Football General Manager
- Hampton played key role in victory
- Took over from Mary Earps in goal
- Bardsley believes she has proved doubters wrong
Hampton enjoyed a spectacular tournament with the Lionesses, and capped it with a stunning performance in the final against Spain, saving two penalties in the shootout as the Lionesses won back-to-back European Championships, becoming the first-ever England team to do so. Hampton also saved two penalties in the quarter-final against Sweden.
The Chelsea star’s performances are made all the more incredible by the fact she has overcome strabismus, an eye condition that severely affects her depth perception. She has also had to deal with a severe backlash to her selection after Mary Earps retired from international duty, and she was drafted in to replace her.
Bardsley told The Sports Agents podcast: “She’s quite understated, isn’t she? In the way she kind of goes about things.
“Which makes me think of a conversation I had last night at the game, actually. We were standing there, watching them get the trophy, and we’re just like, ‘Do you think she actually knows how good she is?’ Because the way she comes across, it’s like it’s normal, you know? And the things that she can do. She’s incredible!”
She added: “You mentioned there, around the Mary Earps’ retirement and kind of the backlash that got her through absolutely no fault of her own. You know, the feeling that fans weren’t quite on her side. But, you know, she handled that. That’s big pressure. The shirt, you know, it’s a big responsibility. And I certainly think she’s added a lovely layer to it.
“She’s overcome a lot. And again, I think it’s very fitting that she is in this team, because they encapsulate that everywhere. That pass [against Sweden] again, for me, it was incisive. It went across all of the lines of the Dutch team, just tore them apart with one pass… I just think her distribution is a weapon, and that’s why Serena [Wiegman] has made the decision, and it’s paid off.”
Hampton has now returned to England with her victorious team-mates. She will have some time to bask in her heroics before the 2025-26 season gets underway.
