England goalkeeper Mary Earps revealed she has been receiving support from David de Gea during her team’s run to the Women’s Euros final.
Earps has played a vital role in the Lionesses’ campaign, making several fine saves whilst their semi-final against Sweden, which England eventually won 4-0, was still in the balance.
What’s more, their come-from-behind victory against Spain in the quarter-finals would surely not have been possible without Earps clawing away a goal-bound cross by Athenea del Castillo while Sarina Wiegman’s side were a goal down.
ALSO READ: England vs Germany kick-off time, TV channel and live stream
With England firing in 20 goals on their road to Wembley, Earps has been something of an unsung hero, but her performances have drawn praise from De Gea, her male counterpart at Manchester United.
Earps said: “Me and David speak a little bit. He's just messaged me saying congratulations. We message back and forth about results and clean sheets and stuff so that's always nice to have his support.”
Earps has conceded just once during the tournament, but she had to be at her best to maintain that record as Sweden piled on the pressure early at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
It was that sort of form, however, that has allowed her to establish herself as England’s No.1, three years after going to the 2019 World Cup as third choice under Wiegman’s predecessor, Phil Neville.
She is now focusing on the final against Germany, as the Lionesses seek their first major title against the eight-time European champions in front of a sold-out Wembley.
Earps said: “One game to go. We've put ourselves in this position, we've earned the right to be in the final.
“We've worked really hard together and we've got a really good group. We've got another game, it's not done yet but so, so happy that we've made it to the final.
“I think we've been working towards this for a long time. I think we've been really good throughout the tournament but there's still another game today. We're just enjoying it at the minute.
“I'm absolutely loving playing for this team, it's an absolute privilege. I love playing at this level, it's such a fantastic feeling. I feel the team have been amazing and I'm just so proud I can be a part of it.
“I want to help the team in any way that I can and whatever way I'm needed – hopefully I'm never needed in a game because that means the girls and doing unbelievably in front of me – but when I am needed, I want to be there and I want to give my absolute all.
“I think it's also important in terms of making sure we stay focused. I have absolutely no doubt that the way England are as a nation that they'll be fully behind us.
“That support is really what we want, we want to inspire, we want to do the job to the best of our ability and inspire through our performances. Hopefully we've done that.”
Tickets are on sale now for fans to experience a history-making tournament that aims to unite football and communities and amplify the growth of the women’s game. www.uefa.com/womenseuro/ticketing
READ NEXT
- Sara Dabritz reveals Germany's plan for England in Women's Euro 2022 final
- The Lionesses have shown the way at Women's Euro 2022 and we know what must follow
- Sarina Wiegman knows what England can 'exploit' vs Germany
Get your copy of the Women's Euros final official programme here
