Emma Hayes has told Sarina Wiegman to keep England’s Euro 2025 semi-final hero Michelle Agyemang on the bench against Spain on Sunday.
The Lionesses lock horns with Spain in the Euro 2025 final this weekend, looking for revenge after losing the World Cup final to them two years ago.
England are hoping to defend their crown – having won Euro 2022 – but it won’t be an easy task against a strong Spanish side packed with talent.
Wiegman’s side almost crashed out in the last four to Italy before super substitute Agyemang netted a 96th-minute equaliser to force extra-time.
Agyemang also came to England’s rescue in the quarter-final victory over Sweden, with the Lionesses 2-1 down before she scored late-on to take the game to penalties.
The 19-year-old Arsenal forward has now produced three goals in just four England caps – but Hayes is adamant she shouldn’t start against Spain.
Hayes: Russo should start instead of Agyemang
Hayes, manager of the United States (USWNT), the most successful international team in women’s football, believes Alessia Russo should start for England in the Euro 2025 final instead of Agyemang.
The 48-year-old Englishwoman, known for her incredibly successful spell in charge of Chelsea from 2012 to 2024, told The Guardian: ‘Sarina Wiegman should [not] necessarily change her starting team.
‘As good as Michelle’s Agyemang’s impact has been with her three goals in four caps, it is another jump up to do it from the start.
‘There is so much a starting centre-forward has to do other than score goals, including to set the press, and Alessia Russo knows that role inside out.
‘I cannot see Sarina changing that, and the strategy of players coming from the bench is working, even if the time for them to make an impact is getting shorter and shorter.’
‘Don’t fix what isn’t broken’
Agyemang’s 15.17 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes is the most of any England player at Euro 2025.
But former England striker Rachel Daly and ex-Lionesses goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain have both echoed Hayes’ stance.
‘Don’t fix what isn’t broken,’ Daly said on the Daly Brightness podcast. ‘People will call out ‘start them’ but there is so much to be said for people who can come on and make a difference. It’s really difficult to do.’
Chamberlain, meanwhile, told the BBC: ‘I don’t think Sarina Wiegman’s going to change her team at all.
‘England play the game for their substitutes – Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were the ones in the last Euros. This year she’s got the same [with Agyemang and Chloe Kelly].
‘She’s got her trusted 11. There have been a couple of tweaks but not much, and she knows she has talent to come off the bench and change the game when she needs it.’
