England’s goalkeeping union is in rude health – and Siobhan Chamberlain says her fellow custodians are prepared to give boss Mark Sampson a selection headache ahead of Euro 2017.
Chamberlain and her Lionesses team-mates are in La Manga for their opening two matches of 2017, against Norway (Sunday 22 January) and Sweden (Tuesday 24 January).
Sixty-five cap keeper Karen Bardsley was forced to pull out of the squad with a thigh injury and was replaced by Birmingham youngster Sophie Baggaley.
And Chamberlain believes the strength in depth in England goalkeeping ranks is as strong as it has been for years.
She said: “There are three places available for the Euros and there are six, seven or eight of us in contention.
“There hasn’t been that many for quite a while.
“It’s a really strong union. We’ve got to be competitive because there’s only that one spot, but because we’re so close together we’ve all got to support the person that’s playing.
“[With Bardsley absent] it’s a great opportunity for all of us. We’ve just got to keep working.”
Chamberlain continued: “You always want more and more keepers.
“We want young girls to want to play in goal and it’s fantastic to see so many young keepers out there.
“We watched the U17s World Cup and have watched the U19s too, and there are some really good goalkeepers coming through for England.”
But for now Chamberlain is focused on the double-header against the Scandinavian powerhouses.
First up is Norway on Sunday afternoon. England ran out 2-1 winners the last time the two sides met, in the knockout stages of the 2015 World Cup.
But, ranked 11th in the world, Roger Finjord’s side are still a force to be reckoned with.
Chamberlain said: “I watched the Norway-Sweden game on Thursday and got a little bit of info from that, but we’re doing our preparation as a team as well and finding out all about their strengths and weaknesses.
“Norway have got some very clinical finishers and are quite technical too. They are a big, aggressive side.
“We will look to play to our strengths and nullify theirs.
“It’s normally a fairly even contest every time we play them, and it was the last time, when a fantastic goal by Lucy gave us the win.”
Goalkeepers: Sophie Baggaley* (Birmingham City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Mary Earps (Reading), Carly Telford (Notts County).
Defenders: Laura Bassett (Notts County), Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Jo Potter (Notts County), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), Jade Moore (Notts County), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Arsenal).
Forwards: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Danielle Carter (Arsenal), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Gemma Davison (Chelsea), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Jodie Taylor (Arsenal), Rachel Williams (Notts County), Ellen White (Notts County).
*replaced Karen Bardsley (Manchester City)
