Hannah Hampton appears to have taken the lead in the battle for England’s number one jersey ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship, with head coach Sarina Wiegman revealing the Chelsea goalkeeper is “a little bit ahead” of Mary Earps in the current pecking order.
Earps has long been a key figure in England’s recent success, playing a pivotal role in their UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 triumph and their run to the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, since the start of 2024, Hampton has emerged as a serious contender, having been preferred in each of England’s last three Women’s Nations League fixtures.
Wiegman, who had previously been reluctant to name a definitive first-choice goalkeeper, made her stance clearer ahead of England’s recent clash with Belgium. Speaking to ITV, she said:
“I have two world-class goalkeepers. At the moment, [Hannah] is a little bit ahead.”
A Fierce Battle for the Gloves
There’s no denying Earps’ pedigree. A two-time FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper and Golden Glove winner at the 2023 World Cup, she also claimed the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award – a testament to her consistency and excellence.
Her international career began in 2017 against Switzerland, but she struggled to secure a regular spot in the years that followed, competing with Karen Bardsley, Carly Telford, and Ellie Roebuck. Wiegman’s appointment in 2021 marked a turning point. Earps immediately became the team’s first choice and was ever-present through Euro 2022, the 2023 World Cup, and the Women’s Nations League campaign.
However, in 2024, Wiegman has leaned toward rotating her goalkeepers, with Hampton starting six of England’s past 10 games. The two shared duties during friendlies against Austria, Italy, Germany, and South Africa. While Earps impressed with a clean sheet against the USA last November, Hampton was given the nod just days later against Switzerland.
Significantly, Hampton has featured in three of the four Nations League fixtures so far, including the victory over reigning world champions Spain. She has now earned 13 caps, recording six clean sheets.
Experience vs. Form
While Earps remains the more experienced option—earning 53 caps and keeping 26 clean sheets—Hampton’s form has been difficult to overlook. Since joining Chelsea and becoming their first-choice goalkeeper, she has conceded just 13 goals in 18 Women’s Super League appearances. Only Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce has a better record this season.
Meanwhile, Earps has continued to impress following her move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer, conceding just 12 goals in 17 league matches.
At 24, Hampton is eight years younger than Earps, raising questions about whether Wiegman is beginning to shift focus toward building for the future.
Expert Reactions
Former England striker Ian Wright backed Wiegman’s decision, highlighting Hampton’s potential:
“The more experience she gets, the better she’ll become. Her distribution is excellent—I think she’s the better goalkeeper overall.”
However, he also acknowledged Earps’ strong presence:
“Mary has main character energy. If she gets another chance, it’ll be tough to displace her. Imagine having her as your back-up at the Euros.”
Former England midfielder Karen Carney believes Wiegman’s endorsement of Hampton brings valuable clarity to the situation:
“Goalkeepers often say they need a clear number one. This might be Wiegman preparing both players—helping Hannah get ready to lead, while also managing Mary’s expectations.”
Meanwhile, ex-England striker Ellen White acknowledged the difficulty Earps may face in adjusting to a secondary role:
“Mary has been phenomenal at tournament after tournament. If she is the number two, that’s going to be a big challenge for her.”
As the 2025 Euros approach, Wiegman faces a delicate balancing act between loyalty to proven experience and trust in emerging talent. For now, the gloves appear to be in Hampton’s hands—but the competition is far from over.