England s rising talents poised for Euro 2025 spotlight Kirby says

LONDON - Deprived of some of their most experienced players, Englands women will need new faces to shine at Euro 2025 but former midfielder Fran Kirby believes the young guns can step up.

Kirby announced her international retirement this month, following goalkeeper Mary Earps in May, while Chelsea defender Millie Bright made herself unavailable for selection.

That trio have accumulated 218 international caps and began every game as England were crowned European champions in 2022.

Kirbys surprise decision came after being told by coach Sarina Wiegman that she would not make the 23-strong squad for the tournament in Switzerland.

While it was clearly a painful end to her England career and took a while for her to digest, Kirby is excited to watch new heroines emerge from the squad - the likes of Brighton teammate Michelle Agyemang, Grace Clinton and Jess Park.

Its really exciting to see them grow and obviously its going to be very different for them going into this tournament and being part of the tournament and seeing how they develop, how they learn, Kirby, speaking at a London event organised by leading global ticket exchange company viagogo, said.

You have to give these girls an opportunity at some point. You have to give them an opportunity to go to a major tournament and to experience it and to learn from it because youre looking at the next six, seven, eight, nine, 10 years with these girls.

Giving them experience now will only help push them forward going into the next few tournaments.

Agyemang scored within a minute of coming off the bench for her senior debut against Belgium in April and Kirby says her 19-year-old Brighton teammate could make a big impact.

I think Michelle, we can see her qualities. Shes very strong, shes very direct,