Sonia Bompastor has labelled Mary Earps’ comments about Hannah Hampton “not acceptable.” Bompastor went on to comparing Earps and Hampton, “I just think one of them is class, and Hannah [Hampton] is the class one.”
Bompastor was speaking to the media following Chelsea‘s 2-0 victory over London City Lionesses. It was a successful return to club action for Chelsea after the international break but the post match press conference was largely dominated by the explosive extract from Mary Earps’ new book. The Halfway Line was present to hear from the French head coach.
‘I want to show her [Hampton] my support’ says Bompastor
Prior to the weekend The Guardian released an extract of Mary Earps’ new book entitled ‘All In’. The extract related to Earps’ controversial international retirement this summer. In it she was critical of Sarina Wiegman’s decision to make Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton England number one. Sonia Bompastor came to the staunch defensive of her player when asked about it,
“I think Hannah is fine but of course, it’s tough” Bompastor explained.
“It’s tough because Hannah is an athlete but also a person, and that’s never nice to hear these comments. The only thing I want to say about Hannah is since I joined Chelsea, she’s grown so much, and she’s such a professional athlete and also a good person.
“We have a really good relationship together. I want to show her my support in this situation. I just think, [it’s] never easy for anyone to be in this situation. And the other thing I would like to say, it’s more about respect.
“I just think with what I read in terms of comments coming from Mary Earps, it’s not acceptable just not to show respect to your teammate or your manager. I would say we are talking about Hannah, but I would also raise my voice for Sarina [Wiegman].
“I just think when you use some words saying something about someone who won the European Championship three times in a row, you should probably think about it before you speak.
“So, yeah, just about respect. How can you show respect to your teammate, to your manager? And yeah, for me again, Hannah has been fine with us, and all the club and myself, all the staff and all the players are behind her.
“I think when I say she was fine, I don’t think she wanted to talk a lot about that again, it’s tough as a person, what she’s going through, but we just want to show her the respect and the love.
“I think she knows she can trust me. She can come and talk to me anytime she wants. Sometimes better than words, it’s also just the eyes. And I think she knows I’m here with her. And yeah, if she probably needs for us to have a conversation later, it will happen, for sure. But yeah, just for now, I think she’s fine.”
Hannah Hampton is ‘the best goalkeeper in the world’ lauds Sonia Bompastor
Hampton had a great game in goal for Chelsea in victory over London City. She kept a clean sheet and made several smart and pivotal interventions. Bompastor continued to lavish praise on her number one,
“I think probably what she was able to achieve today show how much is class and professional” lauded Bompastor.
“I think, as I mentioned before, it’s always tough for someone to have to read these comments. I think the fact she was able even to play, to start the game and to perform just shows how good she is.
“I think I already mentioned she is the best goalkeeper in the world in many ways. And I think, yeah, she has a lot of quality as an athlete, but also mentally. She just proved today how strong she is.
“But again, it’s good to show that one time, but now we need to make sure she’s being consistent. But yeah, if you look at what Hannah just said in the previous comment she made about Mary Earps and what Mary Earps is saying about Hannah, I just think one of them is class, and Hannah is the class one.”
Sam Kerr is ‘getting back to a good level’ Sonia Bompastor states
Sam Kerr scored her first goal at Stamford Bridge for quite some time on Saturday, coming off the bench to score a magnificent trade mark chip.
“Yeah, more positive news. And yeah, that’s good to talk about it” Bompastor said.
“Yeah, really pleased for Sam [Kerr] I think, as you could see, she’s been building on minutes. She was able to play more minutes with national team. I know she’s getting back to a good level. I think today she came in and she made an impact in the game.
“She scored a really important goal for the team. Yeah, after the goal, she scored the game was over, even if it was in extra time. Nice for her, for her confidence and for the team. So hopefully we’ll see some making even more steps to get closer to her best level.”
Sandy Baltimore was substituted at half time and Bompastor confirmed that this was less injury related and more to do with needing fresh legs on the pitch,
“I think Sandy [Baltimore] is fine. She just got a knock early. Why I made the decision to bring Niamh in was more to bring more fresh legs, I think probably today, Sandy didn’t have the energy I wanted her to have, but she seems fine.”
