Will the England number one shirt be in Hannah Hampton’s hands?

Photo credits: George Wood, Lewis Storey, Getty Images

The Lionesses are only nine months away from defending their European title out in Switzerland and there is competition for every position on the pitch, but one of the most asked questions is, who will be between the sticks? England’s manager Sarina Wiegman will be keeping a close eye not only on who her starting keeper is, but also who will be her first-place backup keeper.

As of now, the competition for starting keeper is between Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton, and the competition between them is heating up. Both the keepers will be doing everything they can to stay in form for the season ahead, knowing that their performances will be what decides their future.

Mary Earps in an England Kit / Photo credits: FIFA via Getty Images

Mary Earps is the current number one, however her summer move and start to the season didn’t put her in the best position to continue impressing Sarina Wiegman with her undeniable talent. The summer saw her make the move from Manchester United in the WSL over to France to play in the Première League for Paris Saint-Germain, and it didn’t get off to the best start, which prompted the question of if the move was the right decision.

As the season got started, Paris Saint-Germain was knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages, and as the move to Europe was made with the intention of playing Champions League football, fans started questioning the decision, especially when Earps found herself benched for the first home game of the league.

It took a few weeks before life in Paris started looking up, things started to change, and Mary gained the media’s attention when she saved a penalty against Fleury and kept her first clean sheet against Nantes. However, in the seven league matches she has played, only one clean sheet has been kept, and five goals have been conceded.

Hannah Hampton on the other hand has made an amazing start to the season with Chelsea. Chelsea are currently the WSL title holders, and this season have a 100% win record in all competitions. As she has made her mark at Chelsea becoming their preferred starter, her position for her country has only become more solid, and over the year has put her up there for the starting place. In the eight games she has played in the league, she has kept six clean sheets and only conceded three goals.

Hannah Hampton in an England Kit / Photo credits: FIFA via Getty Images

Hampton’s former manager, Emma Hayes said:

“I say this as the future USA coach: England are so lucky… I genuinely believe [she] has all the ability to become the best in the world.”

However, when it comes to experience in major tournaments, Earps is above Hampton. Earps has starred in two major international tournaments so is experienced with the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the number one shirt. Hampton is still only 23 and made her Champions League debut this season, and while she was included in the Euros 2022 squad, she didn’t get any minutes.

Mary Earps’ importance for the team has never been stronger than when England looked to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games and the Nations League Final. Being the only keeper to be regularly playing, the goalkeeping department was looking a little thin. Hampton had not yet played for Chelsea, Ellie Roebuck wasn’t making match day squads, Khiara Keating was an uncapped teenager and Sandy MacIver switched allegiances to Scotland.

Over the past year, the battle for the spot in the starting lineup has become more intense. For the first two international breaks of the year, including the Euro 2025 qualifiers, the fixtures were shared. In May, Earps sustained a hip injury in the opening minutes of their qualifying game against France, Hampton came on as her replacement and showed Sarina she was worthy of a starting place when she pulled off a stoppage time save keeping England’s European hopes alive.

In October, Wiegman played Hannah Hampton against Germany which suggested she may be taking the lead, but when England faced USA in November, it was Earps who found herself in goal. Sarina says,

“The competition is on, it’s really on”.

As the most recent international break fixtures were shared, it is still unclear who Wiegman will choose to have the number one on their back, and it is likely that it will not be known until the first Euros lineup is announced.