The importance of young talent on the bench to create a squad of European Champions

The talent goes beyond those starting on the pitch 

Following the Lionesses victory in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, it was clear that every single player was key to their success. Although only eleven are on the pitch at once, all twenty-three play a part in lifting the EURO trophy.

Looking back on 2022, players including Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were used as impact substitutes; they changed the game in the second half. Now, they are regular starters in a squad of European Champions.

Since this tournament, Sarina Wiegman’s England experienced several changes: from players retiring or taking breaks, to junior players upgrading to senior, more experienced footballers on the international stage. The squad depth and abundance of talent on the bench is vital to England’s tactical plan. Without young stars stepping on to the pitch and taking their moment, the Lionesses would not have become back-to-back European Champions.

Five young players in particular are emerging as future starters in Wiegman’s side: Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Niamh Charles, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Michelle Agyemang. But what do they bring to a determined England squad, and how do they encourage success and belief?

Grace Clinton

This is not Clinton’s first rodeo as a member of the senior England squad. The young Lioness signed for Manchester United in July 2022 on a three-year contract. Prior to regular appearances in red, she was on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, where her exceptional performances in the midfielder caught Wiegman’s eye. She received her first senior call-up in October 2023. Her first opportunity to showcase her brilliance on the international stage. 

In February Clinton earned her debut. First senior caps do not get much better than Clinton’s: only nineteen minutes into her arrival on the pitch she scored. However, her goalscoring abilities are not only notable for England, but also domestically. A phenomenal goal against Aston Villa during the Adobe Women's FA Cup, earned her the award of goal of the season.  

Clinton was one of the options to replace Georgia Stanway earlier this year, when the experienced midfielder was sidelined due to an injury. This opportunity proved herself worthy of a spot on the team for her first major tournament. She has the strength to hold up the ball; she is not afraid to cause problems for rival players. Alongside this, her forward vision and ability to create space in the wider areas on the pitch contribute to her fearless confidence when it comes to taking shots. When Clinton receives the ball in the box, opposition fear her ability to put it away past the backline.

Jess Park

Park currently plays her club football for Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Although this is not Park’s first call-up as a senior Lioness, this is her first major tournament. She was on the standby list for the World Cup in 2023, where she trained with the squad but narrowly missed out through withdrawal due to a shoulder injury. 

 Park is a little pocket rocket. She is so quick on her feet. A key quality she possesses is passing through defenders like they are bowling pins. Her speed, combined with her dribbling equips her with the perfect package to win those one-on-one moments with defenders: she manages to stay composed when under pressure from opposing teams. The midfielder has no fear and is not afraid to get involved and try to win the ball, both in and out of possession. 

 As a midfielder, she is capable of pressing forward, which helps to create more scoring opportunities. Not only is she willing to make accurate passes that often become assists, but she is also able to shoot from range, with a great accuracy on target. Attacking midfield is not the only position the youngster plays. On several occasions she switches to the wing, where she appears equally as comfortable. If there is one thing that you can count on, it is her ability to drive forward and create chances as a versatile player. 

Niamh Charles

In the senior squad, there are not many defensive substitutes. Specifically, there are not many options for players from the bench that can replace Lucy Bronze, her fellow Chelsea teammate. However, Charles has proved to be a strong contender as an English right-back for Bronze’s inevitable retirement. Right-back is not the only defensive position that Charles can play; she is also comfortable playing a wing-back or left back. 

In her early years, Charles started out as a forward before changing to a more defensive position. This can be seen in how relaxed she is when she makes more offensive decisions regarding play, as well as the top quality of her ball control when dribbling and her acceleration. Although she is a defender, she is not phased in attacking movements. In fact, she sometimes takes shots and makes assists. Notably, she made two assists in a game against Spurs in the WSL and scored two goals just last season. 

Her physicality allows her to put in a good fight when competing in those aerial battles between players for the ball. That determination to possess the ball is also evident when she makes standing tackles. Charles has such a wide range of qualities that allow her to be a threat to attacking players both offensively and defensively. 

Aggie Beever-Jones

Beever-Jones loves to score. And no doubt she is amazing at it. It’s why she is currently signed to the top WSL team, Chelsea. She is such a perfect fit for a team that thrives on success, as she clearly enjoys winning moments.

 In the 2024/25 season, she was Chelsea’s top goal scorer with nine goals in the league, and thirteen across all competitions. This did not dwindle at all when she became a senior Lioness; in fact, in her debut match she scored a thirty-minute hat-trick. England beat Portugal 6-0 in May in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, thanks to her clinical finishes. Her first goal was scored only three minutes into the match. 

Her versatility as a forward is unique and impressive. She is able to play as a central striker, on the wings and as a number ten. There is no limit on her ability to create chances and score goals as she scored from all areas on the pitch: the centre, left and right wing, even when coming on as a second half substitute. When watching the young forward play, it is like she is full control of the ball and no defender can break her play down: her dribbling is effortless yet controlled, and her calm demeanour with the ball remains, even when defenders are actively challenging her. 

Michelle Agyemang

 It has to be said that this list would not be complete if Agyemang was not mentioned. The definition of impact from the bench is the young forward, especially considering her form in the EURO.  

 This EURO campaign is the young Lioness’ debut as part of the national team. At only nineteen years old, she has already scored three goals for the team: the equalising goal in the quarter-final game against Sweden, and the semi-final against Italy, and in her debut match against Belgium in the Nations League. Her debut goal came from a moment of brilliance stepping on to the pitch in the dying minutes, giving England belief. Agyemang is currently signed to Arsenal but was on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion for the 2024/25 season. 

Agyemang’s shining strength is her commitment to finishing. Her dedication to putting balls in the box did not just start here at senior level; she scored ten goals in twelve appearances for the England Under-17s and the winning goal playing for the Under-23s against Portugal. She lingers and occupies tight spaces in the penalty box to make those finishes even when surrounded by many defenders. These goals are not about technical finishes or showcasing her skills, instead simply to help her team. As a player, she has the reliability to score goals that managers can weaponize]se against the opposition. She defies the odds in a way that cannot be foreseen by any defender. 

Throughout the tournament, she has been such an integral part of the Lionesses’ success, rightfully earning her the term ‘super-sub’. Her goal in the semi-final was the ultimate goal that sent the Lionesses to the final. If there is one thing that can be said about Agyemang it is that nothing will stop her from finishing, not even pressure. In her first major tournament she was not phased by anything. As the youngest player in the squad, she showed maturity and perfection in the box when they needed a spark. The title European Champions is the first of many. The future is beyond bright for Agyemang.