The reigning European champions boast a talented squad that leaves them well-stocked in most areas, but they are facing a familiar issue in defence
For almost as long as Sarina Wiegman has been England head coach, the left-back position has been an issue. Taking over not long before Demi Stokes' international career was starting to wind down, owing to injuries as much as anything else, and while Alex Greenwood was swapping her full-back role for a central one that she has arguably become world-class in, the Lionesses have lacked natural options on the left-hand side of defence for several years now. As the reigning European champions prepare to defend their continental title this summer, in Wiegman's third major tournament in charge, that very much remains the case.
In November, it looked like she had found a solution. Greenwood and Jess Carter, another versatile centre-back who can play full-back on either side, fluidly interchanged on the left to add balance and solidity to a back line that kept a clean sheet against the United States, the Olympic champions. However, a knee injury sustained by Greenwood just two weeks later has thrown her availability for the Euros in doubt.
England have been fortunate in that the Manchester City star's absence has at least coincided with the return to fitness of Niamh Charles, the forward-turned-defender who plays on the left for Chelsea. But recent weeks have seen the Lionesses dealt another stumbling block, as the player who has become their best option for their most problematic position isn't getting the game time at club level that is going to best prepare her for a starting role at a major tournament.
Getty ImagesCharles' battle for minutes
When Charles initially returned from her shoulder injury in early December, all seemed well again for England on the left-back front. She started eight of Chelsea's next 11 games, taking her into the February international break in a good place. That showed in her performances for the Lionesses, too, as the 25-year-old offered plenty in both boxes, won eight of her 10 tackles and generally provided a steady, assured presence on the left flank across the draw with Portugal and a spirited victory over Spain.
However, it is since coming out of that international break that Charles' game time has dwindled at club level. The England international started only three of the Blues' eight games in March, playing just 10 total minutes from the bench in the other five matches.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBaltimore's electric form
It's not necessarily her fault, either, but rather because of the electric form of Sandy Baltimore, the French winger who signed from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. Sonia Bompastor, the Chelsea boss, has moved her compatriot into a defensive role and she has thrived, offering a dynamic attacking threat and lightning recovery pace while refining her off-ball work impressively.
"I'm lucky enough to have two really good left-backs. Niamh is one of them also. That's a luxury to be the Chelsea manager and to have to pick one of them," Bompastor said last week, after Baltimore had starred in the Blues' remarkable comeback from 2-0 down in their Champions League quarter-final against Man City. "I think they bring different qualities into our squad and into our team.
"Sandy is having a really good season. Left-back is not her favourite position. I just felt like she brings so much confidence in the ball when she plays in that position. She's able to hold the ball under pressure and she has a really good left foot. She can deliver really great balls. That's important, depending on the games, to have this quality with Sandy. She's making an impact in her first season for us. I'm really pleased for her."
Getty ImagesRight-footed defence
Bompastor's note about Baltimore's wicked left foot was another reminder of something England lack in their problem position, even when Charles is fit. The Lionesses' squad is incredibly right-footed, particularly in defence, where Greenwood is often their only left-footer.
Wiegman admitted back in October that it is "ideal in possession" to have that left-footed defender, "because that makes it a little bit easier," she said. Those comments came after a 4-3 loss to Germany in which Carter played at left-back. The Gotham star, like Charles, is adept with both feet, but natural on her right.
"We have the same problem in Germany," Christian Wuck, Wiegman's opposite number that day, added. "We have two right-footed players playing on the left. There's a shortage for us. It's something we need to address in our academies and our training and the players we're bringing through. I wouldn't say that we necessarily exposed England's faults, just that on the day our players manage to take advantage of right-footed players playing in a left-footed position."
Getty ImagesLack of depth
There are questions that can be asked of Wiegman during her near-four years in charge when it comes to this left-back position. Could she have looked at other options to try and strengthen the depth there? Perhaps. In her defence, though, there have not been too many players really putting their hands up for a chance.
Manchester United fans have often called for Hannah Blundell to get a call-up, owing to her performances on the left in the north-west – though she, too, is right-footed. Gabby George, now also a Red Devil, has had some opportunities under Wiegman, but has never nailed down a regular spot in her squads. Poppy Pattinson, often part of the Under-23 squad, is someone whose case seemed to gain traction in the early portion of this season, but her form for Brighton has been up-and-down at times since, though it would not be a surprise to see her work her way into the senior picture over time.
