Hannah Hampton says she will do her best to fill the gloves of the goalkeepers who came before her at this summers European Championship.
Mary Earpss shock international retirement at the end of May left Chelseas Hampton as Englands 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.
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, Id 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.
Im going to be trying my absolute best to fill the gloves of the keepers (who came) before and the success theyve had.
Earpss retirement at age 32 came as a shock to head coach Sarina Wiegman, who admitted she was disappointed by the Paris Saint-Germain players 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 Prides Anna Moorhouse and Manchester Citys 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 its not going to change my mindset. Im 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 theres been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesnt deserve with everything that shes achieved in the game and obviously put womens goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation.
Ive sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think thats all I really can do.
Hampton also paid tribute to Earps as a big personality in the England fold. She said: I dont think I could safely say Im probably as vocal or as big a personality as Mary, when she was playing (for England).
Its 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.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
UK Women’s Football, Women’s World Cup
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