Sarina Wegman: How do lionesses solve the problem of linebacker succession?

In England’s four friendlies to the end of 2025, coach Sarina Wegmann has fielded three different players at left-back, Bronze and Maya Le Tissier at right-back.

The Dutchman has made it clear she believes Le Tissier is the current backup option for Bronze despite leading Manchester United at centre-back.

Versatile Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan, who impressed at centre-back during Euro 2025, is also capable of playing on the right side.

Speaking about her role in October, Morgan said: “I can play in different positions and I think that over the course of my career that has allowed me to get a lot more minutes than I would now if I was just tight-lipped in one position.

“When I was at Manchester City, I played the vast majority of my minutes as a full-back, which was really helpful in terms of being vulnerable.” [to playing] Against world-class wingers. It’s all part of your development.

“Versatility is a big strength but I think my best attributes might serve me to be more useful at centre-back.”

In Le Tissier, Morgan and Gotham FC defender Jess Carter, Wiegman has players who can switch positions in the back four, despite centre-back being their preferred role.

The same can be said for Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood, who has been one of England’s most consistent players under Wegman.

She was overlooked at centre-back at Euro 2022 with Wegman selecting Millie Bright and Leah Williamson, and started five of the six matches at Euro 2025 at left-back after Carter’s failed trial of playing there in the defeat to France.

Greenwood, 32, has been a solid solution, but England have been scouting at a rapid pace recently, so Wegman needed to broaden his search.

Bay FC called up defender Anouk Denton last October, who is primarily a right-back but can play as a left-back, and persuaded Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds to switch allegiance from Jamaica to England at the end of last year.

Hinds started the wins against Australia and Ghana at left-back in October and December respectively, while Chelsea’s Niamh Charles has struggled with injuries but has also played in that position.

The latest option is London City Lions left-back Bobby Pattinson, who has been called up for World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland in March.

“[Pattinson] Playing as a left-back, he is very proactive and takes a lot of initiative. “She likes to get forward and can cover the whole wing on the left side,” Wegman said.

“She looks for forward passes which I think are really good. Even though she’s not the tallest, she uses her body well in defence.

“I’ve seen different options. [Pattinson] He is now one of them and Taylor [Hinds] I played there. “Both at left-back and right-back, we are finding out what is best for the team.”