History Beckons

In case you haven’t heard the news, England play Spain in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday Morning at 11:00am BST.

This is England’s first World Cup Final since 1966 and my nation’s first chance to win a major international tournament away from English soil I find myself overcome with hope, anticipation and anxiety.

One person who has to rise above such a maelstrom of emotion is Sarina Wiegman, England Manager, who must remain serene as a millpond whilst under pressure that could make and then crack a diamond.

Having come agonisingly close to winning it all with her home nation 4 years ago the Dutch Woman must now plot a way to take England one step further.

Before she can consider what tactics to employ though there is an even bigger dilemma she must grapple with… which players to grant the gift of making history as part of the first women’s team to represent England in a World Cup final.

Since the switch to a 3-4-1-2 formation, employed since the China game, the majority of that starting 11 has been set in stone. In front of the stalwart Mary Earps in goal, whose incredible performances have kept the Lionesses in the tournament at times, England have only made one personnel change since progressing to the knockout stages.

That change was enforced upon them by Lauren James’ deserved red card for stamping on Michelle Alozie’s back just 3 minutes from time in the round of 16 showdown with Nigeria. Before her suspension James was the creative engine in England’s midfield and, after scoring the only goal of the game against Denmark, she turned in a virtuoso performance to sweep China aside in the Lionesses final group game.

She set up three of England’s 6 goals and scored two in one of the greatest solo performances in World Cup history. It would have been three of each for James if her second beauty of a strike hadn’t been ruled out for an offside against Lucy Bronze in the warm-up.

In her absence from the side the pressure of stepping into her shoes has fallen on Ella Toone’s shoulders and she has risen to the challenge impeccably. After finding her feet in the Quarter-final against Colombia she opened the scoring in the Semi-Final with a worldie of a strike, first time off the outside of her right boot, to set England on the way to beating co-hosts Australia and booking their place in Sunday’s final.

Many people are clamouring for James to return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s showpiece, but it is down to Wiegman to decide whether this is the right call to help England make history or not. The crux of her decision will come down to whether it is worth tweaking a settled team or not?

Ella Toone and Lauren James are both world-class payers so having to keep either out of your world cup final starting 11 is a horrible choice, but one that will have to be made.

Personally I would stick with the same starting 11 that beat the hosts and got us into the final, with James coming on as a second half substitute to score the final goal that kills of Spain’s dwindling hopes of getting back into the match.

Thankfully I’m not the one blessed with the momentous responsibility of making that call. Sarina Wiegman is and only she knows what decision she will make.

Whether she goes with Toone or James I’m certain she will get this crucial call right, after all her record so far has been pretty impeccable and whoever misses out on that historic berth will still get on the pitch, having a huge bearing on the course of events as history beckons for this incredible England team.

No matter which of Ella Toone or Lauren James starts against Spain I know they, and their teammates will do the nation proud and win the trophy.

I feel utterly confident in predicting the ENGLAND WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP!!!

Come On The Lionesses!!!

Football’s Coming HOME!!!