Lionesses icon blasts Mary Earps over 'awful' timing of shock England retirement
Lionesses icon Siobhan Chamberlain has slammed Mary Earps over his shock England retirement, insisting that her timing has been 'awful'.
Former England goalkeeper Chamberlain, who played 50 games for the Lionesses from 2004 to 2018, has accused Earps of throwing a 'grenade' into Sarina Wiegman's plans for the 2025 Women's Euros in Switzerland.
Earps, named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023 after her performances at the Women's World Cup, recently lost her spot in the England XI to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton and decided to quit this week.
Chamberlain has no doubt that England manager Wiegman has been left 'angry' at Earps as she shared her opinion on ITV 4 on Friday evening.
Speaking ahead of England's Women's Nations League match against Portugal, Chamberlain said: '[Earps' decision was] a huge shock.
'I don't think anyone expected it and I think it blindsided Sarina Wiegman. She's a meticulous planner. It threw a bit of a grenade into her plans.'
Quizzed if Earps had betrayed her country, Chamberlain added: 'There's been a lot of harsh words. I think betrayal is a very harsh word in football but would Sarina have been angry? Would she have been frustrated? Absolutely she would have been and rightly so. The timing is awful.'
Earps decision to retire from international duty ahead of this summer's major tournament is a massive blow for England as they look to defend their Euros crown – and has left several former Lionesses disappointed.
'I was disappointed to hear the news,' former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley told BBC Radio 5 Live.
'She has been pivotal to all the success we have had in recent years. She has had an incredible international career and it will leave a gaping hole.'
England boss Wiegman, speaking on Thursday about the bombshell news, said: 'I'm really disappointed, I want her in my team.'
Despite her international retirement, Earps is still continuing her club career with French side Paris Saint-Germain, having joined them in 2024 from Manchester United.
Earps, who was crowned The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in both 2022 and 2023, has announced that she is taking a break from social media.
'It's been a difficult and emotional few days – I can't tell you how much I appreciate every single message of support,' she posted on Instagram. More Trending
'I'm coming off socials for a bit. There are a few pre-planned contractual ads that need posting.
'So my management will be running my account while I'm gone.
'Wishing the girls all the best for the game tonight and on Tuesday – I'll be cheering you all on.'
Earps, who earned the nickname 'Mary Queen of Stops', played a total of 53 games for England, helping the country land the Euro 2022 trophy.
MORE: Ian Wright aims dig at Arsenal men's team after Women's Champions League win
MORE: Arsenal stun Barcelona to win Women's Champions League final
MORE: Man Utd's Grace Clinton bullish ahead of FA Cup final: 'Chelsea aren't invincible'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal star subject of Barcelona talks as goalkeeper agrees switch
Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to a third successive runner-up finish in the Premier League this season and the Gunners are expected to invest during the summer transfer window Arsenal's main priority this summer appears to be a new striker, but that isn't the only area where they're looking to strengthen. Mikel Arteta's side finished a distant second behind Liverpool in the Premier League, and are likely to need to make additions just to keep pace with their title rivals next term. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the two strikers most heavily linked, with talks over a Sesko move underway. The RB Leipzig striker won't come cheap, but those at the club seem to believe he has the quality to lead the line both now and long into the future. A move for a new striker ought to leave the team better stocked in midfield, with Mikel Merino no longer needed to deputise in attack and Kai Havertz potentially dropping deeper for certain games. A deeper-lying midfielder is still a priority, though, with Martin Zubimendi expected to fill that role. Mikel Arteta is preparing to lose the likes of Kieran Tierney and Jorginho, while Raheem Sterling and Neto are set to return to their parent clubs. The manager has indicated he'll have the backing of the board this summer, though, and excitement has been building over new arrivals. There's a long way to go before the start of the new season, but we've already seen plenty of movement elsewhere and Arsenal could well be next. Here are Mirror Football 's latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium. Barcelona in Partey talks Barcelona are in talks over a summer move for Thomas Partey, according to The Sun. The Ghana international is out of contract at Arsenal this summer, so could move for nothing. Partey had been in conversation with Arsenal over an extension. However, with no agreement in place, the Catalan club are said to be exploring a swoop. The former Atletico Madrid man, who turns 32 in June, was one of Mikel Arteta's first signings when he joined in the summer of 2020. Arteta has publicly expressed his desire to keep the player around. Garcia staying in La Liga Staying with Barcelona, Joan Garcia is set to join Hansi Flick's club from local rivals Espanyol. Goalkeeper Garcia had been a target for Arsenal in previous windows, with Newcastle also linked. According to Sport, though, the 24-year-old has reached an agreement with Barca ahead of a £21million switch. The Catalan publication reports that he will become Barcelona's new keeper next week, once the player returns from a planned holiday. Wojciech Szczesny and Marc-Andre ter-Stegen have shared goalkeeping duties under Flick next term. Both could yet remain at the club next term and battle it out with Garcia for a starting spot, but the new man is expected to target first-team football from the get-go. Brighton set Joao Pedro asking price Brighton won't accept anything less than £70million for Joao Pedro, The Sun reports. The Brazilian frontman had been mentioned in connection with an Arsenal switch, though Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres still appear to be at the top of the queue. The 23-year-old joined the Seagulls in a club record deal in the summer of 2023. He has scored 30 goals in 70 appearances for the club, who are said to be under no pressure to sell. Two of his 10 league goals last term came against Arsenal. He earned Fabian Hurzeler's side a point against a 10-man Gunners side in August, and also levelled things up in the reverse fixture on the south coast in January. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The telltale signs everyone missed that Matildas star Sam Kerr suffered a shocking setback after her horror knee injury
Newly appointed Matildas coach Joe Montemurro shocked football fans when he revealed captain Sam Kerr recently had a second surgical 'intervention' for a mystery injury - and a deep dive shows why the Chelsea striker faces an uncertain future in the sport. Kerr, 31, has not played for club or country in 16 months after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back in January 2024 during a training camp with Chelsea in Morocco. Fans were shocked to see Kerr attend the recent A-League Women's Grand Final in Melbourne - but it is now likely she was actually in Australia to privately see a surgeon. Recovery from an ACL injury typically is between six and 12 months, but it depends on the player. In January this year - 12 months after Kerr was injured - questions first began to be raised about her highly anticipated return to the pitch. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor declared in April it was unlikely that Kerr would be back before the end of the Women's Super League season on May 10 - and she was on the money. 'It is difficult for me to say because everyone is different and everyone reacts differently,' the Blues boss told reporters at the time. 'Sam is progressing in her rehab but I don't have enough elements to say if we will see her this season. 'Hopefully, yes, but it is difficult for me to say.' Away from the pitch, Kerr had to endure a high-profile criminal trial, and in February she was found not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of a British police officer. It followed a night out with her fiancée Kristie Mewis in January of 2023, where the footballers feared they were going to be kidnapped by a taxi driver. Kerr has since returned to train with Chelsea - but only on light duties. It was anticipated Kerr would return to the team sheet as the Blues claimed another domestic title in May - but it didn't happen and her recovery continues to be dragged out. Mewis then gave birth to the couple's son Jagger last month - which followed Kerr being in Australia back in April ahead of the Matildas tackling South Korea in two international fixtures. Again, Kerr trained lightly but didn't play - and Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed the goal machine was wearing a compression sleeve on her injured right knee. On Monday, Montemurro left Matildas fans on edge after confirming Kerr recently underwent a new surgical procedure following a separate injury. 'Look, I think there were some complications and I've only caught up with the scenario in the last 24 hours,' he explained to Channel 10 News. 'There was a subsequent intervention, but I do believe she is now back running. 'I think it was something completely different (to the existing knee injury). I think the knee is fine. 'I think there was some other issues, but again I've only been briefed in the last 24 hours.' When Kerr does eventually return to play, she knows her every move will be heavily scrutinised. Given she is also at the twilight of her career, Kerr's time representing the Matildas and Chelsea could be drawing to a close. No doubt she will be desperate to lead Australia out at the Asian Cup next year on home soil - but it also looms as a likely international farewell for the nation's greatest ever goal scorer.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Barcelona in Partey talks EXCLUSIVE, ‘green light' for Gyokeres deal, Sesko latest
Arteta on Guard of Honour Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Liverpool 'deserve' their Guard of Honour. Arne Slot's champions were BOOED by Chelsea fans as they walked through the tribute of Enzo Maresca's team last weekend. Arteta doubled down on his assertion that Arsenal were 'the best team' in the Champions League and should have now been preparing for a Munich Final against Inter Milan. But the Spaniard, who admitted his side had taken a 'step backwards' this term, promised his team would show Anfield a display of dignity and use it as 'motivation' for next term. Liverpool deserve that. They've been the best team, they've been the most consistent. What Arne Slot and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, it's been really good and they fully deserve it. And that's the sport, when somebody is better you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level. Something that has to drive you, motivate you, and pain probably is a good one to use. When you don't really want to do something but it's the right thing to do, usually it is a motivation for next season. Mikel Arteta
