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, it’s fair to say Emma Hayes is a good judge of character.

So when she was asked about Hannah Hampton’s performance in Chelsea’s victory over Arsenal, her response was telling.

‘I say this as the future USA coach: England are so lucky. She could have had the pick of many clubs but she trusted me in the vision I had for her.

‘I remember watching her play maybe four years ago when she was at Birmingham and I said “she is going to be a top, top goalkeeper” and I genuinely believe Hannah has all the ability to become the best in the world.’

Hampton signed for Chelsea on a free transfer last summer but did not make her Women’s Super League debut until November. The competition is strong. Hampton is one of three quality goalkeepers. Ann-Katrin Berger has been Chelsea’s No 1 for the last four years while Zecira Musovic enjoyed a fantastic World Cup with Sweden.

So when she was asked about Hannah Hampton’s performance in Chelsea ’s victory over Arsenal, her response was telling

Hampton is considered the No 2 to Mary Earps for England but has just three caps. Part of this is because Earps and Ellie Roebuck had been the top two choices since Sarina Wiegman came in – Roebuck has now moved down the pecking order after falling out of favour at Manchester City – but part of it is also because Hampton spent over six months out of the England set-up over allegations of a poor attitude.

Wiegman did not speak about it publicly, only stating that Hampton had ‘personal matters’ to resolve. Hampton was playing for Aston Villa at the time and news of attitude issues arose after her manager Carla Ward said she had been left out of the squad to face Chelsea in the ‘best interests of the team’.

It is easy for one story to define a player’s career. Once accusations of a negative attitude arise, they are hard to shake off.

But there is more to Hampton and her journey. She was born with strabismus, a condition where the eyes point in different directions. She needed three operations as a toddler, none of which fully corrected the problems.

At the age of 12 she was also diagnosed with depth perception issues, which means she struggles to judge how far away an object is and finds it difficult to pour a drink into a glass.

Told to abandon her dream of playing professional football, Hampton’s journey to becoming an international goalkeeper is quite remarkable.

Away from the pitch, she is clearly intelligent. Hampton speaks fluent Spanish, having moved there with her parents at the age of five before returning to England aged 10, and she is clearly a player who thinks deeply.

The players who were part of the Euros squad in 2022 were given a copy of The History of Women’s Football by Jean Williams in camp and Hampton spoke passionately about how the book had inspired her.

‘The first night I read 50-odd pages and I just kept going, it was great,’ Hampton said at the time. ‘We had a lot of previous England players come in a couple of camps ago.

‘They told us about their story and how they were involved in England… that was really eye-opening for what they’ve achieved in their careers.’

Hampton signed for Chelsea on a free transfer last summer but did not make her Women’s Super League debut until November

A bubbly and energetic character around England’s camps, Hampton 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 thrilled to speak to her for several minutes before gifting her a piece of training wear.

Those who work closely with Hampton will tell you she has matured immensely in the last year.

‘I’ve really loved my time with Hannah,’ Hayes said. ‘I said to 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’s fought really hard but she’s blended in really well.’

When Hayes signs players, she prioritises character as much as talent. Hampton, clearly, has ticked both boxes.

ARSENAL LOOK TO BE OUT OF THE TITLE RACE 

Arsenal gave Jonas Eidevall a new contract, understood to be three years in length, in October. With six games to go of the WSL season, the Gunners look to be out of the title race after defeat at Chelsea last week. 

The Continental League Cup is now their best chance of silverware but would winning that and finishing third – matching their achievements of last season – be considered enough? Would losing that final and finishing third be seen as unacceptable? They have not had European football to contend with due to being 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 look particularly impressed with what she saw watching from the stands at Stamford Bridge as she continues to recover 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 gave Jonas Eidevall a new contract, understood to be three years in length, in October

YEOVIL TOWN STEAMROLL EIGHTH-TIER SIDE 

Yeovil Town announced the reinvigoration of their women’s football team last year. The club had been in talks to enter at tier five and six but were eventually placed in tier seven. On Sunday, they beat eighth-tier side Porlock FC 29-0 in the League Cup. 

A quick glance at Division One for the Somerset County League shows you that Yeovil have won all of their 14 games and have a goal difference of 69. They’re Cup victory is 28 goals short of the world record – held by Willenhall Town Ladies who beat Burton Brewers Ladies 57-0 in 2001.