Although Leah Williamson (Arsenal) and Lauren James (Chelsea) shone at this year's Euro and brought home the European Championship title to England, their clubs will have to start the season without them. Both stars of the Women's Super League are recovering from injuries.Â
- Arsenal defender Leah Williamson will miss the start of the 2025/26 WSL season due to a knee injury sustained during the Euro 2025 final and treated with a minor procedure, with her sidelined for several weeks.
- The injury affects her right knee, the same one where she previously suffered an ACL tear in April 2023; however, sources confirm the two injuries are not directly related.
- To cover her absence, Lotte Wubben-Moy—who recently renewed her contract with Arsenal—will likely step up into Williamson’s defensive role.
- Chelsea, Arsenal's big city rival, suffers the same problem: Lauren James is gonna miss the start as well due to injury sustained during England’s Euro 2025 campaign.
- The 24-year-old forward began experiencing issues post-120 minutes in the quarter-final, was substituted at half-time in both the semi-final (against Italy) and final due to discomfort, indicating the injury had persisted throughout the tournament.
- James had been carrying a hamstring injury picked up in April against Belgium, following an earlier lower-leg problem, highlighting her prolonged fitness struggle.
