What did we learn from England's final two matches of 2024?

With two clean sheets and 23 different players getting minutes, there was plenty to digest from a curious international window for the Lionesses.

Sarina Wiegman made 10 changes to her starting XI between the two friendlies against the USA and Switzerland | Credit: England Lionesses

It was a strange international break for England. After the two defensively open matches against Germany and South Africa, these USA and Switzerland fixtures were an opportunity for England to reset.

The defensive performances, which saw England keep two clean sheets, were certainly improved. But with only three shots on target and one goal in 180 minutes of football, there are still plenty of questions.

With six months to go until Euro 2025 begins in Switzerland, what did we learn about England?

They are struggling to create

It doesn’t take a statistical genius to work out that three shots on target across two games is really bad. England created an xG of 0.07 in their 0-0 draw against the USA, their lowest in the Wiegman era. They were notably cautious going forward, understandably so to an extent given the way they had been torn apart in transition by Germany at the same ground a month previously. England needed to show they could exert some control in games against high quality opposition, even if they rode their luck at points against the USA.

But regardless, the lack of connection between the front four who started against the USA - Alessia Russo, Jess Naz, Beth Mead and Jess Park - should be a significant cause for concern. That is why it felt so surprising that instead of seeing those options tweaked against Switzerland, a close to entirely new starting XI was picked with Wiegman making ten changes.

Of the four starters against the USA, only Russo feels truly nailed on in the XI. Naz continues to be a bizarre pick, whilst Mead obviously has credit in the bank but is not currently starting for Arsenal. Park has been consistent without being spectacular for Manchester City. Given all that, trying different iterations of this attack feels crucial, rather than making wholesale changes.

England’s injury issues are obvious and perhaps Wiegman feels her first choice team when fit is so obvious, she will just make do until their return.

Lauren Hemp and Lauren James would both start automatically for this England team, with Mead probably likely to also get the nod given Chloe Kelly’s loss of favour at City. But there is no guarantee those players are fit come the Euros. It feels churlish to not be working out better combinations, or building on whatever one Wiegman thinks is best.

Clinton deserves a shot in the first choice XI

If we are taking a more generous interpretation of all of Wiegman’s changes, is it possible that the match against Switzerland offered a final audition for those hoping to break into the Euros squad?

Given the injury absentees, plenty of players who are in and around the team right now won’t be making the trip to the tournament. With Nations League fixtures taking place next year, Wiegman might have felt this was the last opportunity to really give the fringe players a run out.

Clinton was the stand out of them. Wiegman had surprisingly curt words for the Manchester United midfielder at her pre-match press conference when asked about Clinton failing to get on the pitch at Wembley.

”What we want is consistency. What I talked with Grace about a lot is that she needs to stay switched on at all times. She’s tight on the ball. She’s shown that she can get in the box. Defensively, the understanding needs to be improved and the consistency. What I said to be switched on and know what the bigger picture is, not only her own task.”

In the changed XI, Clinton looked the most confident from the start, moving all over the pitch to win balls and start attacks. She pounced first when Millie Turner’s header hit the post to score the only goal and linked up well with Aggie Beever-Jones for some of England’s more threatening attacking moments.

There were other positives, not least Beever-Jones’ increasing confidence on the ball in tight spaces as well as Ruby Mace’s tidy performance in defensive midfield. But Clinton looked clearly the most settled and able to change the game herself. She deserves to have a role to play at Euro 2025, and one that goes beyond sitting on the bench.

Wiegman is concerned about her left-footers

One of the biggest positives to take from England’s draw with the USA was the decision to use Alex Greenwood at left-back and Jess Carter at centre-back. Carter admitted after the match that she prefers playing at centre-back, and whilst it meant that Millie Bright was benched, Carter’s speed across the ground helped England anticipate and extinguish direct attacks. Meanwhile Greenwood being left footed creates another option in build up, allowing England to vary their passes.

Wiegman played a back three of right footers against Switzerland but included Gabby George as the left wing-back, suggesting she was still keen to have that influence in the team. Prior to her dislocated shoulder, right-footed Niamh Charles looked like she had the left back spot locked down for England but she may have competition.

Although the use of the back three could also suggest that Wiegman may lean towards the formation she used to haul England to the World Cup final in 2023. That could allow Greenwood to play in the back three - as she did in Australia - but still have Charles pushing on in an advanced role.