The 25-year-old footballer is set to put on the gloves for England at the UEFA European Women's Championship this year after Mary Earps stepped down from the team last month, and Hampton has stressed the Lionesses will be facing more pressure than anything they have previously experienced at the Euros.
Speaking with Elle, she said: “‘There’s pressure on everyone … It’s going to be more competitive than anything [we’ve experienced before].
“We know that if we can prepare ourselves the right way, then we can put on a good show for everyone – that’s what we’re aiming for.”
After Earps had helped push England to victory in Europe in 2022 and to the World Cup final the following year, Hampton admitted she has big shoes to fill.
She said: “I’m normally quite steady, but there have been moments this season where I had much more anxiety than I’ve ever experienced.”
Even so, Hampton’s Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has insisted she has nothing to fear, and has the potential to become “the best goalkeeper in the world”.
Bompastor said: “She has all the qualities to become the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Hampton helped Chelsea see off Manchester United to win the FA Women’s Cup - with the Blues defeating the Reds 3-0 - and Bompastor said the goalkeeper “fits perfectly into [her] game model”.
The Chelsea manager said of Hampton: “She brings a lot of confidence to the squad with her composure on the ball.”
Following England’s shock defeat to Belgium in the UEFA Women’s Nations League in April, Earps handed in her gloves and retired from international football, pathing the way for Hampton to become the Lionesses’ first-choice goalkeeper.
After her departure, England manager Sarina Wiegman said she was “disappointed” Earps had retired from international football.
Weigman said: “I'm really disappointed, I want her in my team.
“That must have been a hard decision for her, and so it is for us. Of course there have been conversations, that's between us, it's confidential.
“She has done such a great job for England, we've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that, that's where the disappointment comes from.”
