England’s defensive issues exposed: Will Wiegman make a change?

The pressure is on Sarina Wiegman to make changes after chaotic showing in England’s 4-3 defeat to Germany

England captain Leah Williamson in conversation with her centre-back partner Millie Bright.

As the third goal slipped under Hannah Hampton’s outstretched hand, it was clear that this was a colossal wake up call for England. It did not matter that they would go on to score twice before that first half was out, or even that they could probably have scored more. This performance against Germany, the first meeting between the two teams since England had triumphed on the same ground at Euro 2022, was bleak.

Manager Sarina Wiegman selected a very predictable defence as Jess Carter, Leah Williamson, Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze started with Hampton in goal behind them. Three of those four defenders started every match on England’s run to Euros glory two years ago, but their performances could not be further from those halcyon days. In fact, one of the biggest concerns for England should be how poor they looked given how little their team has changed. For Germany, only two of the starting line up from the final were the same: Jule Brand and Giulia Gwinn. For England, it was seven, including the bulk of their defence and midfield.

England’s issues began immediately when captain Williamson passed the ball to Giovanna Hoffman under no pressure at all. With Hoffman bearing down on goal, she made an indecisive run before throwing her arm in the air to claim a non-existent off-side when the ball was passed to Linda Dallmann. Bright promptly barged into Dallmann and conceded the penalty. The whole passage of play, and subsequent scoring of the penalty, was over within two minutes. 

Williamson’s selection was potentially the most controversial. Ahead of the match, Wembley honoured former England captain Steph Houghton’s career. Houghton was dropped from the squad by Wiegman when she became manager. The irony is that the person who became captain now appears to have a nailed on spot regardless of her performances. At club level, Williamson has been in and out of teams all season and she has struggled with the intensity of top level matches, notably against Chelsea. The decision to play her over the left-footed, in-form Alex Greenwood certainly did not look any better after the opening two minutes.

If individual errors were one thing though, the second and third goals were big failures of the defensive structure as a whole. For the second, England’s entire defence got dragged over to the right side of the pitch whilst for the third, Lucy Bronze was left one on one with the two-footed Klara Bühl although goalkeeper Hampton should have done better with the shot.

Wiegman said after the match that they had wanted to press Germany but were caught out when they did not get it right. Yet England repeatedly looked at sea attempting to defend transitions. There appeared to be little communication between the back four as players would step out or track opposition players at random.

The development of England’s backline has been impacted by injury with both Williamson and Bright having had long periods out with knee issues. Both are still trying to find form at club level but England have a glut of centre-backs at their disposal. It is hard to look past the fact they are captain and vice captain in terms of their nailed on starting ability.

On this season’s form alone, Greenwood and Manchester United’s Maya LeTissier have impressed the most, although Wiegman seems to solely view the latter as a right back. Lotte Wubben-Moy was unavailable for selection due to concussion protocol but was the best English centre-back last season, whilst Carter has been consistently good for a couple of seasons now. With Lucy Parker and Esme Morgan also both in the squad, England have no shortage of centre-back options. 

It is probably unrealistic to expect both Williamson and Bright to be dropped but it does feel like Wiegman should select one of them to pair with Greenwood now. The reality is she should be the first name on the team sheet for this England defence, based on both her defensive ability and the passing options she opens up as a result of being left-footed. With England continuing to find it hard to build-up from the back due to the focus oppositions are placing on Keira Walsh, the need to use someone like Greenwood has only intensified.

Wiegman developed a reputation during her time at the Netherlands for refusing to evolve her side, which culminated in a defensively chaotic Olympics when she had already accepted the England job. The decision to start Hampton over Mary Earps in goal suggests that narrative is not quite as simple with England, but there have been warning signs over the way England have performed for a while. Wiegman has made bold changes before when her system was not working, such as the formation change at the World Cup. She needs to do that again.