepted senior call-ups for England for the first time.To an extent, there is a need to experiment, too, as Wiegman is missing a number of key players this month. That's particularly the case at centre-back, as Leah Williamson is still sidelined with a knee issue picked up during Euro 2025 and Millie Bright has just this month called time on her international career, and in the forward line, with Lauren James also still working her way back from an injury sustained during the Euros title run, Lauren Hemp having suffered a knock to her ankle last month that rules her out of this camp and the in-form Jess Park, who looked set to provide a solution amid those absentees, a late withdrawal from the squad.So, what should England fans be looking out for this month? GOAL picks out six things to keep an eye on as the Lionesses return to action:
For the first time since clinching a second successive European Championship title back in July, England's Lionesses return to action this week, beginning their 'homecoming series' which will take the team around the country as they celebrate the summer's incredible triumph with as many fans as possible. It starts in Manchester on Saturday against Brazil, the South American champions, and moves onto Derby three days later, where Australia will be the visitors, before resuming in November with two more friendlies.These final two international camps of 2025 are not just an opportunity for the Lionesses to show off that Euros trophy, though. Ahead of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup beginning in the New Year, Sarina Wiegman can use these four friendlies to experiment a little and see some new players, with there three names in this month's squad who have accepted senior call-ups for England for the first time.To an extent, there is a need to experiment, too, as Wiegman is missing a number of key players this month. That's particularly the case at centre-back, as Leah Williamson is still sidelined with a knee issue picked up during Euro 2025 and Millie Bright has just this month called time on her international career, and in the forward line, with Lauren James also still working her way back from an injury sustained during the Euros title run, Lauren Hemp having suffered a knock to her ankle last month that rules her out of this camp and the in-form Jess Park, who looked set to provide a solution amid those absentees, a late withdrawal from the squad.So, what should England fans be looking out for this month? GOAL picks out six things to keep an eye on as the Lionesses return to action:
