Should Agyemang & Kelly start Euros final?

Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly proved to be England’s angels, not for the first time.

With one minute to go in the semi-final on Tuesday, the Lionesses were on the verge of leaving Euro 2025.

Then, as Agyemang, 19, scored in the 96th minute to make it a dramatic comeback, before Kelly, who rebounded from a saved penalty to win, took control.

The same players who spearheaded England’s impressive comeback in their quarter-final defeat to Sweden were responsible for their masterminded comeback.

The role Kelly and Agyemang play has a certain sense of deja vu.

Regular substitutes Ella Toone and Alessia Russo played six games from the bench for Euro 2022.

Russo scored four goals, the most of any substitute at a women’s European Championship, while Toone added two, including in the final.

Wiegman makes a point of highlighting her “finishers,” which are the players she joins at the end of a game. They are just as crucial a part of the equation for the England manager as their debutants.

Rachel Daly, the former England striker, claimed Wiegman has “got it right so far” with her team selection.

It is functioning, it says. On the Daly Brightness podcast, she remarked, “Don’t fix what isn’t broken.”

There is so much to be said for those who can come on and change things, despite the fact that “people will call out “start them” It’s really challenging.

Agyemang’s Euro 2025 statistics are impressive.

Russo shoots 2.9 shots per 90 minutes, which she averages, which she does, partly because England chases games against tired opponents when the youngster starts.

Additionally, she has the most assists in the opposition box of any England player at 15.17 per 90 minutes.

Former Lionesses goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain, who said Wiegman “loves to stick with what she knows,” has Daly’s thoughts in mind.

Sarina Wiegman won’t likely change her team, according to Wiegman. On BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, she said, “If those 11 players are fit, those 11 players will start the final.”

Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, who were the substitutes in the final Euros, “play the game.” She has the same features this year.

However, there is a conflicting viewpoint, one that is fueled in part by the regular starting lineup’s level of football.

Karen Carney, a former England international, made a point about the Lionesses’ back-to-back games that were played in extra time.

A squad that might be worn out would gain fresh legs by making just one change in the Sweden and Italy knockout games, with Esme Morgan making the switch and Kelly making the switch.

Four of the five substitutes who scored the most goals at Euro 2025 are Kelly, Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Beth Mead.

According to Carney, “I do think that the most important thing is the freshness,” given how many minutes the starting XI have consistently played.

I believe she needs to look at the squad and rip that script out because “Germany are powerhouses, and Spain are the technical team.” I believe we need to start with fresh legs.

Nina, Kelly should start with a 100%. She can perform well in crosses and is technically competent. Agyemang should continue to play as an impact sub, but Russo and Beever-Jones should take the place of him. Your mentality won the day, girls!

The final should feature Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly because they will likely need them the most during the final… the first 60 minutes are not as crucial as the final 60, when they are most needed.