Aston Villa Women should jump at Hannah Hampton loan opportunity if Chelsea transfer confirmed
Aston Villa Women have been dealt a sucker punch after their hugely successful 2022/23 WSL season, with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton set to join Chelsea.
Hampton, who joined Villa in 2021, made her England debut last year and was an unused substitute during the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 success.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday evening (13 June), journalist Michael McCann shared that the 22-year-old would be joining Emma Hayes this summer after the conclusion of her contract in the West Midlands.
“Exclusive,” he wrote. “I understand that Aston Villa and Lionesses goalkeeper Hannah Hampton is joining Chelsea.
“Her two-footed distribution is particularly attractive to Chelsea though she must fight for her chance.
“A 2023-24 loan move is possible.”
Considering there is already strong competition for the number one jersey at Chelsea, with Ann-Katrin Berger, Zecira Musovic, Eimly Orman and Nicky Evrard already contracted, Villa should remain on red-hot alert.
If Hayes doesn’t see a position in the first-team for the shot-stopper next term, Aston Villa should jump at the opportunity to take her back on loan, with the club unlikely to find a successor who fits into Carla Ward’s mould as well as the Lioness does this summer.
Hampton is widely regarded as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in the game and was previously tipped with moves to a number of top sides within the WSL.
Anna Leat is the current understudy at Bodymoor Heath, and she is still in the equation for a first-team spot next season after memorably saving four penalties en route to a shoot-out win against Manchester United on debut and impressing whenever called upon last campaign.
However, the departing Villa goalkeeper is the calibre of player who can help Villa break into the established top four with her incredible distribution and awareness on the ball.
It is a shame that Hampton ran down her contract and is set to leave, but all is not over with a potential loan return still on the cards.
In other Aston Villa news, this transfer is now off after a “terrible” turn of events.