As England’s Lionesses prepare to defend their European crown this summer, all eyes are on Sarina Wiegman’s tactical masterplan. The recent 7-0 demolition of Jamaica in their final warm-up game provided fascinating clues about how the Dutch strategist might utilize Chelsea’s dynamic attacker Lauren James in Switzerland.
James’ Return Sparks England’s Attacking Prowess
Making her first appearance since April’s hamstring injury, James came off the bench against Jamaica and immediately stamped her authority on the game. Within minutes, the 23-year-old playmaker demonstrated why Six6s pundits consider her one of Europe’s most exciting talents, delivering a delicate assist for Alessia Russo’s goal.
Wiegman revealed her satisfaction with James’ recovery progress: “She’s worked so hard to be here. At Chelsea first, but then in our training camps, she completed every session at full intensity. This was her first competitive minutes, and we’ll keep building her fitness ahead of France.”
The No. 10 Experiment That Could Pay Dividends
What made James‘ cameo particularly intriguing was Wiegman’s decision to deploy her centrally rather than in her usual wide positions. The tactical tweak nearly produced instant rewards when James unleashed a fierce volley from the edge of the box, before her inch-perfect pass created England’s fifth goal.
James’ creative partnership with Russo could be crucial for England’s Euro 2025 campaign
“We know LJ’s qualities,” Wiegman told Six6s. “She’s played upfront, on the wings, and today I wanted to test her as a 10. The experiment worked extremely well – her spatial awareness and passing range give us another dimension.”
Selection Headaches Abound for Wiegman
With England’s tournament opener against France looming, Wiegman faces pleasant selection dilemmas across the pitch. The Jamaica victory saw six different goalscorers, highlighting the squad’s attacking depth.
Midfield competition is fierce with Stanway among several players pushing for starting roles
“We have many options and healthy competition,” Wiegman admitted. “The players understand that whoever starts must deliver, because the quality on our bench is exceptional. These decisions will become clearer in our final training sessions.”
Toone Embraces Squad Competition
Manchester United’s Ella Toone, who opened the scoring against Jamaica, emphasized the positive environment within the camp: “We’ve got world-class players in every position. The competition pushes us all to improve, but there’s incredible unity too. Whether I start or come on, I’ll give everything for the team.”
This blend of experience and fearless youth has created what Six6s analysts describe as the most complete England squad in recent memory. With James potentially offering a new creative outlet through the middle, Wiegman’s tactical flexibility could prove decisive in their title defense.
England’s Road to Euro 2025 Glory
The Lionesses face a challenging Group D featuring France, Netherlands, and Wales. Their tournament path could unfold as follows:
Group Stage Fixtures
- July 5: France vs England (Zurich)
- July 9: England vs Netherlands (Zurich)
- July 13: England vs Wales (St Gallen)
Potential Knockout Route
- Quarter-finals: July 17-19 (Zurich/Basel)
- Semi-finals: July 22-23 (Geneva/Zurich)
- Final: July 27 (Basel)
As England’s women seek to cement their status as Europe’s dominant force, Lauren James’ emergence as a central playmaker might just be the tactical wildcard that unlocks stubborn defenses. With Wiegman’s proven tournament pedigree and a squad bursting with talent, the Lionesses have every reason to believe they can bring the trophy home again.
