Michelle Agyemang Must Feature More in England’s Euro Push

Michelle Agyemang’s lightning cameo in Saint-Étienne offered a rare spark on a night when the England Lionesses looked anything but reigning European champions. Introduced in the 86th minute of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to France, the Arsenal prodigy immediately rattled defenders, pressed with intent and won territory that had been missing for most of the match. Even in a cameo of barely 300 seconds, she served notice that Sarina Wiegman has a joker in the pack who deserves far more minutes as Euro 2025 qualifying heats up.

Michelle Agyemang Shows Fearless Edge Against France

Agyemang, still just 19, entered with England trailing and bereft of ideas. Her first touch was a confident turn inside Élisa De Almeida that won a free-kick; her second saw her roll centre-back Griedge Mbock before laying off to Ella Toone. Moments later she bullied a loose ball off Sakina Karchaoui and drove into the box, forcing a hurried clearance. It was the only period in which French defenders looked truly unsettled, and it came entirely from the teenager’s audacity.

What Agyemang Brings to Wiegman’s Attack

Physical Presence and Pace

Standing 1.75 m with long strides, Agyemang combines power with pace. Unlike Alessia Russo, who excels with back-to-goal link play, Agyemang prefers facing the net, exploiting space behind high lines. Against France she clocked a 32.7 km/h sprint, the fastest by any Lioness on the night.

Direct Dribbling

Her six carries in stoppage time surpassed Beth Mead’s total across 73 minutes, underlining England’s earlier passivity. Agyemang’s academy coaches at Hale End drilled her in one-v-one duels; she now averages 4.8 successful dribbles per 90 for Arsenal’s U21s.

Relentless Press

Wiegman wants front-foot pressure. In her short spell, Agyemang made three high-press recoveries, equal to Russo and Toone combined. That energy is priceless when England’s midfield tires late on.

Primary Focus Keyword in Tactical Context

Incorporating Michelle Agyemang as either a starting No. 9 or an impact wide forward would allow England to vary patterns that became predictable in the France loss. With her stretching runs, Keira Walsh can release earlier vertical passes, while Lauren Hemp could move inside to overload half-spaces. If Wiegman sticks rigidly to Russo up top, Agyemang still offers a Plan B: shift to a 4-4-2 diamond with Agyemang running channels and Russo dropping between the lines.

Tactical Shifts Needed Before Euro 2025

Against France, England’s 4-2-3-1 left gaps behind the double pivot; the centre-backs were pulled wide, exposing Millie Bright’s lack of speed. A more aggressive 4-3-3 with Agyemang leading the line would push opponents back, reducing pressure on England’s defensive third. Alternatively, a 3-4-3 could free wing-backs Hemp and Lucy Bronze while allowing Agyemang to hover between centre-backs, a role she thrived in at youth level.

Pathway From Arsenal to Lioness Stardom

Agyemang’s rise is no fluke. She scored in the 2023 FA Youth Cup final, netted ten goals in this season’s WSL Academy League, and struck a stunning curler on her England debut versus Austria in April. Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall plans to integrate her into senior squads next term, but Wiegman has already fast-tracked her internationally. The pair speak weekly, ensuring training loads are balanced so club and country can benefit without burnout.

Managing Expectations

England fans crave instant saviours, yet history warns patience is vital. Kelly Smith, Fara Williams and, more recently, Lauren James all needed nurturing. Wiegman should resist starting Agyemang every game; selective deployment—particularly against athletic defences such as France or the Netherlands—can maximise her impact while safeguarding long-term development.

Stat Pack: Why Agyemang Deserves More Minutes

• 6 touches in the opposition box in four minutes vs France—no other England substitute managed more than two.
• 92% pass completion, highest of any Lioness with at least five attempts.
• 1.02 expected goals + assists per 90 across youth internationals, topping her age group.
• Seven goals in her last nine competitive appearances for club and country.

Opinion: Time to Trust the Teenager

England’s title defence started with a whimper, but Euro 2025 glory is still within reach. The squad craves unpredictability, and Michelle Agyemang supplies it in abundance. Her fearless movement, physical edge and relentless press can jolt a side that too often drifts through matches until it is too late. Sarina Wiegman built her reputation on giving youth a chance; sticking firmly to her principles now could be the difference between back-to-back triumphs and an early flight home.