Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Online Soccer Betting: Our 2024 Guide

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

De Ligt insists Ten Hag was unlucky to be sacked

Van Nistelrooy's final 'demand' to Man Utd players revealed

Australia vs Saudi Arabia: Stream, TV & where to watch

'Worst manager' Postecoglou branded 'fat fraud' by furious Spurs fans

Suspended ref Coote allegedly caught on camera snorting 'cocaine'

Belgium vs Italy Predictions: Italians to qualify in style

Ronaldo tipped to 'follow in footsteps of Reynolds at Wrexham'

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>New England shirt shrouded in controversy </li><li>Pundits have slammed "woke" collar</li><li>Wiegman thinks jersey is "very beautfiul"</li></ul>

'Very beautiful' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman responds to Nike England kit controversy

UEFA Nations League B

England

Ireland

Friendlies

Pundits, ex-players and even politicians have criticised <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fa-statement-backlash-woke-england-kit-accused-virtue-signalling/blte63db14cb48aabb5" target="_blank">Nike's "playful update" </a>of the St George's Cross, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/england-kit-slammed-ex-three-lions-striker-fans-rage-nike-woke-nonsense/blt2591ec3553161d7e" target="_blank">with several branding the move "woke".</a> That widespread uproar over a simple collar has, however, detracted from the fact that the latest kits are an impressive offering from Nike. That sentiment is certainly shared by Wiegman, who ignoring the fuss has labelled the jerseys "very beautiful."

WHAT HAPPENED?

On the ongoing chaos surrounding the kit design, the Lionesses boss told reporters on Tuesday: "There has been a lot of discussions around that. I think the kit is very, very beautiful. It looks really good. I always really like the crest [badge], the beautiful one. Of course we have that white shirt so I would like to keep it with that. I’m happy with that, we’re playing in it. I'm looking to seeing the team in it."

WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

Wiegman's words come after she <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionesses-squad-arsenal-star-leah-williamson-returns-esme-morgan-makes-cut-ahead-maya-le-tissier/bltd7865a1bda4d67b7#cs446d6fe69e73549d" target="_blank">announced her 23-player squad</a> for England's upcoming Euro 2025 qualification campaign on Tuesday, where they will face Sweden and Republic of Ireland. The Lionesses boss was able to call on almost all of the members who went to the warm-weather training camp in Spain earlier this year, aside from Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier. She made way <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionesses-squad-arsenal-star-leah-williamson-returns-esme-morgan-makes-cut-ahead-maya-le-tissier/bltd7865a1bda4d67b7" target="_blank">for the return of Leah Williamson</a>, who was welcomed back to the England set-up following her continued injury woes this term.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Lionesses will don the "very beautiful" kits for the first time when their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign gets underway on April 5. They play Sweden at Wembley in that encounter before travelling to Dublin to face Ireland four days later.

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

'Very beautiful' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman responds to Nike England kit controversy | Goal.com Australia

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman has declared the new England kit &quot;very beautiful&quot;, despite the ongoing furore about its modified collar.

&apos;Very beautiful&apos; - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman responds to Nike England kit controversy