The reigning European champions are only nine months away from their title defence and Sarina Wiegman needs competition in all places in preparation
It’s fair to say that Mary Earps’ start to life at Paris Saint-Germain did not go to plan. Elimination in Champions League qualifying was followed up by her taking a spot on the bench for the team’s first home game of the league season, prompting early questions about her decision to join the French side while casting doubt over her ability to battle Hannah Hampton for the No.1 spot with England, ahead of next summer’s European Championships.
Fortunately, things have improved in the last couple of weeks. After keeping her first clean sheet for her new club in a 1-0 win over Nantes, a flying save in the 2-1 victory against Fleury garnered plenty of positive attention on social media on Sunday. It feels like Earps is starting to make her mark in Paris now.
That’s good news for the goalkeeper, it’s good news for PSG and it’s good news for England. Whether she earns the starting gig at Euro 2025 or not, the Lionesses need Earps to be in top form as they prepare to defend their continental crown.
GettyVital player
Twelve months ago, England’s goalkeeping department wasn’t in the shape head coach Sarina Wiegman would’ve hoped. In stark contrast to the feelings around her start at PSG, it was Earps who was the saving grace this time last year, as the only shot-stopper in the Lionesses’ picture who was playing regularly.
Thankfully, she was also in fantastic form, papering over the cracks that had formed lower down the pecking order. Hampton was yet to play a game for new club Chelsea, Ellie Roebuck wasn’t making matchday squads for Manchester City, Khiara Keating – Roebuck’s usurper – was an uncapped teenager and Sandy MacIver had switched allegiances to represent Scotland.
As England’s (eventually unsuccessful) bid to qualify for the Nations League finals and the Olympic Games intensified, it was vital that Earps was getting game time. She was more important to her national team than ever before.
AdvertisementGettyDifference a year makes
While Roebuck – now at Barcelona – is still to return to action as she recovers from suffering a type of stroke and MacIver remains a Scotland player, a lot of other details have changed in the past year. Keating is now struggling for game time, with summer signing Ayaka Yamashita emerging as Man City’s No.1. It means Wiegman has started to look at other goalkeepers, calling up Orlando Pride star Anna Moorhouse in recent months. The 29-year-old has been in superb form for the NWSL Shield winners, but remains uncapped.
Most significantly, Hampton has now become Chelsea’s first-choice shot-stopper, allowing her to firmly stake a claim to hold the same status with England. Since her game time has increased with the Blues, her standing in Wiegman’s squad has also grown to the point that, in the view of many, she is in pole position to be the Lionesses’ No.1.
Getty ImagesBattling to be No.1
But as England start to really focus on next summer’s Euros, at which they will be the defending champions, it’s important that Hampton does not simply inherit a starting role by default. She is still just 23 years old, only made her Champions League debut this year and is yet to play a game at a major international tournament.
That’s not to say that any of those facts should be reasons for her not to be England’s starting goalkeeper. Hampton is a remarkable talent, one capable of becoming the best in the world in her position if former coach Emma Hayes’ opinion is anything to go by, and she has been excellent for club and country through 2024.
However, it does feel important for the Lionesses that she earns that berth rather than being given it because she is the only option Wiegman has that is playing regular minutes. Considering the depth of talent at England’s disposal, it would be a terrible scenario if the European champions didn’t have genuine competition for that No.1 spot and players pushing each other to be their best ahead of such an important tournament.
Getty ImagesHealthy competition
There will be plenty Hampton is learning as she battles with Earps for that starting role, too. The 31-year-old has played for some huge clubs, starred at two major international tournaments and knows all about the weight of expectation that comes from having such a prominent position in the Lionesses’ team. Earps is also a fantastic professional and someone who will push her younger team-mate every day in training.
To see that battle intensifying will certainly please Wiegman, especially given Earps was her only option in between the sticks last year when it came to goalkeepers playing regularly. It’s not just about competition, either. If something was to happen to either shot-stopper, it’s good for the coach to know that she has a replacement lined up who is match fit, in form and has plenty of experience.