England has a massive problem on the flanks. If you’ve watched the Lionesses over the last eighteen months, you’ve seen it. The retirement of Rachel Daly from international football and the long-term injury struggles of Leah Williamson and others shifted the tectonic plates of the defense. It’s not just about finding a body to fill a gap. It’s about finding someone who can replicate the tactical flexibility that made this team European champions.
The full-back succession problem is the biggest hurdle between England and the 2027 World Cup trophy. For years, Lucy Bronze owned the right side. She’s a generational talent, but even the best can’t play forever. On the left, things are even more chaotic. We’ve seen a revolving door of converted wingers, naturally right-footed defenders playing out of position, and young prospects thrown into the deep end. It’s messy. If you liked this article, you should look at: this related article.
Why the old guard isn't the answer anymore
Let’s be honest about Lucy Bronze. She is still world-class, but her game has changed. She wanders. She tucks into midfield. She’s essentially a free-roaming playmaker who happens to start at right-back. When she’s caught out, the space behind her is a goldmine for elite wingers.
The issue isn't just age. It’s profile. Sarina Wiegman’s system relies on "inverted" movements or extreme high-pressing, depending on the opponent. In the past, Rachel Daly was the ultimate "Swiss Army Knife." She wasn’t a natural left-back, but she played the role with such tactical discipline that it didn't matter. Now that she’s gone, the Lionesses lack that steadying presence. For another angle on this development, check out the recent coverage from CBS Sports.
Alex Greenwood is the most gifted ball-player in the squad. Many fans scream for her to play left-back because of her crossing ability. But here's the catch. If you move Greenwood to the flank, you lose her elite progressive passing from the center-back spot. It’s a classic case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul." You fix the wing but break the buildup play.
The Niamh Charles Experiment
Niamh Charles is the name most people point to as the heir apparent. At Chelsea, she’s been a revelation. She’s aggressive, fit, and loves to get forward. On paper, she’s the perfect modern full-back.
But international football is a different beast. In the 2024 Nations League fixtures, we saw Charles struggle against top-tier pace. She’s great when England dominates possession, but when the Lionesses are under the cosh, her positioning can be suspect. She’s a winger by trade, and it shows in her defensive recovery lines.
To solve the succession problem, Wiegman has to decide if she wants a "defender-first" player or a "flying wing-back." If she sticks with Charles, she has to change how the holding midfielder covers that side. Keira Walsh can't do everything. You can't ask Walsh to dictate the tempo and also sprint thirty yards to cover a vacated left-back spot every time there’s a turnover.
Looking at the youth ranks for a permanent fix
If the current crop isn't quite hitting the mark, where do we look? The WSL is the best league in the world, yet English-born natural left-backs are surprisingly rare at the top level.
- Maya Le Tissier: She’s naturally a center-half or right-back, but her technical level is so high that she’s been trialed in various spots. She’s the future captain, but playing her out of position feels like a waste of her reading of the game.
- Jessica Naz: Often used further forward, but her physical profile suggests she could be converted. It’s a risk Wiegman usually avoids in big tournaments.
- Esme Morgan: Reliable, steady, but perhaps lacks the "X-factor" needed to overlap and create overloads against low blocks.
The real worry is that England is producing "hybrids" rather than specialists. We have ten players who can "do a job" at full-back, but nobody who owns the position like Demi Stokes or Casey Stoney once did.
Tactical shifts to hide the weakness
Wiegman isn't stubborn. She’s shown she can pivot. During the 2023 World Cup, she switched to a 3-5-2 (or 3-4-1-2) to mask the lack of wide defenders. It worked brilliantly for a while. By using wing-backs, she took the defensive "anchor" responsibility off players like Daly or Charles and let them focus on the final third.
However, the 4-3-3 is England’s DNA. If we can't find a world-class left-back, we might see a permanent move to a back three. This would allow Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, and Alex Greenwood to all play together in the middle. It’s a mouth-watering prospect, but it sacrifices a body in midfield.
The psychological cost of the revolving door
Stability wins trophies. Look at the 2022 Euros squad. You knew the starting XI before the bus even arrived at the stadium. That consistency builds "blind" chemistry. You know exactly where your teammate is without looking.
Right now, the England backline looks disjointed. Communication breaks down on crosses to the back post because the personnel changes every second camp. The full-back succession isn't just a talent problem. It’s a cohesion problem.
If Wiegman wants to defend the European title or chase the World Cup, she has to pick a horse and ride it. Even if that player makes mistakes, they need a run of ten games to feel like the shirt belongs to them. Constant rotation breeds anxiety.
What needs to happen right now
The solution isn't some secret tactical masterstroke. It's about development and commitment.
First, the FA needs to look at the pathway. We are over-producing central midfielders and wingers while neglecting the art of 1v1 defending on the flanks. It’s a systemic flaw in the RTC (Regional Talent Club) setups.
Second, Wiegman has to stop using "plugs." Stop putting right-footed players on the left and expecting them to overlap. It kills the tempo of the attack because they always have to cut back inside, allowing the defense to reset.
Finally, the Lionesses need to embrace the "specialist." If a young player at a mid-table WSL club is a natural, left-footed, defensive-minded full-back, get them in the camp. Don't wait until they sign for Arsenal or City.
The era of the "all-rounder" is hurting the defense. Go back to basics. Find players who actually enjoy defending. The flash and glamor of the wing-back role is great, but sometimes you just need a defender who won't let anyone past them. That's the only way England stays at the top of the FIFA rankings.
Watch the next round of friendlies closely. If we see a fourth different player starting at left-back in four games, know that the alarm bells should be ringing. Success isn't just about scoring goals. It's about making sure the other team can't find an inch of grass on the wings.
