Sarina Wiegman has announced her final England squad of 2025, with Freya Godfrey featuring for the first time in the squad which will face China and Ghana in late November and early December respectively.
The Lionesses are somewhat besieged by injury, and will be without captain Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Michelle Agyemang, Katie Reid and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton going into their final games of 2025.
For last month’s friendlies, there were some new names on the squad list: Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall, Liverpool’s Grace Fisk, Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds and West Ham’s Anouk Denton were all named in the squad, with Kendall winning player of the match in England’s 3-0 win over Australia.
The quartet all retain their spots in the squad to face China and Ghana, with a fresh face joining them: London City Lionesses’ young forward Freya Godfrey.
Freya Godfrey “brings something different”
The 20-year-old has been on fine form for London City, recently scoring a brace alongside an assist in the Lionesses’ 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. On the decision to hand Godfrey a callup, the England head coach highlighted her tenacity on return from injury.
“Yeah, I think she has done well. Of course, beginning of the season, she was injured. So, she came back strong. Also, what you see it in the pathway with her in the under 23s, she’s very close to that team too and I want to see her in our environment,” Wiegman said.
Referring to Godfrey’s qualities as a forward, the England boss was also complimentary, saying: “I think she brings something different. Shes’s a young player of course, she’s very excited. So yeah, I’m excited to see what she can bring in our in our squad.”
Asked if she offered any advice to the debutant, Wiegman affirmed that: “I said just go out there and play football and enjoy yourself and show what you can do next week.”
Returning from injury: Hemp and James
Two of England’s Euros-winning squad have featured little for their clubs this Autumn. Electric left winger Lauren Hemp was injured during a game for Manchester City early-on in the season, and James has only just started getting minutes for Chelsea again following an ankle injury picked up during the summer tournament.
Both missed the previous international window, however Hemp is back on the squad list for this one. Speaking about the forward, Wiegman was enthusiastic.
“First of all, it’s really nice for her, as she’s fit,” she said, before going on to highlight Hemp’s performance in City’s 3-0 drubbing of local rivals Manchester United: “I think she really enjoyed herself last weekend, we all could see that she had a good performance.”
Asked about the qualities Hemp brings to the squad, the head coach highlighted her famous pace: “Yeah, of course, she’s an important player for us with her, of course, left foot and pace. The attacking attributes she brings to the game. So I’m very happy to have her back.”
Whilst Hemp returns, Wiegman confirmed that the window has come “too soon” for James, who will stay with Chelsea for further rehabilitation.
Full squad
The full England squad for the friendly matches against China DPR and Ghana is below:
Goalkeepers: Sophie Baggaley, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
Defenders: Maya Le Tissier, Niamh Charles, Anouk Denton, Lucy Bronze, Grace Fisk, Taylor Hinds, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan
Midfielders: Laura Blinkilde-Brown, Grace Clinton, Ella Toone, Missy Bo Kearns, Georgia Stanway, Lucia Kendall, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Jess Park, Aggie Beever-Jones, Freya Godfrey, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo