England No.1 Mary Earps hopes she can be a ‘beacon of light’ for women’s footballers after going from being out of favour with the national team to the best goalkeeper in the world.
The star was named 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 was not all that long ago the 30-year-old 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, and the former Reading keeper has not looked back since.
Earps was instrumental in ’s success a year ago and goes into the , morning, firmly established as a global superstar when it comes to shot-stopping.
But there were times when life was not as good, and she has not forgotten.
‘I would love to be a beacon of light, I would love for people to look at me that way,’ she told Metro.
‘You don’t know where you will end up but it could be somewhere really great and it can be if you work hard,’ she said, adding that she consoled United team-mates Nikita Parris and Maya Le Tissier, who were left out.
‘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.
‘For me [during those trying times], not trying to focus on any expectation or pressure on myself to achieve things was the first thing I had to get out of the habit of because I wasn’t operating at that level at the time.
‘I had to recharge myself, find the little joys in life, little things to focus on. Trying to be the best keeper in the world is not reality at that moment – you’re not being picked. But there are no flowers without rain and that’s what I realised.’
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.
‘Playing for your country at a World Cup is just the best and pressure is just because people think you’re capable of winning. 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 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.
‘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,’ she added.
It’s not reality to be the world’s best when you’re not picked, but there’s no flowers without rain
Mary Earps was speaking at a special McDonald’s Fun Football session to celebrate the opening of sessions in Lionesses’ hometowns during the Women’s World Cup. Mary hopes to encourage the next generation of girls to get involved. Sign up to your nearest free session at mcdonalds.co.uk/football
