Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was forced off with an injury in her team’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal. As a consequence, she’s poised to miss at least three weeks of action. This sad blow could prevent her from playing for the rest of the season. Concerns about her prospects for future international windows are mounting.
The injury stands to be an even larger blow for England. Injuries could force Hampton to miss crucial matches against China and Ghana later this month. Without her, there’s a huge hole to fill on the pitch. That’s a question that Coach Sarina Wiegman has to address before the next international break at the end of November.
With Hampton’s departure, 21-year-old Khiara Keating is expected to start in Hampton’s place once again. Keating previously replaced Hampton in an earlier match and made her international debut during the last camp, although it resulted in a defeat to Brazil. While her experience is still short, it can be key as the national team look to get ready for these crucial games.
“Livia Peng will likely continue to fill Hannah Hampton’s position at club level,” a source indicated. Peng has made a big impact already, keeping a clean sheet on her debut in a 6-0 win against St Polten. The Swiss international has to do better. It’s going to get a whole lot tougher with the likes of Barcelona and Wolfsburg looming on the horizon in the knockout stages.
As the team navigates this period of uncertainty, the coaching staff may look to provide Keating with a vote of confidence. Callum Bishop remarked on the situation, stating, “When one door closes, another one opens.” Such a sentiment points to the possibility that other competitors can take advantage of the opportunity that Hampton’s injury presents.
It’s a brutal, deep cut to the young goalkeeper’s chances. She was rapidly becoming an indispensable force for both her club and her country. Mary Earps, another prominent figure in women’s football, made remarks regarding Hampton that have drawn attention but are not central to this unfolding story.
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