England’s Mary Earps has revealed the public high of winning Euro 2022 and being named FIFA women’s goalkeeper of the year resulted in an unwelcome private battle to “feel human again”. The Manchester United keeper, set to start in the Lionesses’ World Cup opener against Haiti on Saturday, has cemented her place as England’s number one since the arrival of boss Sarina Wiegman, whom Earps often credits for reigniting a career she once thought had ground to a halt. Though the 30-year-old loved “experiencing almost how the Kardashians live” at FIFAs swanky February awards ceremony in Paris, she was surprised by the corresponding lows in the aftermath. Earps, speaking from England’s team hotel in Brisbane, said: “I was speaking with Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher, and we were talking about the difference between winning a tournament and then having a disappointing tournament and how different it’s to come back from that. And I was saying for me personally, I felt like that was the hardest thing I ever did. “Okay, that’s an exaggeration. Not the hardest thing I ever did, but it was the hardest footballing thing to come back to. “Like you’ve been on this massive high for so long and then you come back to normal life where you are not in this bubble, you’re not living in this little world, you’re not surrounded by people. “And it’s absolutely a life of privilege, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a lot to adjust to coming back and going back to training every day. It was hard to find your feet as to what normal felt like. And it probably took me till after December to feel human again Mary Earps “Not at that intensity, not at that pressure, but also with that comes an incredible adrenaline rush. And not having that every day, it was hard to find your feet as to what normal felt like. And it probably took me till after December to feel human again. “And then obviously the FIFA Best came and I felt like I had to start all over again. “It’s a privilege to be in that situation and a problem that I would love to have every single year, but it was definitely hard to adjust.” England vice-captain Earps may need to repeat that process again should the Lionesses, among the tournament favourites, lift the trophy that has eluded them in five previous World Cup appearances. At the beginning of 2021, Earps was on the verge of quitting football altogether. Her contract at United was coming to an end and she had not featured for England since November 2019. Yet Wiegman saw something in Earps when she took the reins in September 2021 and recalled the Nottingham native and 2019 World Cup veteran as part of her first selected squad, handing her a fresh start in England’s 8-0 victory over North Macedonia to begin the World Cup qualifiers. Earps, who was also offered a new deal with United, has seized the opportunity with both gloves ever since and was instrumental in ensuring four of the Lionesses’ six matches in their unbeaten run to lift the Euro 2022 trophy were clean-sheet victories. Perhaps Earps’ path is most aptly illustrated by her journey to and from the FIFA awards, where she had a personal security guard named Johnny and the “surreal” experience of discussing the finer points of goalkeeping with Argentinian World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez and Arsene Wenger. Earps took EasyJet on the way there, but flew business class on the way back, where she was closer to the front than she had ever been in her life. Yet before the Golden Gloves, the first-class keeper was determined to elevate England to new heights. She added: “I always thought it was there. I didn’t think that it would burn as deeply as it’s burning. It’s like a fire in your belly that I’ve always had. But I think you’re always trying to achieve things that you don’t know if it’s going to be possible. “You’re like, that’s what you’re striving for, you’re striving for this excellence and you’re constantly on this pursuit of, ‘How far can I go? How high can I go?’ “And to actually achieve those things just makes me want to fill my cabinet with even more trophies and medals really. It doesn’t make me feel like, ‘Job done’, which I thought that it would. It makes me just want to do more, do better.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Matt Doherty returns to Wolves after Atletico Madrid exit England will temper sweet temptation to be at peak for World Cup – Lewis Ludlam Zak Crawley’s rapid century puts England on top in fourth Ashes Test

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Demarai Gray has completed his move from Everton to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The 27-year-old becomes the latest Premier League player to head to the Saudi Pro League, joining Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum at the side managed by Steven Gerrard. Gray’s departure from Goodison Park for an undisclosed fee believed to be £8million comes after his relationship with manager Sean Dyche broke down. The winger aired his grievances on Instagram, saying it was “difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person”. Dyche responded by claiming Gray had effectively gone on strike, making clear he did not want to train as he believed he had secured a move away. Gray made 75 appearances for Everton, scoring 12 goals, after returning to England from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021. He said in a statement: “After two years with Everton, it’s time to say goodbye. I wish everyone at the club the very best and will be forever proud to have played for this great team. “To the fans, you were always incredible – thank you for your support. You made it a privilege to wear the shirt. “There has been a lot of speculation about my situation all summer. The truth is, I gave my all to this club on and off the pitch through good and bad. “I was ready to play as much football as possible this season but it felt like this was not going to happen. It’s time for my next chapter. I am match fit and excited to get playing.” Gray will join his new team-mates following international duty with Jamaica. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Samit Patel to leave Nottinghamshire at end of season after 22-year career Mark Wood says big money T20 offer is testing his ‘love’ of playing for England Football rumours: Joao Palhinha in the sights of Bayern Munich for January swoop

The offseason doesn't officially open for two weeks but NBA rumors are flying, including about Zion Williamson, Chris Paul and Dillon Brooks.NBA rumors: Pelicans part ways with Zion's favorite assistant coachAccording to Shams Charania, the Pelicans are parting ways with Teresa Weather...

Newcastle have agreed a deal with AC Milan for the transfer of central midfielder Sandro Tonali. The 23-year-old will undergo a medical before completing the move to St James' Park.

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Celtic fans defied a club appeal and waved Palestinian flags before Wednesday’s Champions League fixture. The Green Brigade, a supporter group which occupies the north curve of Celtic Park, traditionally organise a tifo - a choreographed display involving a large banner - for major games. But as the teams emerged from the tunnel for their Group E match against Atletico Madrid, they instead held up Palestinian flags. Celtic have already banned the group from away games after they displayed the flags at recent matches in the wake of the attacks in Israel and Gaza. It is expected the Scottish club will now receive a fine from Uefa. Read More Moment Gerard Pique falls into huge hole as he’s distracted by phone Bobby Charlton’s football was ‘poetry in motion’, says former teammate Ten Hag lays flowers in centre circle as Man United pay tribute to Bobby Charlton

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Wales manager Rob Page has told top-flight clubs to make a move for “Premier League player” Daniel James. The Wales winger’s club career remains uncertain following Leeds’ relegation to the Sky Bet Championship. James spent last season on loan with Fulham but has now returned to managerless Leeds and the second tier, where he shone at Swansea to earn a 2019 move to Manchester United. Page said: “I do think DJ is a Premier League player and he could easily play there again. “If I’m a Premier League manager and I find out he’s available, personally I’d take him. “I’m bound to say that because I’m his Welsh manager, but for me he always poses a threat. “He still has things to work on but with the pace he’s got it is a brave team that plays a high line against him.” James cost Leeds £25million in joining from Manchester United in August 2021. The 25-year-old struggled for game-time at Fulham, making only five Premier League starts among 23 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals. James has often reserved his best performances for a Wales shirt and started 34 consecutive competitive games before being benched for the World Cup defeat to Iran in November. “He has taken one for the team in recent months because I’ve asked him to play a different role,” Page said ahead of forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey. “He likes playing wide left and the way we play now suits us because he gives us the width on the left. “He’s that option in behind and when you’ve got a tool like that in your armoury it really is effective. “In the Premier League, and at international level, he poses a threat. It was a frustrating few months for him when I played him at centre-forward with Gareth (Bale). “Now we’ve changed and he is back out in his natural position.” Wales return to action at home to Armenia on Friday and against Turkey in Samsun three days later having taken four points from their opening two games in March. Page, who has taken his squad to Portugal to prepare for the Euro 2024 double-header, says he has felt the benefits of speaking to Warren Gatland, head coach of the Wales rugby team and former British and Irish Lions boss. I do think DJ is a Premier League player and he could easily play there again. If I'm a Premier League manager and I find out he's available, personally I'd take him Rob Page on Daniel James “I had a great chat with him over dinner and wanted to pick his brains,” Page said of his meeting with Gatland at the Football Association of Wales’ National Coaches Conference in Newport. “It’s not every day you get the chance to share dinner with a man of his stature. “We talked about how we deal with players, groups of men, and it was really interesting. “He spoke about how he deals with individuals. It was refreshing to learn it’s how I’ve dealt with individuals in the past. “We are from a similar era and share similar culture and values. When you are dealing with a player, you do it to their face.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A look at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City trophy haul after treble triumph How do Manchester City’s treble-winners compare to Manchester United in 1998-99? The key games that brought Manchester City a treble

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The Georgia Bulldogs are already in rarified territory