England manager Sarina Wiegman is poised to hand teenage sensation Khiara Keating her first competitive international start in Friday's high-profile friendly against Brazil at Wembley Stadium.
The 19-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper, who has been turning heads in the Women's Super League, could earn her second senior cap in what would represent a significant vote of confidence from the Lionesses' boss.
Rapid Rise to Prominence
Keating's potential selection marks a remarkable ascent for the young shot-stopper, who only made her England debut in February's friendly against Austria. Wiegman expressed her admiration for the teenager's development, highlighting her impressive performances at club level.
"She's done really well at Manchester City," Wiegman stated. "She's made a huge development there and that's why we brought her into the squad. She's competing and that's what we need."
Goalkeeping Conundrum for Wiegman
The England manager faces a selection dilemma with Mary Earps, last year's World Cup golden glove winner, and Hannah Hampton also vying for the starting position. Wiegman confirmed she would rotate her goalkeepers during the international break, with Keating strongly positioned to feature against the South American giants.
"We have two games and we want to give players the opportunity to play," Wiegman explained. "We have three goalkeepers, so we'll see over the two games how we distribute the playing time."
Wembley Showcase Against World-Class Opposition
Facing Brazil at the iconic Wembley Stadium represents a baptism of fire for any young player, but Wiegman appears confident in Keating's ability to handle the pressure. The match serves as crucial preparation for England's European Championship qualifying campaign, beginning in April against Sweden.
The manager emphasised the importance of testing her squad against top-tier opposition: "Brazil are a tough opponent, technically very good with unpredictable players up front. It's a good test for us."
With over 80,000 tickets already sold for the prestigious fixture, Keating's potential Wembley debut could mark the beginning of a new era for England's goalkeeping department, showcasing the depth of emerging talent in the women's game.
