Lionesses need Agyemang spark for Euro 2025 revival

Lionesses forward Michelle Agyemang announced herself again on Saturday night, even if her cameo lasted barely four minutes plus stoppage time. The 19-year-old Arsenal striker stepped off the bench with the Lionesses staring at a 2-0 deficit against France, immediately stretching the back line, winning a free-kick and helping create the chaos that led to Keira Walsh’s late consolation. It was only her second senior cap, yet the teenager did more to unsettle Les Bleues than most of England’s starting XI managed in 90 bruising minutes.

Why the Lionesses must unleash Michelle Agyemang

England’s European Championship title defence could derail alarmingly if Sarina Wiegman does not inject fresh energy. The Lionesses looked predictable in Saint-Étienne: ponderous in possession, short of ideas between the lines and alarmingly open at the back. Agyemang, by contrast, offers raw pace, direct running and an infectious fearlessness. Those qualities have been hallmarks of Wiegman’s most successful sides, yet they were conspicuously absent until the youngster arrived.

Reflecting on the France defeat

The 2-1 scoreline flattered England. Defensively, the Lionesses lost almost every aerial duel, while Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood struggled to contain Kadidiatou Diani’s movement. In midfield, Grace Geyoro dominated second balls, starving Ella Toone and Walsh of the control they usually exert. Up front Alessia Russo had a poacher’s effort ruled out for offside, but otherwise fed on scraps. With just one shot on target before the 87th minute, the Lionesses never looked like champions.

Agyemang’s skill-set fits the tactical puzzle

At Arsenal this season, Agyemang has thrived as both a central striker and an inverted winger. Her ability to dribble at pace and attack space behind full-backs would allow Wiegman to vary the Lionesses’ patterns, switching from patient build-up to fast transitions. She is also a robust presser; her 30-minute debut against Austria in April featured three ball recoveries in the final third and a thunderous left-foot strike into the top corner. Stats like those underline why Euro 2025 qualifying demands more minutes for her.

Lionesses depth chart: room for a joker

Competition for attacking berths is fierce, but each option brings a distinct profile. Russo thrives with crosses, Lauren Hemp excels in one-v-ones, Chloe Kelly supplies pinpoint deliveries, and Beth Mead drifts between lines. What the Lionesses still lack, particularly against top-ranked nations, is an unpredictable runner who forces defences to turn. Agyemang, with her combination of strength and acceleration, is that “joker in the pack”. Utilising her from the bench—or even starting her against tiring blocks—could transform England’s tempo.

Arsenal education sharpening the edges

Jonas Eidevall has carefully managed Agyemang’s minutes in North London, trusting her in cup games and late-match scenarios similar to Saturday’s. Training alongside proven winners like Vivianne Miedema and Stina Blackstenius has refined the teenager’s movement and decision-making. As a result, she already boasts the composure to square rather than shoot when a team-mate is better placed—an attribute Wiegman values highly.

Euro 2025 pathway still in England’s hands

Despite the setback, the Lionesses remain masters of their own destiny. The expanded finals in Switzerland offer 16 spots; England sit third in their qualifying group behind France and Sweden but host the Netherlands next. Three points at Wembley would swing the momentum, and that encounter feels tailor-made for Agyemang’s direct style. Dutch centre-backs Stefanie van der Gragt and Aniek Nouwen are dominant aerially but dislike runners in behind—exactly the spaces the teenager targets.

Tactical tweaks to maximise the Lionesses’ attack

1. Double-pivot protection: Reintroducing Georgia Stanway alongside Walsh would free Toone or Lauren James to float, reducing the defensive burden on the Lionesses’ back four.
2. Inverted wingers: Deploying Hemp on the right and Agyemang on the left allows both to cut inside and shoot, opening lanes for overlapping full-backs.
3. Early substitutions: Wiegman’s reluctance to gamble before the 70th minute cost the Lionesses in France; if a match drifts, Agyemang’s entrance should not be delayed.

Managing expectation without stifling flair

There is always risk in handing teenagers big responsibility. Yet tournaments are often shaped by breakout stars—remember Mead at Euro 2022 or Sydney Leroux at the 2012 Olympics. Agyemang’s joyful exuberance can lift a dressing room still nursing World Cup final scars. The Lionesses pride themselves on a growth mindset; giving genuine chances to academy-developed talent epitomises that ethos.

What the numbers say

• 3.9 – Average progressive carries per 90 minutes for Agyemang in the WSL, higher than any other English striker under 22.
• 0.58 – Expected goals plus expected assists per 90, ranking her inside the league’s top ten.
• 34% – Percentage of Arsenal attacks that flow through her flank when she plays, underlining her influence.

Historical echoes to exploit

The Lionesses have previously revitalised campaigns by trusting youth. Karen Carney’s 2005 Euro stunner and Fran Kirby’s 2015 World Cup burst both flipped narratives. Agyemang sits in that lineage, and her fearless nature can jolt more established team-mates out of their comfort zones.

Opinion: Time for Wiegman to roll the dice

Walsh’s late goal masked deeper issues, but the solution need not be radical—just braver. The Lionesses do not lack ability; they lack surprise. Agyemang offers that element. Starting her against the Netherlands might feel bold, yet greatness often demands calculated risk. In a qualification cycle that suddenly looks precarious, standing still is more dangerous than trusting a teenager who has already proved she belongs.

Bottom line: deploy Agyemang and the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 hopes stay vibrant; keep her on the bench and England may watch the party from home.