Tuesday marked six months since England’s Lionesses became European Champions, winning the country's first major accolade since the men’s World Cup win in ‘66.
And one of the undisputed staples in Sarina Wiegman’s squad is Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, who has hit tremendous career milestones since the summer. Recognition of Earps’ talent has increased throughout the season for both for club and country, which has seen her nominated for the FIFA Best award alongside top international goalkeeping talent.
Her nomination is another sign of Mary Earps being one of the best international goalkeepers that we will see on the world stage at this summer's FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
She told the Mirror: “It's hard to explain it really because I feel like for so many years, I've just been kind of doing my own thing and these awards and things have obviously existed but I've never really thought too much of it because I've never been in contention with getting anywhere close to them.
“I said the other day, I think my Gran was closer to being named to the top six goalkeepers than I was this time last year. So it's obviously incredibly rewarding to be recognised by people within your industry. So yeah, I hope that it just continues in this way. Because I'm just loving football.”
The 29-year old is now getting attention both on and off the field, she continued: “A few times I've been walking around Tesco or whatever and people followed me up and down the aisles. At first you're sort of a bit paranoid. ‘Oh god, what's going on?’ And then now I feel like it’s nice to have those conversations.
“It's a nice thing because you can see especially with the young girls and boys who are now into the game because they watch the Euros or whatever, then that's like the really fun part.”
European gold medal aside, Earps has shone domestically for Manchester United too. She had her 50th clean sheet against Reading in January and sits top of the league’s goalkeeping standings with a tally of eight clean sheets so far this season. Also with another first, Earps has 150 Women's Super League appearances, the first goalkeeper to do so, and a nomination for the FIFA best award.
For that prolific accolade Earps is against top goalkeeping talent from all over the world: Lyon’s Christiane Endler, Chelsea ’s Ann-Katrin Berger, Wolfsburg’s Merle Frohms who also featured in the Euros final, NWSL Chicago Red Stars’ Alyssa Naeher and Barcelona ’s Sandra Paños.
At club level, Earps’ Manchester United are currently top of the league table as they head into a weekend fixture against Everton on Sunday. As it stands United sit above defending champions Chelsea on goal difference and three points ahead of Arsenal.
Reflecting on their position at this point in the season and how she sees the season unfolding, Eaprs said: “I think we're playing some really good football, where we've obviously picked up some really good results and long may that continue.
“We're not anywhere near the season being finished yet. So I think it's just important that we get as many points on the board as possible. We've still got some really tough games coming up. And you see in the WSL week-in-week-out how anyone can be anyone and if you're not on your game, you will be punished.
“So we have to make sure that we stay really focused and I think we're in a good place as a team but we have to keep delivering and performing because that can change really quickly if we lift off the gas.”
You can cast your vote here for the FIFA Best award.
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