It's fair to say England's homecoming didn't go to plan on Saturday. Returning to action for the first time since winning the European Championship this past summer, the Lionesses were 2-0 down just 18 minutes into their meeting with Brazil, and despite the visitors going down to 10 players not long after scoring that second, England could not make their numerical advantage count in a disappointing 2-1 defeat. What will have made the loss even more frustrating for some, though, was that it came amid a lack of experimentation from Sarina Wiegman.
"It's really good that we have four friendlies over these couple of months," the manager had said in her pre-match press conference. "What you also want to do is try out new things, see players, see different combinations, so there's a huge opportunity." Yet, the line up she wheeled out for the first instalment of this four-legged 'homecoming series' was mainly made up of the Lionesses' tried and trusted stars, featuring six players who started the Euro 2025 final and, in Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, two established names who were regular substitutes during that tournament.
There are two sides to that story. Brazil are a top team, the South American champions no less, and to experiment too much could put any young and inexperienced players at the heart of that in a situation with more negatives than positives. "We brought players into the squad that are in our environment for the first time," Wiegman noted after Saturday's defeat. "So let's see how they adapt to the situation."
However, this ongoing international break and the one coming up in late November are the only windows England have to really try out different things until at least October 2026, because of the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup beginning in February. It's a period Wiegman and the Lionesses absolutely must take advantage of, in order to see which fresh faces are ready to be a part of this team as that new cycle starts.
So, which players should the England boss be looking at giving an opportunity? Ahead of Tuesday's clash with Australia, GOAL picks out six names…
Getty ImagesAnna Moorhouse
One of the most significant names in Wiegman's starting line up on Saturday was that of Khiara Keating, the 21-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper who was granted a senior international debut at the Etihad Stadium, of all places. The young shot-stopper started a little nervously but grew into the game as England finally addressed the fact that Hannah Hampton, who missed the game with injury, was the only capped goalkeeper in the squad.
However, that doesn't mean that issue is now solved. Injuries happen in football and the way that unit is fixed right now, it is vulnerable to being put in a difficult position if something was to happen, as neither Anna Moorhouse nor Sophie Baggaley, called up in light of Hampton's injury, have a cap to their name still.
Moorhouse has been around this group for a while now. She earned her first call-up in July 2024 and has not missed a camp since, with her part of the squad that won Euro 2025. Yet, she's still waiting for that debut, and Tuesday would be a great time to grant it, particularly with there no need to risk Hampton despite Wiegman admitting that she is progressing well ahead of that game.
Aged 30, Moorhouse has plenty of club experience, helping the Orlando Pride to win the NWSL Shield and Championship last year, so already presents a solid option in between the sticks. A taste of international experience, though, would certainly be beneficial if she was to be called upon in unexpected circumstances in the future.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLaura Blindkilde Brown
England don't have much established depth in the deeper midfield positions, behind Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, but they do have one of the Women's Super League's most in-form players in that department in their squad for this window, in Laura Blindkilde Brown. The 22-year-old has been playing brilliantly, and consistently, for Manchester City at the start of this new season and looks like a perfect solution to the issue the Lionesses have in that area.
Surprisingly, given her form, Blindkilde Brown didn't get on the pitch at the Etihad on Saturday, with Wiegman opting to throw on Michelle Agyemang for the final few minutes when she withdrew Stanway. One would expect a little rotation for Tuesday's clash with Australia, though, and Blindkilde Brown should be right near the front of the queue when it comes to who is presented an opportunity in that situation.
The former Aston Villa star only has one cap to her name so far, but should be a player who adds to that total plenty over the course of this next cycle as she looks to grow into an important piece for England.
Getty ImagesLucia Kendall
For similar reasons, it would make sense for Wiegman to get a little look at Lucia Kendall in action in this camp, too. The 21-year-old has come through the youth ranks and now stepped into the senior picture as the Lionesses look to build up that depth in midfield, having started her first season at Aston Villa, and first in the WSL, strongly.
Wiegman's comments about seeing how the newcomers in camp adapt to the environment may suggest that Kendall, accepting her first senior call-up, will have to wait for her opportunity. However, the England boss did give debuts to both Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace during their first camps last December, and the word is that Kendall is settling in nicely. It would be nice to see the midfielder – who can also play at right-back, which is another position of concern for the Lionesses when it comes to depth – get a few minutes off the bench before the window is out.
Getty ImagesAggie Beever-Jones
Wiegman didn't make many subs on Saturday, but she did still give Aggie Beever-Jones a good 30-minute run-out, albeit in a wide role. England are lacking wingers in this camp, owing to injuries for Lauren James and Lauren Hemp and then the withdrawals of both Jess Park and Grace Clinton, so there was something of a needs-must factor involved in the decision.
However, Beever-Jones has scored more WSL goals this season than any other England international while largely playing in a central position. It's one she has essentially become the back-up for in this Lionesses squad, with Alessia Russo unlikely to lose her starting spot anytime soon, but there is a need for the Chelsea star to make more starts there in order to build greater understanding and chemistry with those who will be providing the service to her when she is in that role.
Given Russo is almost always going to be in the England line up when competitive action rolls around, friendlies are a good chance to give Beever-Jones that time on the pitch. Throw in that Russo is much less likely to be rotated out of the XI at Arsenal as well, compared to Beever-Jones in a more stacked Chelsea squad, and giving the Gunners' centre-forward a rest is another reason to switch things up in attack on Tuesday.