Mary Earps: From Out of Favour to Best Goalkeeper in the World
England No.1 Mary Earps has gone from being out of favour with the national team to being named the best goalkeeper in the world. The Manchester United star was recently named Fifa Best Goalkeeper of 2022 following a year which saw her win the European Championship with the Lionesses, conceding just two goals and keeping four clean sheets as Sarina Wiegman’s side won the trophy on home soil.
But it wasn’t all that long ago that Earps was in the international wilderness, spending two years out of the squad before Dutchwoman Wiegman installed her as first choice following her appointment in 2021. Now, Earps is looking forward to the World Cup, where England begin Group D against minnows Haiti on Saturday morning, firmly established as a global superstar when it comes to shot-stopping.
In an interview with Metro, Earps said she hopes to be a ‘beacon of light’ for women’s footballers and that she consoled United team-mates Nikita Parris and Maya Le Tissier, who were left out. She said, ‘It is hard – it’s a sensitive topic. I’ve been in a position where I’ve not made squads and I wouldn’t say I’m the perfect team-mate, but I did reach out to Keets and Maya. I just told them, “I’m there if you need me”. Both of them had great seasons individually.’
Earps maintains expectation is nothing new for an England side who won the Euros at home last summer, believing that as well as the continental champions there are several sides who could win the World Cup. She said, ‘There are a number of teams in that conversation and that’s where women’s football is at now. Spain, Germany, France, the USA of course, Australia as hosts – lots of teams who could go all the way. The competition will be tough but we’re really looking forward to it. People will talk about it all the time, “Can England win?” That’s all! People will say it regardless of what we think. I’m not feeling it too (the pressure) much at the moment.’
Earps will line up alongside Alessia Russo, the striker who recently left United for Arsenal on a free transfer after her Red Devils contract expired, in Australia and New Zealand. The pair are good friends, as well as former club-mates, and Earps says Russo’s move will not change that. She said, ‘I want to support her as best I can as her friend but her career is totally her business and nobody knows what’s going on in someone’s life or career really. I will try to support her wherever she is and we will always be friends.’
It’s not reality to be the world’s best when you’re not picked, but there’s no flowers without rain and Mary Earps is a testament to that. She has worked hard and stayed focused on her goals even when times were tough and now she is an inspiration to young girls everywhere who are looking to make their mark in women’s football.
Earps is working with McDonald’s to promote football for young girls and hopes to encourage the next generation of girls to get involved. She said, ‘I would love to be a beacon of light, I would love for people to look at me that way. You don’t know where you will end up but it could be somewhere really great and it can be if you work hard.’
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