‘Devastated’ Williamson hopes Earps has done right thing

Leah Williamson, the captain of England, expressed hope that Mary Earps’ departure from international football is “the best decision for her.”

Just five weeks before Euro 2025, the Paris St-Germain goalkeeper announced that she had won her final game for England on Tuesday.

Although she was criticized for making her decision, Williamson responded that she thought Earps’ choice was one of the most difficult decisions she had ever made.

She must first be a human, and I hope Mary will be okay. She will be missed.

Williamson, who celebrated her team-mate’s victory against Arsenal on Saturday, said: “I spoke to Mary, she’s one of my closest friends in football, so I’m devastated. I love her. I love being her team-mate.

“I’m very disappointed that those memories are not going to be kept in an England shirt because of the way she wears the shirt,” she said.

She believes that this is the best thing, and I will always be here for her.

Manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her disappointment and sadness at Earps’ choice because she wanted her to join my team.

When she first learned of the goalkeeper’s intentions to step down, she would not give details about the conversations she had with Earps.

Earps helped England reach the 2023 World Cup final and won the 2022 Euros and the 2023 Women’s Finalissima with 53 games played over the course of eight years.

The 32-year-old had recently lost her starting spot in England to Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who had previously won the Fifa Best Goalkeeper award twice in a row.

She must have faced a very difficult decision, and we must do the same,” Wiegman continued.

“Of course, there are some conversations I don’t want to talk about because they are private,” I say. It’s difficult, I find it difficult, and it’s also difficult for her.

She has done an outstanding job for England. We’ve had an incredible journey so far thanks to her enormous impact. That is something I adore.

We have a relationship, and we’ve had a lot of highs and lows along the way. It’s emotional.

That’s what makes it so difficult,” she said. However, because we are entering the Euros, we must move on and don’t have time to celebrate.

England travel to Wembley on Friday (14:45 BST), and then travel to Barcelona to face Spain on Tuesday (14:00 BST).

Chelsea won the Treble and went on to win the title, but Bright, 31, claimed she needs a break because she is mentally and physically at her limit.

Wiegman did not say when she would return for the Euros, but she said she hoped Bright would “take the time that would help her settle in time.”

She must look after herself. We are having conversations, Wiegman continued.

We’ll keep in touch, and I’m hoping she’ll soon feel better, but I’m not certain for the moment.

There are people who can support that, they say. The demands on both the field and the field have grown significantly. We must adapt, which is not always simple.

Williamson, who started every game for Chelsea against the start of Euro 2022, described it as “a brave thing” for the Chelsea defender to speak out about.

I believe it is brave for anyone to speak out about mental health. Williamson said, “I believe it encourages others to do the same.”

After receiving her first senior call-up, Ella Morris received an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which also came with Earps’ retirement and Bright’s withdrawal.

The Football Association stated that they would continue to support Morris, 22, throughout her recovery from the injury she sustained during training.

That is terrible. She performed extremely well when she arrived. She sadly tore her ACL, according to Wiegman, and there was no contact.

She’s devastated, we’re devastated, and of course we wish her a good rehab, but it’s kind of shock that that happened.

After breaking her foot last week, Wiegman confirmed Millie Turner’s chances of making the Euros squad are over.

Due to minor calf injuries, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo and United midfielder Ella Toone are also unavailable for Portugal.

Lauren James, a Chelsea forward, and Wiegman confirmed Hampton will be England’s top goalkeeper starting at the Euros, respectively, with a more positive update.

She said, “She’s in [recovery] still. She is doing very well and is in good shape. She wants to return to her for the Euros, and we want that too.