Ian Wright says the right substitutions will be key if England are to recover from their Nations League defeat to Spain and successfully defend their European Championship crown in Switzerland next month.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were leading 1-0 in Catalonia earlier in June when Claudia Pina was introduced for the world champions just before the hour mark, the Barcelona forward scoring twice in 10 minutes to deny England a place in the semi-finals and lay bare the size of their task if they are to avenge their 2023 World Cup final defeat next month.
The Lionesses go into their title defence, which begins against France in Letzigrund on July 5, reeling from the loss of Euro 2022 captain Millie Bright who has withdrawn from the squad, as well as Mary Earps and Fran Kirby who have both retired, decisions that Wright said he supported.
“It’s sad to see Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Fran Kirby leave the squad at this stage,” said Wright, who was speaking at an event in London to mark one year of Barclays Free Park Tennis scheme, which provides facilities and coaching with the aim of removing barriers between children and grassroots sport.
“Obviously they’ve got their reasons and I’ll back them whatever those reasons are because of the calibre of players they are and what they’ve brought to the women’s game.
“But from a squad perspective, we’re getting ready to play tournament football which we’ve been very successful in however we’re playing.”
England were a clear second best to the world champions despite taking a first-half lead though Alessia Russo, with shades of Spain’s commanding victory when the sides met in the World Cup final in Sydney.
The home side dominated possession of the ball and limited the Lionesses to only four shots on goal, though it took the arrival of Pina in the second half before the world champions broke through.
“We weren’t able to keep the ball and do well enough to fight off a Spanish side that are very ball-retentive and creative,” said Wright. “That’s going to tire you out at some stage.
“That’s something they’re going to have to deal with, especially the fact that Spain were able to bring on somebody like Claudia Pina who scored the winning goal.
“Substitutes are vitally important now. We do need Lauren James fit obviously, but then it’s down to the team to know what they’re doing. They do know how to play tournament football.”
Wright also pointed to the importance of investment in grassroots sport if a new generation of Lionesses and talent across other sports is to emerge.
“When I was younger we didn’t have anything like this (Free Park Tennis) what has been provided,” he said. “I want to make sure that my voice is heard with anything to do with grassroots sport.
“This sort of initiative gives equipment, it give facilities whatever your ability. That is something that when I was younger was a pipe dream.”
