Lucy Bronze admitted Mary Earps’ determination to retire from England obligation is “troublesome to take” however hailed the impression the goalkeeper has made because the primary.
Earps introduced her shock retirement from worldwide soccer final week, lower than six weeks earlier than England launched their European Championship title defence.
The 32-year-old earned 53 caps for her nation and performed a starring function in the course of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph in addition to their run to the 2023 World Cup last.
She gained the Greatest FIFA Goalkeeper award in each years however had not too long ago misplaced her beginning place to Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman had mentioned she was “dissatisfied” by Earps’ determination to hold up her gloves, however Bronze was not shocked by the announcement.
“I believe I used to be the primary individual she referred to as,” Bronze mentioned. “I used to be in all probability within the know earlier than everybody else, simply because now we have such a very good bond and connection.
“You consider gamers who know what it means to play for England, and Mary was proper on the high. Her profession for England has been incredible.
“The information was troublesome to take as team-mates as a result of all of us love Mary, all of us need her to be right here. However as a good friend, all of us settle for her determination and rejoice her and every little thing she’s executed for this crew.
“Then we simply should look ahead. We’ve acquired incredible goalkeepers right here, and Mary has left a legacy which means they’re all in an important place. They’re all ready as a result of they’ve had an important mentor to be taught from.
“Hopefully, the goalkeepers that now we have now can stay in that vitality and benefit from the reality they labored alongside such an important skilled, they usually can deliver that to the crew as properly.”
England will seemingly have Millie Vivid again for his or her Euro 2025 marketing campaign, after the Chelsea captain withdrew from the squad for his or her Nations League matches on account of feeling “burnt out”.
Vivid performed in 21 of Chelsea’s 22 Girls’s Tremendous League matches in 2024-25, with solely Hampton (1,980) enjoying extra minutes than the defender (1,823) within the squad.
Throughout all competitions, she made 36 appearances for the Blues this season as they claimed a home treble.
Bronze mentioned she had been in contact along with her Chelsea team-mate, and believes it was a “courageous” determination to talk about her causes for pulling out of the squad.
“Millie is a extremely large character and participant for England and for Chelsea,” Bronze added.
“She’s missed when it comes to what she brings each on and off the pitch. She’s one of many leaders within the crew, not simply because she’s the oldest, however due to her expertise, her attributes as an individual.
“We’ve all spoken to Millie by way of the week, we’re all associates along with her, and we’ve provided her our assist. We wish to ensure that she’s OK.
“Bodily and mentally, it’s been a tricky season for everybody, however having spent daily with Millie, she’s somebody who is kind of powerful and possibly holds so much in. It’s been courageous for her to return out and communicate.
“From a good friend perspective, I simply need her to be OK and provides her as a lot time as she must really feel OK once more.”