The Manchester City star's comeback is particularly important while Sarina Wiegman's side are sweating on the fitness of game-changing Lauren James
Friday felt like a huge day for England's chances of success at this summer's European Championship. The Lionesses went into that evening's game against Portugal with three names available for selection for the first time in months, relieving some of the injury concerns that have plagued their build-up to a tournament at which they will be defending champions – and all three were able to play some part in the impressive 6-0 thrashing of a usually sturdy opponent.
You could make a compelling case for each being the most important returnee. Alex Greenwood, after all, is a world-class defender who comes back into the fold while Millie Bright is taking an extended period of recovery due to being, in her own words, "mentally and physically" at her "limits". Sarina Wiegman is hopeful that Bright will be back before the Euros but, at this point, nothing is certain. Georgia Stanway, meanwhile, is essentially a guaranteed starter for England when she is fit, with her importance to the team accentuated by a lack of true depth in the box-to-box midfield role.
But stealing the show of the three on Friday was the one starter among them: Lauren Hemp. Playing just under an hour in her first Lionesses appearance for seven months, the winger was absolutely electric in the first half in particular, reminding everyone that she is an elite game-changer as England head into a tournament that will see them having to beat some of the world's best from the get-go.
Getty ImagesLighting up Wembley
Portugal had no idea what to do with Hemp at Wembley. Her direct approach to the game is made all the more dangerous by her rapid pace and pinpoint final ball, of all which was on show as England raced into a 5-0 lead before half-time.
The second of those goals was a perfect example of what Hemp brings to the table. Hurdling a desperate tackle from former Chelsea defender Ana Borges, the 24-year-old drew another member of Portugal's back line out from the box and delivered a cross that caused total chaos. Eventually finding its way to Lucy Bronze to head home, after Beth Mead forced Ines Pereira to make a top save, it was one of several bright moments Hemp produced, despite only playing 163 minutes of football since suffering a knee injury that required surgery back in November.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBack with a bang
It's been a feature of Hemp's comeback, really, that her level has been incredibly high so soon. In the three games she was able to play for Manchester City before the end of the Women's Super League season, the winger just looked so sharp and like she'd not even been away, despite being absent for six months before her club return.
For some, that's been a surprise – but not for Wiegman. "No, because I know how hard they've worked and how much they've done to come back," she told on Friday, asked if she has been shocked by the level each of Hemp, Greenwood and Stanway have been able to show during this camp. "It's a step up and it's very good that we can build them now.
"It's the Nations League. You want to win. But at the same time, you're in preparation for the Euros, so they need meaningful minutes, but you have to make decisions to win. When you score so much, it's easier to make subs."
Greenwood and Stanway were two of those subs Wiegman could make after the starting XI had been able to get England off to a flying start, and for former Lionesses goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain, Hemp's selection as one of those starters felt important to note.
"She's such an exciting player and it tells you everything you need to know that she's just come back from injury, and Sarina has put her straight back into her starting line-up," she told . "She's a phenomenal talent. She's direct, she's quick, she'll give you assists, she'll deliver crosses, she'll get on the end of them. She'll give you everything."
Getty ImagesChanges of fortune
This season, the wide positions have been an issue for England at times. Hemp had her knee surgery in November and didn't return until late April, Chloe Kelly was completely out-of-favour at Man City in the first half of the campaign, Beth Mead has endured ups and downs in her form, while James hasn't been in action since April, having also missed a large chunk of time before Christmas.
But that is all changing for the better as the Euros approach. As well as Hemp's sharp performances since her return, Kelly has been superb since her January loan switch to Arsenal and there have been encouraging signs from Mead, too, not least her classy match-winning assist in the Champions League final at the end of last month.
Getty Images SportOne big absentee
James, however, is still a doubt. The Chelsea star didn't play for her club again in the 2024-25 season after suffering that hamstring injury during England's last camp, in early April, and she wasn't called up for this week's games as a result of her ongoing recovery.
"We are trying to get her fit," Wiegman said of James on Monday. "Of course, first of all, she's trying to get fit with all the support from Chelsea and with all the support from us. She's doing really well and we're moving forward. She will need to tick some boxes and when she does and we can progress, then that's very good, because we think she can make a difference at the Euros, but she needs to be healthy, she needs to recover from loads and of course, she needs to perform at her highest level. I'm pretty positive that's going to work."
