The new Lionesses set to make their mark at the Women’s Euros as England kick off their title defence against France

ALL eyes are on the Lionesses as they prepare to defend their Euros crown over the next few weeks.

England’s campaign kicks off in Zurich tonight when they take on France at 8pm.

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Goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby have both announced their retirement from international football, while defender Millie Bright has ruled herself out.

But there are plenty of talented fresh faces in the 23-strong squad.

Here, Tom Bryden reveals the stars who could make their mark.

Michelle Agyemang

AGED just 19, striker Michelle is the youngest player in the England Euros squad.

The lifelong Arsenal fan made her international debut in April when she was called in to replace injured Alessia Russo with just two days’ notice.

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She scored just 41 seconds after coming off the bench against Belgium in a match that ultimately ended in defeat for England.

The former Wembley ball girl joined Arsenal’s academy at the tender age of six, making her senior club debut aged 16.

She signed with the North London side in May last year and spent the season on loan to Brighton, scoring three times in 19 appearances.

Rising star Michelle has been showered with praise from the likes of England captain Leah Williamson and women’s record scorer Ellen White.

She is also studying for a degree in Business Management at King’s College London.

Hannah Hampton

WITH veteran goalstopper Mary Earps announcing her retirement in late May, 24-year-old Hannah will be donning the No1 shirt for this tournament.

Making her England debut against Spain in 2022, the Chelsea player has bounced back after being dropped from the squad just months after their Euros victory.

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Reports at the time suggested it was due to her behaviour and attitude — but this isn’t the biggest hurdle the Birmingham-born goalie has had to face.

Hannah, 24, was born with strabismus — which means her eyes do not look at the same place at the same time — and doctors said she would not be able to play football.

She still does not have any depth perception but is determined to live up to her predecessor’s legacy.

Grace Clinton

COMING from a football-mad ­family, Merseyside-born Grace played at grassroots level before starting trials with Everton aged 12.

After a spell on loan at Tottenham earned her the title of PFA Young Player of the Year in 2024, the 22-year-old has since been tearing up the midfield for ­Manchester United.

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She made her England debut in February in a 7-2 win over Austria, scoring a goal.

And having already found the back of the net three times in her first five international appearances, expect to be chanting her name as England battle for victory and glory once more.

Maya Le Tissier

GROWING up on the small ­Channel Island of Guernsey, where there wasn’t even a girl’s team to join, Maya has risen to the top — having taken over as Manchester United captain at the start of last season.

Now the 23-year-old defender will be bringing her talent to the Lionesses this summer after previously coming close to making the England World Cup squad.

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But despite sharing a surname and coming from the same island, there’s no relation to Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier — although her father Darren has played ­football alongside him.

Alessia Russo

THE Arsenal striker is now one of the Lionesses’s most recognisable faces thanks to her superb displays in previous international tournaments.

Now Alessia, 26, will be looking to cement herself as one of the sport’s all-time greats this summer.

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She will also be coming to the Euros off the back of winning the Champions League and the WSL Golden Boot award.

But the Maidstone-born star is the talk of the team camp for another reason as well — her brother Giorgio has entered the Love Island villa as one of the new “bombshells”.

Aggie Beever-Jones

AFTER making her senior England debut 12 months ago, Chelsea forward Aggie is now ready to make a statement in her first major international tournament.

Her status as one of the game’s hottest young talents was confirmed when the Surrey-born 21-year-old was shortlisted for the Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year award, after an unbeaten title- winning season with Chelsea for which she was the club’s top scorer.

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And she is one of only a handful of England players to have scored a hat-trick at Wembley, notching up three goals during England’s 6-0 win over Portugal in May.