Women's Euro 2022: Who's on the bus? England power rankings - April 2022
By Ali Rampling
Carnaby Street is decked out like a foosball table, Sweet Caroline is being added to every single Spotify playlist and the Arnold Clark Cup trophy is being polished; Euro 2022 is fast approaching.
The festivities kick off on 6 July, with England players jostling for a place in the 23-player squad for a home European Championship.
Sarina Wiegman has the keys to the Mega Bus - let's take a ranked look who should start packing their travel pillows and downloading their PDF tickets.
23. Jordan Nobbs (MF)
Still not consistently hitting the heights that she did prior to her ACL injury in November 2018, Nobbs has struggled to nail down a starting spot for Arsenal and England this season.
But she always has a long range stunner in her locker and can run her socks off - with her energy particularly effective in stifling Spain at the Arnold Clark Cup in February.
22. Lotte Wubben-Moy (DF)
The Arsenal defender has been called up for every single one of Wiegman's England squads to date - but has had to pull out of the last two due to injury.
Euro 2022 for Wubben-Moy could mirror Leah Williamson's 2019 World Cup; limited minutes due to the Lionesses' abundance of centre-back options, but a spring board to bigger things in future tournaments.
21. Nikita Parris (FW)
Parris has not set the world alight since moving to Arsenal in the summer and is still waiting for her elusive 50th WSL goal.
She's still been consistently selected by Wiegman, offering a different dynamic to the Lionesses other wide forwards, and made a decent impact from the bench against Germany in the final fixture of the Arnold Clark Cup.
20. Jill Scott (MF)
Just as she did in 2021 to command an place in Team GB's Olympics squad, Scott sought a loan move away from Manchester City to guarantee more minutes and boost her chances of making the Euro squad.
The England stalwart is on course to play in her eighth major tournament, forever dependable at international level and an asset when it comes to disrupting rhythm against the likes of Spain.
19. Bethany England (FW)
England has struggled for minutes at Chelsea this season due to a combination of injuries and the strength in depth the Blues boast up front.
However, she has come into the side in recent weeks and taken her opportunity with both hands, netting six goals in her last three appearances, and offers a different threat to England's other striking options.
18. Fran Kirby (MF/FW)
The 2020/21 WSL Player of the Season has enjoyed another decent campaign, with six goals and six assists in 13 league appearances.
But Kirby has missed the last month due to illness, and questions have been raised about where her best position is in Wiegman's side. Can be unstoppable if England figure out how to get the best out of her.
17. Hannah Hampton (GK)
Hampton has impressed in an England shirt during her maiden two appearances for the senior side, with her distribution a particular strength.
The Aston Villa keeper kept a clean sheet on her debut against Spain, and looks to be favoured by Wiegman over the more experienced Carly Telford.
16. Ellie Roebuck (GK)
Roebuck has worked her way back into the England squad after injury kept her sidelined for the first half of the season.
A great shot stopper and confident with the ball at her feet, the Man City star has made one appearance under Wiegman and been named in all of the new manager's squads when fit - but has lost her starting berth to Mary Earps.
15. Rachel Daly (DF/FW)
Daly has played here, there and everywhere throughout her England career, with her versatility consistently utilised by the Lionesses' last three managers.
She has primarily been deployed at right-back and left-back under Wiegman, but always impresses in a more advanced role.
14. Demi Stokes (DF)
The ever dependable Stokes looks set to face a battle with Jess Carter to be England's first choice left-back at Euro 2022.
Solid defensively, reliable going forward, you always know what you're going to get from the Manchester City defender.
13. Alessia Russo (FW)
Russo has been one of the standout performers in the WSL this season, netting nine league goals for Manchester United and currently breathing down the neck of Ellen White for an England starting spot.
Her athleticism and intelligence consistently impress, but she was kept quiet by the - admittedly very impressive - Canadian backline during her only start against world class opposition in an England shirt.
12. Jess Carter (DF)
Having largely been a squad player during her first two-and-a-half years at Chelsea, Carter has enjoyed a thoroughly impressive 12 months to force her way into England contention.
The defender offers the Lionesses real defensive versatility, capable of playing at centre back, left-back, right-back and as part of a back three, making her a big asset at a major tournament.
11. Ellen White (FW)
Despite not enjoying her most prolific season in club football, White is still considered Wiegman's first choice striker.
The forward has made a recent habit of peaking at major tournaments, netting six goals at both the 2019 World Cup and Tokyo Olympics. If she could find that form at Euro 2022, that would be more than ideal.
10. Lucy Bronze (DF)
Bronze is back in the England fold after missing the first half of the season having undergone knee surgery last summer.
The right-back no longer has to shoulder the weight of the England team like she used to. But while defensively does not quite look like the player she once was, her power and pace remain as strong as ever. World class on her day and still utterly destructive going forward.
9. Ella Toone (MF/FW)
Toone is enjoying a fabulous season with Manchester United, and has backed this up with big performances in an England shirt too, netting four goals in the Lionesses' two most recent World Cup qualifiers.
Now the only question remains over whether she can do it on the big stage against world class opposition.
- Ella Toone: 'Playing at Old Trafford means everything to me'
- Ella Toone is staking her claim to be an England starter at Euro 2022
8. Georgia Stanway (MF)
Having been deployed all over the place due to Manchester City's injury problems earlier on in the season, Stanway is now consistently playing as a number 10 and is thriving.
The midfielder netted a pair of braces during the most recent international break, and looked good in an unorthodox number four role against Spain in the Arnold Clark Cup.
7. Mary Earps (GK)
Wiegman has come out and stated that Mary Earps is currently her England number one - marking a remarkable turnaround for the Manchester United goalkeeper, who had fallen out of favour on the international scene prior to the new coach's arrival.
Having admitted that she was resigned to missing out on Euro 2022, Earps has started eight of Wiegman's 11 games in charge, and looks set to stay between the sticks come summer.
6. Alex Greenwood (DF)
Greenwood has become one of the WSL's standout performers this season, having been omitted from Team GB's Olympic squad last year, as she continues her seamless transition from left-back to centre-back.
Her ball playing ability enables her to dictate play, while her pace is a real asset defensively, and the City defender had been building a strong partnership with Millie Bright, prior to withdrawing from the latest squad due to injury.
5. Beth Mead (FW)
Spurred on by missing out on a spot at the Tokyo Olympics, Mead has been another shining light in the WSL this season.
The Arsenal forward has replicated her club form on the international stage, and has a remarkable record of 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight appearances in World Cup qualifying.
4. Keira Walsh (MF)
Walsh has been ever present in Wiegman's England starting XI since returning from an early season injury, and looks set to be one of the first names on the team sheet at Euro 2022.
The England boss introduced a midfield double pivot with Walsh and Leah Williamson at the Arnold Clark Cup as a way of getting the best out of the Manchester City midfielder against opposition where the Lionesses are forced to do more defending - and it worked an absolute treat.
3. Millie Bright (DF)
The Arnold Clark golden boot winner is on a goal drought for England, going a full two games without finding the net for her country.
Bright is enjoying another fantastic season at Chelsea and has looked incredibly solid for England. Her game complements both Greenwood and Leah Williamson in the centre of defence, and she's got an emergency cameo as a 'number nine' in her locker too.
2. Lauren Hemp (FW)
England's most potent attacking threat, seemingly nothing fazes Hemp. Her ability to drive at full-backs again and again is among the best in world football.
The roar of expectation from the Molineux crowd whenever the Norfolk Rachel Yankey - as she has officially been christened, this afternoon, by me - got on the ball against Germany in the Arnold Clark Cup was incredible to witness. Hemp has the ability to set the world (/Europe) alight at Euro 2022.
1. Leah Williamson (DF/MF)
Williamson was officially named England captain for Euro 2022 in April, and has been a real favourite under Wiegman.
Having been restricted to a single substitute appearance at the 2019 World Cup, the only question is where she will start at the Euros. Ever dependable at centre-back for Arsenal, she has been frequently deployed in midfield for the Lionesses thanks to her revered ball playing ability. And everyone loves the Walsh-Williamson midfield double pivot.
- Leah Williamson: Sarina Wiegman on what she offers as captain
- Leah Williamson labels England captaincy 'biggest honour in football'