England's Hannah Hampton aiming to ‘fill the gloves' of Mary Earps at Euro 2025
Hannah Hampton says she will do her best to 'fill the gloves' of the goalkeepers who came before her at this summer's European Championship.
Mary Earps's shock international retirement at the end of May left Chelsea's Hampton as England's No 1 ahead of their Euros title defence in Switzerland.
Hampton, 24, has kept seven clean sheets in 15 senior appearances, but has never played at a major international tournament.
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When asked about her journey at a media day ahead of the tournament, Hampton told reporters: 'Did I think, when I was a young girl, I'd be sitting here right now in the position I am? Absolutely not, but am I proud and am I looking forward to the challenges ahead? Yes.
'I'm going to be trying my absolute best to fill the gloves of the 'keepers (who came) before and the success they've had.'
Earps's retirement at age 32 came as a shock to head coach Sarina Wiegman, who admitted she was 'disappointed' by the Paris Saint-Germain player's decision.
However, Hampton was already in pole position for the starting spot at the Euros before Earps stepped back. She had started three consecutive matches across February and April and Wiegman confirmed after those games that the Chelsea 'keeper was 'a little bit ahead' of Earps.
With Earps retired and backups (Orlando Pride's Anna Moorhouse and Manchester City's Khiara Keating) having no international caps, Hampton is the undisputed No 1.
'Getting that bit of clarity already helps you prepare for whatever your role is,' Hampton told reporters. 'My role is different this time around compared to the last tournaments but it's not going to change my mindset. I'm there to enjoy myself, do the nation proud with all the girls, and get memories.'
Asked about Earps' retirement, Hampton added: 'We have to obviously respect what her decision is.
'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and obviously put women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation.
'I've sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think that's all I really can do.'
Hampton also paid tribute to Earps as a 'big personality' in the England fold. She said: 'I don't think I could safely say I'm probably as vocal or as big a personality as Mary, when she was playing (for England).
'It's probably one thing I have got to learn from a lot.'
England play Jamaica on June 29, their final game before kicking off their Euros title defence against France on July 5. They also face the Netherlands and Wales in their group.
(Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)
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