England’s Lauren Hemp feels she is yet to hit top gear at Euro 2022

Lauren Hemp feels she is yet to hit top gear at Euro 2022 as England prepare for Wednesday’s quarter-final against Spain.

The 21-year-old Manchester City winger, named PFA young player of the year in four of the last five seasons, went into this summer’s tournament being widely tipped to light it up.

She started all three of England’s group games as the Lionesses beat Austria 1-0 at Old Trafford, Norway 8-0 at the Amex Stadium and Northern Ireland 5-0 at St Mary’s, notching one goal and one assist along the way.

Ahead of the team returning to Brighton for Wednesday’s last-eight clash, Hemp was asked if fans had seen the best of her at the Euros so far, and she said: “I think it takes time.

“It’s my first major tournament with England as well (Hemp was also with Great Britain at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics), and in front of so many fans, it’s nerve-wracking, I’m not going to lie. I think it’s just being consistent as well – it’s something that I’m striving towards.

“Personally I don’t think you’ve seen the best (of me) yet, but there’s still time.

“It’s going to take a while and I still need to remember I’m still so young, I’m still learning every single day, and I’m taking it all in my stride really. I’ve got a great group of players around me who are supporting me.”

Hemp says her “overriding feeling is excitement” with regard to the meeting with Spain, who are ranked a place above England at seventh in the world.

They lost star names to injury in Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso just prior to the tournament before going on to finish second in Group B, having beaten Finland 4-1, lost 2-0 to Germany and then won 1-0 against Denmark.

Hemp said: “They’re a great side, possession-based football, and we’re ready for that