The four riddles Sarina Wiegman must solve if the Lionesses are to retain their Euro crown this year, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH
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The Lionesses are gearing up to defend their Euros crown in Switzerland at this year’s marquee football tournament. Here, Mail Sport analyses where England stand and the issues they must address before July…. Keira Walsh is England’s best player, the crucial link between defence and attack. She is the midfield pivot who allows England to play out from the back with efficiency and guile. The problem is, everybody knows that, so opponents regularly mark her out of the game.
![[It is down to Sarina Wiegman to get the best out of her midfield ace this summer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/23/93659689-14242199-image-m-4_1735774375570.jpg)
With Walsh shackled, England lack a creative spark and are often forced to go long. Spain and Aitana Bonmati kept the Barcelona midfielder in check during the World Cup final in 2023 and emerged triumphant. Playing another deep-lying midfielder next to Walsh could help, and Leicester’s 21-year-old Ruby Mace can fulfil that role. Mace impressed on her debut against Switzerland last month, looking calm and composed on the ball and defensively astute.
![[Ruby Mace (pictured) could be an option to play alongside Walsh in a holding midfield role]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/23/93659705-14242199-image-m-6_1735774442873.jpg)
Sarina Wiegman played Mace instead of Walsh on that occasion, but the two could play together, enabling Walsh to get higher up the pitch to produce her world-class long-range passes, safe in the knowledge there was someone behind her to tidy up. Keira Walsh is England's best player and must be allowed to dictate the tempo of the game.
![[Lauren James proved her class at the 2023 World Cup but has battled with injuries since]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/23/93659693-14242199-image-m-8_1735774554741.jpg)
It is down to Sarina Wiegman to get the best out of her midfield ace this summer. Ruby Mace (pictured) could be an option to play alongside Walsh in a holding midfield role. In the most recent international week, England had only four shots on target and scored one goal across the games against the USA and Switzerland, the latter side ranked 23rd in the world.
![[Lauren Hemp has also been sidelined, and it is imperative that she is back fit for the Euros]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/23/93659691-14242199-image-a-9_1735774587239.jpg)
