If you want proof of what England vs Spain means to the players you only need to watch Leah Williamson.
Sarina Wiegman said in her pre-match press conference that there were ‘question marks’ over the defender’s inclusion with the Lionesses captain not playing for almost a month, but she is doing everything she can to prove she’s fit enough to lead her team out at Wembley on Tuesday.
If the world champions weren’t coming to town, there’s no chance Williamson would be in contention to start with so many important games for club and country over the next two months.
The Arsenal centre-back, however, has been doing double duty by working privately with the medical team as well as taking part in all the tactical preparations at St George’s Park.
Only the team topping the four-nation group are guaranteed to qualify for the World Cup, which means this match could define who goes to Brazil.
Try telling Williamson she’s missing out on such an important game.
England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman confirms that Lionesses’ captain Leah Williamson remains a doubt for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Spain. The Arsenal defender hasn’t played since mid-March due to a hamstring injury.
If Williamson isn’t risked, however, two of England’s most patient players may be the centre-back partnership instead.
Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan are battling it out with Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood and Maya Le Tissier but both have been given game-time during the recent qualifiers.
Wubben-Moy has been the ultimate squad player, being an unused substitute during the World Cup in 2023 and both successful Euros campaigns.
She’s only played 16 times since her first call-up almost six years ago with most appearances coming against nations England were expected to beat.
Lotte Wubben-Moy could deputise for Leah Williamson for England this week, as she has done for Arsenal this season
The 27-year old admits she’s had many doubts during her international career, but no one looks at the game like Wubben-Moy.
The Arsenal defender told us about how closely she’s been with her partner Tao Geoghan-Hart to analyse not just her performances but also what her body needs to be at peak physical fitness.
She also puts the rigours of football into perspective with community work, which was evident when players from her own foundation made the long trip from East London to cheer her on at training last week.
Morgan’s pathway to starting centre-back has been different.
Esme Morgan could also feature for England in Leah Williamson’s absence
Starved of minutes at her beloved Manchester City, the centre-back took a huge career risk by moving to Washington Spirit.
It paid off. Morgan’s developed massively since moving to the States and she’s played a huge part in her club making it to back-to-back NWSL Championship games.
Lining up together in front of 70,000 plus fans at Wembley together would be a full circle moment for Morgan and Wubben-Moy given they were called-up for the first time in the same camp in 2020.
They’ve spent many hours on the bench together, now England’s most patient players may be their most crucial as they take on the world’s number one ranked nation.
