England are one of the favorites to win the title at Euro 2022. The defence is the second part of a two-part look at how different parts of the Lionesses team are shaping up.
After the former captain was left out of the squad, England will go into a major tournament with a different look.
England have not given up a goal in 14 games and have kept 11 clean sheets under SarinaWiegman's management.
There is competition for places, experience in the backline and players in good form but will it come together when it matters?
The experience and leadership of Houghton, who has not played since January because of an injury, will be missed.
There are a lot of players in the squad that are ready to step up, including a player from Manchester City and a player from the other side of the pond.
The pair have formed a strong partnership in central defence and are both competing in their second Euros.
My role doesn't change. Bright said that regardless of the players in or out of the squad, everyone remained the same.
I don't put a lot of pressure on myself. That is how it happens. We have so many leaders that can step up.
As a result of her performances this season, she's become a regular for England and her team-mates are expecting her to be a big player at the Euros.
Alex probably doesn't get a lot of praise. She is a good passer. She reads the game very well.
She has done a great job." I like to play next to her at City. I like what she does with the ball and her defense.
She said it was crazy to think how far she had come since she swapped roles.
I wouldn't have said I'd be playing at center-back. She said it was crazy because she couldn't see herself playing left-back now.
When you have a player next to you that you're comfortable with, it helps. There are definitely connections at England.
I enjoy playing there the most. I think I have brought the best out of myself. I'm invested in the position because of that.
Vice-captain Bright has stood out with her distribution and has found herself in attacking positions. She and Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas were joint top scorer in the Arnold Clark Cup.
According to Bright, everyone has been pushed to new levels and has the confidence to do new things.
To be the best on the ball and for each other, everyone in the team comes from a competitive club.
The captain of the Euros squad, 25, has mostly lined up in the middle of the field, but she is also a centre-back for the team, which is useful.
In England's final warm-up game before the tournament, she dropped back into the defence because of the absence of Lucy Bronze, who was ill.
The Dutchwoman gave little away as to her captain's starting position for the Euros, despite the suggestion that she felt a little uncomfortable playing further forward.
She believes that she can play in the back and in the middle.
The depth at centre-back is provided by the likes of Jess Carter, 25, and Lotte Wubben-Moy,23.
There are a lot of different positions in the back.
Even though she is a forward for the Houston Dash she is enjoying her role in the squad and has been used on both flanks.
I enjoy defending and have taken up a new role. She said that she loved the ball even though it didn't go in.
Bronze wants to use her experience to help the younger players.
The right-back said that he likes to push on the training pitch because he feels like the tournament is going to be bigger.
I try to push them to be better so they're prepared for what they're going to come up against.
The Manchester City left-back, who will be playing in her third major tournament, said that she was very direct so she knew where she stood.
It's about pushing yourself and your team because everyone knows what we stand for. The starting 11 are not the only ones.
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