Teenager Agyemang can 'bring something different' to help England

Michelle Agyemang: Sarina Wiegman says teenager can 'bring something different' to help England at Euro 2025 - BBC SportImage caption,

Michelle Agyemang spent this season on loan at Brighton from Arsenal

England teenager Michelle Agyemang has only played 14 minutes of senior international football - but has already made an impression.

It took her just 41 seconds to score a stunning volley on her debut in April, before being voted the best performing player by BBC Sport readers after coming on in the 86th minute in England's Euro 2025 defeat by France on Saturday.

"It's easy to look at the time and think there's not enough left. That's the beauty of the game. It only takes 10 seconds to make an impact," said Agyemang.

No England player had more touches in the opposition box (five) than Agyemang in her four-minute cameo on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was Sarina Wiegman's wildcard for Euro 2025 and despite a damaging start in that 2-1 loss to France, Agyemang has provided a spark.

"Going into any game, most players will say they get nervous and I do feel that sometimes," said Agyemang.

"But when there's not much going your way, it can actually be more beneficial. You can just take the game by the scruff of the neck.

"That's how I felt the other day and on another day it could have been three points for us.

"To be here in the first place is more than enough for me. Everyone wants to do the best they can, whether they are starting or not. As long as I'm helping the team, that's my main ambition."

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When Wiegman named Agyemang in the squad, she said the Arsenal forward could "bring something different" and she hoped she could show it in Switzerland.

She impressed on loan at Brighton this season and Agyemang has been on Wiegman's radar for a few years, having progressed through England's youth teams.

Agyemang appears calm in front of the cameras and mature beyond her years - but on the pitch she causes chaos.

"I remember the first time she played because she flattened me in training. I was too slow on [the ball]," England captain Leah Williamson said last month.

"I gave her a bit of stick about it, but in my head I thought: 'You need to move the ball quicker, because she's got something about her.'

"My first impression was that she let me know she was there, which I love."

Agyemang wants to be a "unique player" and is striving for consistency, wanting to make an impact "from minute one to the end".

She takes inspiration from club-mate Alessia Russo and Chelsea forward Lauren James, who is "one of the most technically gifted players" she has seen.

But there is one trait Agyemang is already becoming known for - her strength.

"She just runs into people and bodies them because she's so strong," said Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze.

"She's so sweet and unassuming as a person, but then on the pitch she's probably one of my favourites to play against because I can run into her dead hard!

"She likes to give it back. She's been told [by Wiegman] that she needs to go a little bit easier but I said: 'No, just keep it up Micha, I prefer it, it makes it harder for us.'"

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Agyemang's rise has been so rapid she has had to adapt to increased scrutiny and settle in quickly to life as a senior international.

She is embracing media duties, learning how to "engage" but also understanding "what message I'm putting across".

Agyemang concedes the step up from youth football has been a "big shock" but she vows to be ready when called up if England need her again at Euro 2025.

"Most of the pressure comes from myself. I don't try to listen to the noise. I appreciate the support from everyone," she added.

"Just focusing on how I can improve my game and how I can help the team is my most important thing.

"All of us on the bench know that we could be called upon any time and we have gone through scenarios. It could be anyone at any time."

England may need her on Wednesday as they fight to stay in the competition when they face 2017 champions the Netherlands at 17:00 BST, live on BBC One.

The Netherlands have won two of the last three meetings with England - but the Lionesses have never lost back-to-back matches under Wiegman.

There may be "no crisis", according to midfielder Georgia Stanway, but pressure is on after England's disappointing display against France.

"There's fire in the belly. You can see [in training] that everyone's willing to go and get the result that we need in the next game," said Agyemang.

"We still want to win the tournament and that result doesn't necessarily change anything. There's still something that we're going after, which is the trophy."