The four riddles Sarina Wiegman must solve if the Lionesses are to retain their Euro crown this year, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH

The Lionesses are preparing to defend their European Championship crown in Switzerland during this year’s major football tournament.

Here, Mail Sport analyzes where England stand and what issues they need to address before July…

Release Keira from the leash

Keira Walsh is England’s best player and the crucial link between defense and attack. She is the lynchpin in midfield who allows England to play efficiently and cunningly at the back. The problem is that everyone knows that, so opponents regularly mark her out of the game.

With Walsh in chains, England lack a creative spark and are often forced to play long. Spain and Aitana Bonmati kept the Barcelona midfielder under control during the 2023 World Cup final and emerged triumphant.

Playing another deep-lying midfielder alongside Walsh could help, and Leicester’s 21-year-old Ruby Mace can fill that role. Mace impressed on her debut against Switzerland last month. She looked calm and collected on the ball and was astute defensively.

Sarina Wiegman played Mace instead of Walsh on that occasion, but the two were able to play together, allowing Walsh to move higher up the pitch and produce her world-class long-range passes, safe in the knowledge that there was someone behind her to clear up.

It is up to Sarina Wiegman to get the best out of her midfielder this summer

Ruby Mace (pictured) could be an option to play alongside Walsh in a midfield role

Keep the Laurens fit

In the most recent international week, England had just four shots on target and scored one goal in the games against the US and Switzerland, with the latter side ranked 23rd in the world.

That this happened in the absence of star strikers Lauren James and Lauren Hemp – both of whom have been out of action for club and country due to injury – is no coincidence.

James, 24, broke onto the international stage at the 2023 World Cup, showing an uncanny ability to create chances out of thin air. At times the ball seems to stick to the Chelsea player’s feet as she glides past defenders, and she has the ability to finish from long range as well as wreak havoc in the opposition’s penalty area.

Hemp initially flew under the radar – perhaps because she is regularly the player who sets the goals, rather than taking the glory – but her absence becomes more acute with every game. She is lightning fast and one of the best finishers in England.

Alessia Russo’s welcome return to her best goalscoring form will provide Wiegman with some consolation, but the Lionesses manager won’t be able to rest easy until the two Laurens return in the coming weeks and complete her exciting attacking triumvirate.

Lauren James proved her class at the 2023 World Cup, but has been struggling with injuries since then

Lauren Hemp has also been sidelined and it is imperative that she is fit again for the European Championships

Who goes in goal?

England had improved greatly defensively in the last two games, with Leah Williamson returning to form and confidence, Lucy Bronze at her ageless best, and Millie Bright and Jess Carter characteristically solid. While the news that Alex Greenwood underwent knee surgery last month will be cause for concern, there is still hope that this will not hinder her path to the European Championships.

And England also have plenty of options at the back, with Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier impressing this season.

However, there is still one uncertainty: the goalkeeper. Wiegman has rotated Hannah Hampton and Mary Earps based on club form, with Hampton firmly establishing herself under Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea in a way that Earps struggled with when she first moved to PSG.

The 31-year-old Earps has since consolidated her position as number 1 at the French club and has traditionally been the most convincing of the pair in an England shirt.

Earps’ penalty save in the World Cup final and that reaction still sticks in the memory, and her mastery of the box means she is still ahead of Hampton. In any case, for the sake of stability at the back, Wiegman will have to make a choice sooner or later.

Mary Earps has never let England down, but her place in goal is in jeopardy heading into the European Championship

Wiegman must decide whether to stay with the more experienced Earps or go for Hannah Hampton (photo)

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Ensure good rotation

This England squad is bursting at the seams with young, raw talent, with Grace Clinton, Jess Park and Jess Naz Wiegman all giving something to think about this year.

Sometimes Wiegman has become too predictable. Gone are the days when Russo and Ella Toone could be brought on in the 70th minute to wake up opponents. This Lionesses team is worked out and the solution is to mix things up.

As Manchester United’s number 10, Clinton has probably made the strongest case for himself this year. The 21-year-old has made just five senior appearances, but she shows a natural leadership on the pitch that far surpasses her years.

That she was the only goalscorer in England’s last two games is testament to her ability to bring something different to this team.