It’s been a worrying few weeks for England head coach Sarina Wiegman. Chelsea defender Millie Bright was sidelined with a knee injury just before the April international window and last week, Leah Williamson tore her anterior cruciate ligament in Arsenal’s Women’s Super League defeat to Manchester United. Williamson’s injury will keep her out of the World Cup.
Wiegman now faces the potential of a potentially era-defining tournament without her two starting centre-backs. There is more optimism around Bright returning to the fold in time for the tournament but England’s disappointing recent performances against Brazil and Australia highlighted her importance.
Williamson has played different roles this season for club and country. She was expected to be used in a holding midfielder role for the remainder of the season at Arsenal as Kim Little had been ruled out indefinitely but regardless of where Williamson would have played in Australia and New Zealand, Wiegman has a gap in her defence.
So who are the top options to start alongside Bright for England this summer?
Alex Greenwood
Greenwood is already part of Wiegman’s squad and the fact she’s left-footed makes her a natural replacement for Williamson, who plays at left-sided centre-back — even though she’s…
