EMILY RAMSEY would love to be part of the England squad Sarina Wiegman selects to compete for this year’s World Cup.
But with competition for three goalkeeper spots in the 23-player group being fierce, the newest member of Wiegman’s Lionesses is taking anything for granted.
Ahead of the Arnold Clark Cup which starts on Thursday, Ramsey received her first call-up to the senior national squad
Her call-up follows her standout performances for Everton who are currently sixth in the WSL after six wins and a draw in 12 games.
In recent seasons Ramsey, who is 22 and was born in Salford, has put in some eye-catching shifts between the sticks on loan at the Toffees
The shot-stopper, regarded as an up and coming star at her parent club Manchester United, has kept three clean sheets.
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An effort that has seen the uncapped WSL shot stopper make the transition from England’s Under-23s.
Reflecting the moment she received the news of her call-up, Ramsey said: “I was at home.
“I’d finished training and I was literally sitting on my sofa, and I saw it was Sarina’s number that called me and I was like ‘oh my God’.
“She said she’d be really glad to have me in on camp, and I was just buzzing.
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“It feels great. I’m really, really enjoying it so far.”
Among Ramsey’s team-mates is England’s number one Mary Earps who was part of the squad that made history last summer becoming the first Lionesses side to win the Euros.
Since then the Man United star, who has made 29 senior international appearances, went on to become the first shot stopper to keep 50 clean sheets in the WSL.
It was a feat she achieved during the Red Devils 6-0 defeat of Liverpool in January.
And Ramsey says she enjoys the dynamic of training alongside her goalkeeper team-mates including Earps.
In January the United number one was named one of three players shortlisted for the 2022 Best Fifa Women’s Goalkeeper Award.
The other two contenders are Chelsea ace Ann-Katrin Berger and Lyon’s Christine Endler.
Ramsey added: “We have a good dynamic when we’re training together.
“Mary is definitely someone that I look up to, with where she’s taken herself to in the last couple of years and the success that she’s had, as well as striving to compete with her.
“We have a competitive environment, which I think is really important.
“It’s not coming in and – yes, Mary is the number one, she is – but it’s that training, that competitive edge and me competing against her almost.
“It’s a fun environment to be in but, also, it pushes everyone.”
In recent months a few Lionesses Under-23s talents, managed by Mo Marley, have made the move into the senior side.
In addition to Ramsey they include Man United defender Maya Le Tissier and Brighton forward Katie Robinson.
Both made their senior debuts for England during a 1-1 friendly draw with Norway last November.
And Chelsea forward Lauren James made hers during England’s 2-0 World Cup qualifier win against Austria last September.
Having a group of players rising through the ranks together from Marley’s group into Wiegman’s is something Ramsey sees as beneficial.
Ramsey said: “It’s great for all of us to be honest and all of the younger players have each other to look to or get advice from.
“The first person I texted was Lauren Hemp.
“I’ve been mithering her a little bit before camp asking ‘what should I bring?’.
“But it’s nice when you’ve got that support around you and people that are in the same situation and feeling the same things that you’re feeling.”
On if she has given much thought to the possibility of claiming a World Cup squad spot, Ramsey added: “I think it’s something you’d be silly not to think about – it is there.
“But, for me, my focus all season has just been club and trying to cement myself and play games and play against the best teams in the league.
“That, to be honest, has been my main focus and it’s obviously those games that have taken me to this point here.
“Away from camp, I will still continue to focus on that.
“There’s four goalkeepers in this camp and three will be in the squad for the World Cup.
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“It’s a competition, realistically. I would love to be there but nothing can be taken for granted.
“Going away and playing in the WSL is the only thing that’s going to ultimately push everyone to that level.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
