Where does Earps retirement leave England?

With the announcement of Mary Earps’ international retirement, England’s preparations for the European Championship this summer have been hampered.

The 32-year-old had been the Lionesses’ undisputed starting goalkeeper since 2021, but Hannah Hampton recently let her down.

Earps announced her immediate retirement on Tuesday, just five weeks before the tournament’s debut, with Hampton anticipated to start in goal at Euro 2025 in Switzerland this summer.

Nobody, not even Wiegman, was predicting Earps’ retirement at this time.

The England manager acknowledged that she was disappointed by Earps’ decision despite wishing she would play an “important role” this summer.

Only their team-mates from Earps’ release on Monday made the announcement when they had reported for upcoming Nations League games against Portugal and Spain. She left the house without going to the gym.

“I don’t believe any of us anticipated that.” Ellen White, the winner of Euro 2022, told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Women’s Football Weekly, “I’m in shock really.”

It is “very close to the Euros.” Because it is so crazy, I have no idea what to say. The timing and degree of integration with the Euros surprise.

She will be a big loss because she is a very strong character and a team leader, White said.

England midfielder Keira Walsh remarked, “She brings a lot of energy when it’s needed,” adding that “one thing I know about her is that when the team is at a low point or in a tournament where the emotions sometimes dip.

Earps, who has 53 caps, twice received the award for the world’s best female goalkeeper, helped England win Euro 2022, reach the final of the 2023 World Cup, and has twice been named the best female goalkeeper, among other things.

She is a fantastic goalkeeper, according to her. Without her, the Lionesses would not have won the Euros, according to fellow Euros-winner Jill Scott.

One thing is certain about Earps’ retirement: Hampton is England’s number one. There are still unanswered questions.

The 24-year-old has only had 13 caps since making her senior debut in 2022, partly because of concerns about attitude and Earps’ form, which led to her being expelled from the squad later that year.

Hampton has started England’s final three games before Earps, including an impressive 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley, while she also contributed a significant part to Chelsea’s domestic treble this season.

There is no denying that she is England’s number one, according to White.

“I believe that now she is under a lot of strain,” she said. Hannah has that quality in her, and she definitely has that quality now.

She is an incredible goalkeeper, and she has a lot of [club] experience.

Earps “would have challenged Hannah,” in Scott’s opinion, irrespective of whether or not they had started England’s Euros opener against France on July 5.

“I’ve known her since she was 16 at Birmingham,” White remarked.

What should Wiegman do in the event Hampton is injured or suspended during the Euros is the obvious concern?

Keating, who has had a disappointing season and has yet to earn a senior cap, is most likely the player to follow.

The 20-year-old shared game time with summer signing Ayaka Yamashita after winning the WSL Golden Glove award and starting all 22 of City’s 22 previous seasons’ women’s super league games.

Keating made a number of errors, including two, in her 4-2 home defeat against Manchester United, which significantly reduced her performance.

She distributes in the WSL among the strongest, just like Hampton.

The other goalkeeper in Wiegman’s squad is Moorhouse, who is also uncapped.

Since never playing for England at a youth level, the 30-year-old Orlando Pride goalkeeper was called up for her first senior call-up in July.

If Wiegman wants to expand her goalkeeping group, Ellie Roebuck might be a wildcard.

After falling out of favor with Gareth Taylor at Manchester City, Roebuck suffered a stroke after agreeing to join Barcelona. The 25-year-old underwent a turbulent couple of years.

Roebuck is recovering fully, but she has only made two league starts since joining the Catalan club last summer.

Even though her most recent call-up was in October 2023, she has more experience than Keating and Moorhouse, with 11 England caps.