Earps facing ´huge competition´ from Hampton, says Wiegman

Sarina Wiegman believes that Paris Saint-German’s Mary Earps will face competition from Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton for the England number one shirt.

Earps has endured a difficult start to life in France since her move from Manchester United ahead of the new season.

She conceded five goals across their Women’s Champions League qualifying defeat to Juventus and was subsequently dropped for the Parisiens’ next two league matches.

Hampton, meanwhile, has been in fine form for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, keeping two clean sheets as the Blues remain perfect under Sonia Bompastor.

Only Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce (100%) has a higher save percentage than Hampton (90%) in the league this season.

Earps earned her 50th Lioness cap in a 2-1 European Championship qualifier defeat to France in June, though Hampton has seen her tipped for a starting spot at the tournament where England will look to defend their crown.

“You bring this message as if she’s not a starting player for PSG and I think she is,” Wiegman said.

“She’s the number one goalkeeper. There’s competition there, too. She started this weekend. I think moving to France, of course, she’s adapting to a new situation.

“Unfortunately, they didn’t qualify for the group stage in the Champions League which is a disappointment for them, for Mary and for us too, because we want to see her in the Champions League.

“So that’s not the start I think she had hoped for but still, we know what she brings for us and we also know there’s a huge competition going on between her and Hannah, and Anna also coming in.”

The road to #WEURO2025 starts here

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 15, 2024

Wiegman announced her 25-player squad for their upcoming friendlies against Germany and South Africa in preparation for Euro 2025, which takes place in Switzerland.

Aston Villa’s uncapped defender Lucy Parker was introduced into the ranks, while Lotte Wubben-Moy and Lauren James return after missing July’s qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse retains her place in the squad, and Aggie Beever-Jones and Jessica Naz also remain, having moved across from the Under-23 squad.

Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning goal in the 2022 final, was also included despite falling out of favour under Gareth Taylor.

Full squad

Mary Earps (Paris Saint-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride); Mille Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal); Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona); Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).