Mary Earps has promised England fans that “the best is yet to come” ahead of Saturday’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Colombia.
The Lionesses take on the South Americans with a semi-final against co-hosts Australia or France the prize on offer.
Other than a 6-1 win over China in the group stage, England have struggled to hit top form at the tournament so far and they needed penalties to beat Nigeria in the last 16 on Monday after 120 goalless minutes and Lauren James’ red card.
But goalkeeper Earps is not worried and believes the quality in Sarina Wiegman’s squad can take their performances to another level.
“I really believe the best is yet to come,” said Earps. “There’s so much talent in the group and so many more levels that we can go to.
“There’s incredible experience from games that we’ve had together as an international team, but also with the teams we play for at club level — all the different fixtures we’ve experienced over the years when you look at Champions League games and title races.
“I think it’s an exciting time to be an England player, for sure, but we have to earn that right every day. I think we’re constantly looking to improve, drive our performances and our standards. That’s the best thing about it.
“We’re not sitting here just happy to be here — we’re not satisfied, we’re not done. There’s still more levels we want to go to.”
England’s solid defence has been one bright spot for them at this World Cup, and the only goal they have conceded so far was a contentious penalty against China.
Manchester United’s Earps, who was named the best goalkeeper in the world at the FIFA Best Awards last year, has shone, and she believes results are the only things that matter at tournaments.
“The most important thing to note is that we’ve been winning games,” she said. “That’s the most important thing.
“We’re in a results-business, so we’ve earned the right to be in this position we’re in today.
“But I have been training with the players every day, seen them personally and have had the privilege of working with them for some time and I can see the talent in the team day-to-day.
“I don’t think we’ve been bad by any means, but you’ve seen glimpses of what we’re capable of. We know and understand where we want to get to. We know we can give more.”
England will be without Lauren James against Colombia, as she is suspended for two games after her red card against Nigeria on Monday, but other than that they have a fully fit squad.
