KATHRYN BATTE: Emma Hayes believes Hannah Hampton will become the best goalkeeper in the WORLD… while Arsenal may be regretting giving Jonas Eidevall a new three-year deal
After years of working with some of the best players in the world, we can say that Emma Hayes is a good judge of character.
So when asked about Hannah Hampton’s performance in Chelsea’s win over Arsenal, her answer was telling.
‘I say this as a future US coach: England are so lucky. She could have chosen from many clubs, but she trusted me in the vision I had for her.
“I remember watching her play four years ago when she was playing in Birmingham and I said, ‘She’s going to be a top goalkeeper’, and I honestly believe Hannah has all the potential to be the best in the world.”
Hampton signed for Chelsea on a free transfer last summer, but only made her Women’s Super League debut in November. The competition is strong. Hampton is one of three quality goalies. Ann-Katrin Berger has been Chelsea’s number 1 for the past four years, while Zecira Musovic enjoyed a fantastic World Cup with Sweden.
After years of working with some of the best players in the world, we can say that Emma Hayes (pictured right) is a good judge of character
So when asked about Hannah Hampton’s performance in Chelsea’s win over Arsenal, her answer was telling
Hampton is considered Mary Earps’ No. 2 for England but has just three caps. Part of this is because Earps and Ellie Roebuck were the top two choices since Sarina Wiegman came in – Roebuck has now moved up the pecking order after falling out of favor at Manchester City – but part of it is also because Hampton spent more than six months out of the England line-up due to accusations of poor attitude.
Wiegman did not speak publicly about it, but only stated that Hampton had to resolve “personal matters.” Hampton was playing for Aston Villa at the time and news of attitude problems emerged after her manager Carla Ward said she had been left out of the squad to face Chelsea in the ‘best interests of the team’.
One story can easily define a player’s career. Once accusations of negative attitudes arise, they are difficult to shake off.
But there’s more to Hampton and her journey. She was born with strabismus, a condition in which the eyes point in different directions. As a toddler, she required three surgeries, but none completely resolved the problems.
At age 12, she was also diagnosed with depth perception problems, meaning she has difficulty judging how far away an object is and finds it difficult to pour a drink into a glass.
Hampton’s journey to becoming an international goalkeeper while having to give up her dream of playing professional football is quite remarkable.
Off the field she is clearly intelligent. Fluent in Spanish, Hampton moved there with her parents at the age of five before returning to England at the age of 10, and she is clearly a deep-thinking player.
The players who made the 2022 Euros squad were given a copy of The History of Women’s Football by Jean Williams at the camp and Hampton spoke passionately about how the book had inspired her.
“The first night I read about fifty pages and I just kept going, it was great,” Hampton said at the time. ‘A few camps ago we had a lot of English players from the past.
‘They told us about their story and how they were involved in England… it was a real eye-opener to what they have achieved in their careers.’
Hampton signed for Chelsea on a free transfer last summer, but only made her Women’s Super League debut in November
Hampton is a vibrant and energetic character in the English camps and is generous with her time.
When 100-year-old fan Lyn was a special guest at a Lionesses training session at St George’s Park in November, Hampton seemed genuinely excited to chat with her for a few minutes before gifting her with a tracksuit.
Those who work closely with Hampton will tell you that she has matured tremendously in the past year.
“I really enjoyed my time with Hannah,” Hayes said. “I told her yesterday I wish we had longer. I really enjoy her company, I really enjoy her journey and her backstory.
“I love her spirit, I love her mentality. “I think she’s had a tough time and she came to Chelsea and she fought really hard, but she’s fitting in really well.”
When Hayes signs players, she prioritizes character as much as talent. Hampton clearly checked both boxes.
ARSENAL APPEARS TO BE OUT OF THE TITLE RACE
Arsenal signed Jonas Eidevall on a new three-year contract in October. With six games remaining in the WSL season, the Gunners appear to be out of the title race after defeat to Chelsea last week.
The Continental League Cup is now their best chance of success, but would winning it and finishing in third place – similar to their performance last season – be considered enough? Would losing that final and finishing third be seen as unacceptable? They have not faced European football as they were knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying stages, which should have helped their domestic form.
Vivianne Miedema is out of contract at the end of the season and did not seem particularly impressed by what she saw from the stands at Stamford Bridge while recovering from injury. Eidevall may feel under pressure, but as Chelsea are finding, the pool of world-class managers is small and looking for an alternative is easier said than done.
Arsenal signed Jonas Eidevall on a new three-year contract in October
YEOVIL TOWN STEAMROLL EIGHTH SIDE
Yeovil Town announced the revival of their women’s football team last year. The club was in talks to participate in levels five and six, but was ultimately placed in level seven. On Sunday they defeated eighth-tier Porlock FC 29-0 in the League Cup.
A quick look at Division One for the Somerset County League shows that Yeovil have won all 14 of their games and have a goal difference of 69. Their cup win is 28 goals shy of the world record – held by Willenhall Town Ladies who defeated Burton Brewers Ladies 57-0 in 2001.