{"id":2156688,"date":"2026-09-22T06:40:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T03:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2156688"},"modified":"2026-09-22T06:40:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T03:40:41","slug":"womens-super-league-does-wsl-have-a-homegrown-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2156688","title":{"rendered":"Women&#8217;s Super League: Does WSL have a homegrown problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header data-testid=\"headline\">\n<h1 id=\"main-heading\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-8zqj65-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">&#8216;Alarming&#8217; &#8211; does WSL have a homegrown problem?<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Hannah Hampton and Lauren James are two players that have established themselves in the England starting XI under Sarina Wiegman (centre)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"multi-byline\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Joe Bradshaw<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span>BBC Sport senior journalist<\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Alex Brotherton<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span>BBC Sport journalist<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-09-22T06:40:41.469Z\">41 minutes ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">When London City Lionesses beat Manchester United on the opening night of the 2025-26 season, it suggested times were changing in the English women&#8217;s game.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">For some, that had become clear about an hour before kick-off in Bromley when the team news revealed a starting XI without any English players &#8211; the first time a Women&#8217;s Super League side had done so on the first day of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Two days later it happened again, when Scotland striker Kirsty Hanson was the only British player to start for Tottenham in their win over West Ham.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Both instances speak to the increasing ability of WSL clubs to attract top talents from across the globe, creating a league many now view as the world&#8217;s best.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But, with the Women&#8217;s Champions League returning this week, is what&#8217;s good for the WSL good for homegrown players, and by extension the home nations?<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Or is it, as The Guardian&#8217;s Tom Garry puts it, &#8220;alarming&#8221; for the hopes of the home nations?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"eventPromo\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-yapki9-EventInformationContainer e646wox6\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6vksri-EventTitleContainer e646wox5\"><strong>Arsenal v HB Koge, Women&#8217;s Champions League<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vf62z0-EventDetailsContainer e646wox4\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Tuesday, 22 September, 20:00 BST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-e4s26j-CallToActionContainer e646wox3\"><span class=\"call-to-action-link-text-wrapper\">Listen on Sounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1l9dnxb-CoverageTextContainer e646wox2\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary and follow text updates of the matches featuring English teams on the BBC Sport website as the Women&#8217;s Champions League returns<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"The-changing-makeup-of-the-WSL\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">The changing make-up of the WSL<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ten years ago when current champions Manchester City last won the WSL title, they did so with an all-British starting line-up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Much has changed since.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In 2018, the WSL went fully professional, the subsequent success of the Lionesses in the 2020s rapidly grew the game&#8217;s audience and revenues have increased accordingly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As a result, clubs have expanded their scouting pool and been able to attract players from a wider variety of nationalities &#8211; with transfer fees exploding since the turn of the decade.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Over recent windows, WSL clubs have recruited heavily from Germany and Sweden, while two-time Ballon d&#8217;Or winner Alexia Putellas exchanged the trophies of Barcelona for big-spending London City this summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The proliferation of players from Japan and Australia also highlights the WSL&#8217;s attractiveness for those at the top of the game as those clubs with the deepest pockets pack their squads with players from across the globe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Our league has grown significantly and attracted world class athletes from all over the world,&#8221; says Birmingham City manager Amy Merricks. &#8220;Unfortunately that blocks some of the pathways for the youngsters coming through.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We need [this] talent in our league because our league is growing, but at the same time we have got to try and address this issue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Looking at the proportion of homegrown players (English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish) to start 11 or more matches, half of a WSL season, the data shows a steady decline over the past three seasons to under a third.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The first three weeks of 2026-27 have offered a bump on last season, but that can partly be attributed to the WSL&#8217;s expansion from 12 teams to 14 teams and the greater proportion of homegrown talent in the promoted trio of Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is a downward trend that is not mirrored across other major European leagues. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">For 2025-26, 61% of those to start half or more of Premiere Ligue matches in France were French, 63% of those in Frauen Bundesliga games were German, and 69% of Liga F players in Spain were Spanish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">And, while WSL managers say they appreciate the importance of cultivating homegrown talent, the reality of the job ensures it is not their first priority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;The club has a responsibility to raise young players, give our own talents possibilities to be in the squad and compete every week,&#8221; says Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;But when it comes to team selection, I always need to pick the team that gives us the best chance of winning the game. If that contains eight young and promising English players or zero, I don&#8217;t care. I just want to win the game.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"links\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-94r6ik-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0s6gx-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Ellen White and Ben Haines discuss homegrown WSL players on the Women&#8217;s Football Weekly<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0s6gx-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Superstar-led London City live up to hype as Man Utd suffer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">4 September<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"What-is-the-potential-impact-on-the-national-team\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What is the potential impact on the national team?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"storyboard\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<section aria-labelledby=\"storyboard-12-image-gallery\" class=\"ssrcss-1syjlyd-ImageGallerySection e47idof9\"><span id=\"storyboard-12-image-gallery\" class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image gallery<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-z9ffh5-StyledAccessibilityLinks e47idof8\">Skip image gallery<\/span><\/p>\n<ol tabindex=\"0\" class=\"ssrcss-1asp21u-Gallery e47idof7\">\n<li aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"storyboard-12-slide0\" class=\"ssrcss-1kcac0m-Slide e47idof6\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-12mi665-ContainerWithBackground e47idof5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15ijjmi-ContentPositioning e47idof4\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-195lu2g-ImageContainer e47idof3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1jy9ht5-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/0f33\/live\/9e8ec550-b348-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/0f33\/live\/9e8ec550-b348-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0f33\/live\/9e8ec550-b348-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0f33\/live\/9e8ec550-b348-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/0f33\/live\/9e8ec550-b348-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/0f33\/live\/9e8ec550-b348-11f1-b1d1-571ed4d7ff2c.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"storyboard-12-slide1\" class=\"ssrcss-1kcac0m-Slide e47idof6\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1c0r2w4-ContainerWithBackground e47idof5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15ijjmi-ContentPositioning e47idof4\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-195lu2g-ImageContainer e47idof3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1jy9ht5-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6130\/live\/cd852bb0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6130\/live\/cd852bb0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6130\/live\/cd852bb0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6130\/live\/cd852bb0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6130\/live\/cd852bb0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 800w, 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https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/ada7\/live\/e7aba8c0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/ada7\/live\/e7aba8c0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/ada7\/live\/e7aba8c0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/ada7\/live\/e7aba8c0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"storyboard-12-slide3\" class=\"ssrcss-1kcac0m-Slide e47idof6\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-680i6x-ContainerWithBackground e47idof5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15ijjmi-ContentPositioning e47idof4\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-195lu2g-ImageContainer e47idof3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1jy9ht5-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/cfc3\/live\/f9e04dc0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/cfc3\/live\/f9e04dc0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cfc3\/live\/f9e04dc0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/cfc3\/live\/f9e04dc0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/cfc3\/live\/f9e04dc0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/cfc3\/live\/f9e04dc0-b348-11f1-a430-4d16ee157c41.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div hidden class=\"ssrcss-g0cdwt-StyledControls e47idof2\">\n<p data-testid=\"storyboard-12-current-entry\" class=\"ssrcss-16dkdda-CurrentEntry e47idof0\">1 of 4<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1avon3o-Buttons e47idof1\"><button type=\"button\" disabled data-testid=\"storyboard-12-back-button\" class=\"ssrcss-4x6lxc-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"arrows:chevron-left\" class=\"ssrcss-lymy45-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Previous image<\/span><\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-testid=\"storyboard-12-forward-button\" class=\"ssrcss-4x6lxc-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"arrows:chevron-right\" class=\"ssrcss-lymy45-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Next image<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"storyboard-12-live-region\" id=\"storyboard-12-live-region\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\"><span role=\"text\">Slide1 of 4, Squad graphic against Germany in Euro 2022:<br \/>\nEarps, Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Daly, Walsh, Stanway, Mead, Kirby, Hemp, White, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">\n<div id=\"storyboard-12-end-of-image-gallery\" tabindex=\"-1\">End of image gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It feels like a crossroads has been reached between clubs wanting to be competitive, the WSL continuing to grow, and the need to regenerate an England squad that has not changed much over the past three major tournaments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">After all, England are the two-time European champions but seven of the team that started against Spain in June also played in the Euro 2022 final against Germany &#8211; while two of the remaining starters in this year&#8217;s game were on the bench four years ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sarina Wiegman&#8217;s side were outclassed in Majorca, losing 4-0 to miss out on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women&#8217;s World Cup in Brazil. They must now navigate two rounds of play-off matches, starting against Greece next month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Discussions on England&#8217;s future is pertinent given the biennial Women&#8217;s Under-20s World Cup is ongoing in Poland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Last Thursday, Lydia Bedford&#8217;s young side were dismissed 3-0 from the last 16 by Nigeria, albeit with the caveat a number of players such as US-based Erica Meg Parkinson and Laila Harbert were not released by their clubs to play.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Nevertheless, in 2022 and 2024, like the other home nations, they did not even qualify.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is a far cry from the class of 2018 where the likes of Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway led the Lionesses to third place in the Under-20s World Cup, setting the tone for the incredible subsequent success.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Wiegman has handed debuts to 21 players since her arrival in September 2021, but only Lauren James, Hannah Hampton and Lucia Kendall have become established starters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">When England kick off in Crete on Friday, 5 October (20:00 BST), it is likely to be the same faces once again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"links\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-94r6ik-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0s6gx-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Young Lionesses win European trophy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">17 April<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">To try and facilitate the pathway to top level football for young academy players, Football Association rules require WSL sides to include eight homegrown players in their squad lists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The quota for WSL 2 clubs is higher and works on a sliding scale depending on squad size.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Former England striker Ellen White told the Women&#8217;s Football Weekly podcast this was insufficient, saying: &#8220;We should be updating that quota of eight players, tweaking it to best help and complement our international structure, our homegrown talent.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I would love to see them go much further &#8211; something mandated, a minimum on the pitch at any one time,&#8221; the Guardian&#8217;s Garry told BBC Women&#8217;s Football Weekly. &#8220;London City&#8217;s line-up was alarming.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It&#8217;s great for the product over here, but will we see pain in 15 years&#8217; time if England are struggling to go deep in major tournaments because we&#8217;re not developing players?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Last month, the FA approved a controversial plan to allow some WSL academy sides to play in the National League from 2027-28, saying it would &#8220;strengthen the women&#8217;s football pyramid, raise standards across the league, and improve the development pathway for young players&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The FA believes this reform will address the relative lack of competitive minutes young English players receive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Chelsea have already confirmed they plan to enter an academy side in the third tier and Manchester City women&#8217;s managing director Charlotte O&#8217;Neill has previously said she would want to enter a team too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Women&#8217;s Football<\/li>\n<li>Football<\/li>\n<li>Women&#8217;s Super League<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"promoList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">More on this story<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-1ughxsy-List e880cno1\">\n<li>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-ccqz3i-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u1fh10-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-wg79iw-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6bmydz-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">FA approves WSL academy sides in National League<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">25 August<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-i2yqis-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/55fd\/live\/38120220-a078-11f1-bf10-9547e884d7b7.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/55fd\/live\/38120220-a078-11f1-bf10-9547e884d7b7.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/55fd\/live\/38120220-a078-11f1-bf10-9547e884d7b7.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/55fd\/live\/38120220-a078-11f1-bf10-9547e884d7b7.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/55fd\/live\/38120220-a078-11f1-bf10-9547e884d7b7.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/55fd\/live\/38120220-a078-11f1-bf10-9547e884d7b7.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-ccqz3i-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u1fh10-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-wg79iw-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6bmydz-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">How WSL aims to bridge academy gap &#8211; and why it needs to<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">8 April<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/921b\/live\/57298da0-328b-11f1-9fac-89e41bab67f2.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/921b\/live\/57298da0-328b-11f1-9fac-89e41bab67f2.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/921b\/live\/57298da0-328b-11f1-9fac-89e41bab67f2.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/921b\/live\/57298da0-328b-11f1-9fac-89e41bab67f2.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/921b\/live\/57298da0-328b-11f1-9fac-89e41bab67f2.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/921b\/live\/57298da0-328b-11f1-9fac-89e41bab67f2.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cew9nqnz9lno&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/2678\/live\/6caf7300-b34c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.png&#8221;] &#8216;Alarming&#8217; &#8211; does WSL have a homegrown problem? Image caption, Hannah Hampton and Lauren James are two players that have established themselves in the England starting XI under Sarina Wiegman (centre) ByJoe Bradshaw,\u00a0BBC Sport senior journalist\u00a0and\u00a0Alex Brotherton,\u00a0BBC Sport journalist Published 41 minutes ago When London City Lionesses beat Manchester United on the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-2156688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2156688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2156688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2156688\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2156688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2156688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2156688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}