Houghton could regret "closure" comments after Williamson's injury nightmare
"I thought I was probably in the best position over March and April but sometimes no matter what you do, you’re not going to please someone. I just want closure on the situation.
"Have I got a chance or is it not possible? But I understand she can’t provide that closure because there’s a World Cup coming up and you’ve got to have as many players available."
They were the words of Steph Houghton on BBC radio earlier this month after missing out an England squad for the sixth time in a row. And the Man City defender and former England captain may well have had a point.
She was excellent in a 2-0 win over Chelsea that reignited the WSL title race a few weeks back, giving a performance that led many to suspect she might make the April cut. Her club form in general over recent months has been very good. Yet when Wiegman named her party of players, once again Houghton was a notable absentee.
When asked about her decision in a pre-Finalissima media conference, the England coach said: "At the moment she’s (Houghton) in a hard position because I don’t want to take out the players who are in that position, because they’re doing really well." Wiegman would never have criticised Houghton publicly in a million years. Simply put, that isn't her style.
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But it wouldn't take codebreakers to gather from her message, that perhaps Houghton didn't need to worry about renewing her passport in preparation for a long haul flight to Australia this summer. This was something close to the "closure" that Houghton talked about.
Leah Williamson receives medical treatment after suffering an ACL injury (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Only weeks later though, England suddenly look a little short of international experience at centre-back thanks to an unexpected double injury blow. Most disappointingly, Leah Williamson will miss the World Cup having suffered a ruptured ACL when turning in the Leigh Sports Village turf last week.
The Lionesses skipper is out of the tournament, meaning England have lost yet another play key to their Euro 2022 campaign, this time in the heart of defence. Millie Bright is also still missing from the Chelsea team after first picking up a knee cartilage injury last month against Lyon and was still on crutches last weekend before the game against Barcelona.
Although Wiegman remained confident a few weeks back that Bright would make the tournament, her ongoing absence is cause for concern. If she was also to lose her fitness battle, the Lionesses would be suddenly down 109 caps in the middle of defence.
The likes of Maya Le Tissier, Jess Carter, and Lotte Wubben-Moy will all be vying for a place, while Alex Greenwood could be shifted from left-back, as she was in the win over Brazil. But England would still be lacking real leadership at the back.
Surely if that happens, Houghton would be the perfect recall. She has 121 caps and three World Cups under her belt, as well as Olympic tournament experience and two European Championships. The 35-year-old knows international football.
Houghton has excelled alongside Greenwood since her recall to the City starting XI earlier in the season and the two seem to compliment each other well. On paper it looks a straightforward call.
But very few international managers take kindly to their squad selections being called out publicly. Wiegman may have a friendly demeanour but can be ruthless when required, like all top coaches. She had no fears about dropping Houghton from the squad last year and won't give two thoughts to any reaction over Houghton not being included again.
Clearly Houghton feels she has done all she can to impress the Dutch coach and she needed an outlet to voice her frustrations. But had the former skipper refrained from questioning the decision, her chances of representing the Lionesses at yet another major tournament would be much stronger.
The injuries to Williamson and Bright means the centre of England's defence will definitely look different this summer, even if the Chelsea centre-half returns to fitness. But I'd still expect Wiegman to look towards youth rather than the old guard this summer.
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