By Laura Howard
Chloe Kelly has been dropped from the England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain, but Sarina Wiegman insists the door is still open for the Euros.
The forward, who was the subject of a deadline-day loan from Manchester City to Arsenal, is one of five changes to the squad that played the November and December friendlies.
England continue to face injury troubles in the forward line owing to the extended absence of Lauren Hemp, but Kelly has not done enough to earn a spot this time.
“She has not played enough minutes. Last autumn she had some credit, but over that time she has had a lot less minutes,” said Wiegman.
“Now she can get started at Arsenal, get playing and start showing what you’re about and then we’ll have that conversation again.
“The conversation we had is good and she understands she is not out for the Euros.”
The Arsenal forward is yet to play for her new club having been cup tied and faced matches against her parent club in the league.
Kelly took to Instagram to force a move in the January transfer window having fallen out of favour in Manchester, but the switch to the Gunners alone has not been enough for Wiegman to justify her inclusion.
In her absence, Nikita Parris receives her first call-up since November 2022 after impressing for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ella Toone, Lauren James and Niamh Charles all return after recovering from injury while Lotte Wubben-Moy is also named from the off this time out, having been called in as an injury replacement in November.
The quartet replace Greenwood, Georgia Stanway and Fran Kirby, who are all out with injury, while Gabby George also misses out on selection.
There is also no place for Khiara Keating or Ellie Roebuck among a strong crop of goalkeepers.
The European champions will be hoping for a strong run-in to their title defence this summer in Switzerland and will face tournament favourites and world champions Spain at Wembley in February.
Wiegman said: “It's getting us in the best possible position for the Euros, but also for the draw for the World Cup later on.
“These are two big games to start 2025. It is exciting that we have the chance to write a new chapter in our story in the months ahead, but we will focus first on what is right in front of us and a very important Nations League campaign.
“We then have another special occasion at Wembley against Spain. I am sure we will get great support, and we can’t wait to see our fans again.”
