Mary Earps has always been a leader on the pitch, whether she is guarding the net for England or speaking out about challenges facing women’s football. This summer she became the first player to sign for the London City Lionesses as they assembled a glittering roster of international talent. After two seasons in France with Paris Saint‑Germain – a stint she describes as "a very different environment" – the England goalkeeper is returning to the Women's Super League (WSL).
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the league’s kick‑off on September 4, when London City face her former club Manchester United, Earps reflected on her time abroad and the personal growth it sparked. "I really feel like I was able to go away and work on myself for a couple of years. There were things in my game that I’ve been able to kind of work on as well," she said. "Living away from home, learning a new language, immersing yourself in a different culture and a new city, it teaches you a lot about yourself.
It gives you space to reflect and figure out who you are and who you want to become as a person." Earps has never shied away from bold moves. Before joining Manchester United she spent a season with German powerhouse Wolfsburg, and that experience has given her a deep empathy for players who are making similar transitions.
"There are people who are maybe moving clubs for the first time," she noted. "There are people moving countries, speaking different languages. I know how hard that is, but even moving back to England and speaking English, it’s still a transition." The Lionesses’ new signings read like a who’s‑who of the modern women’s game. The headline name is Alexia Putellas, the Ballon d’Or winner who left Barcelona for Bromley, followed by her Barcelona teammate Mapi Leon and French international Kadidiatou Diani.
Already on the books are established stars such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro. The sheer depth of talent means that, despite their superstar status, the squad is still technically a group of newcomers – a situation that can be intimidating but also fosters a unique camaraderie. Earps described that feeling of collective novelty: "I feel very much part of the newness of it all, and it’s nice when other people are experiencing that for the first time as well.
Even the players who have been here a year or so are still getting used to it. When you’re a brand‑new entity it’s exciting because you get to be part of that history, and I truly believe London City will achieve incredible things for a long time. That’s a massive reason why I came here." She likened the atmosphere to a first day of school. "It’s great in a way because everyone’s nervous – we’re all doing the same thing.
But there’s a lot of experience in the room as well. Many of the players have won trophies and have an incredible pedigree, so we’re bonded by that shared history, whether we’ve played together before or faced each other on the pitch.
I can’t speak highly enough of the group – they’ve welcomed me brilliantly." Competition for the No.1 jersey will be fierce. Earps will likely battle last season’s starter Elene Lete, who renewed her contract this summer, while Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd also sit in the goalkeeping pool. The Lionesses will also need to tighten a defence that leaked 35 goals last season – a respectable total but still higher than the league’s elite, with Manchester City and Arsenal conceding just 33 between them and Chelsea only 20.
Reducing that tally will be essential if London City hopes to challenge the traditional ‘Big Three’. When asked how a former WSL Golden Glove winner plans to shore up the back line, Earps emphasized the importance of understanding each defender’s nuances. "It’s a lot of small details that make a big difference," she explained. "Full‑backs and centre‑backs have very different roles.
You have to learn their preferred positions, how they like to make recovery runs, where they like to receive the ball – in front of them, at their feet, or a couple of steps forward. And they need to understand my style, where I like to be, what type of goalkeeper I am.
It’s a constant process of discovery on the pitch." She added that the learning happens off the field as well. "I sometimes grab a conversation over lunch or between training reps and we bounce ideas off each other all the time." London City’s first test will be the opening WSL fixture on September 4 against Manchester United at Hayes Lane, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Earps’ former side have endured a turbulent summer, losing key players and parting ways with long‑time head coach Marc Skinner. Former Hearts manager Eva Olid has stepped in to take the reins. Reflecting on her five‑year spell at United, Earps said, "I have incredible memories there and met some amazing people.
The club has changed a lot – I don’t recognize many faces, but the talent remains. It will be a tough game, but I love a challenge.
The support at United is always fantastic, home and away, so I know they’ll make it a difficult atmosphere for us." She also paid tribute to Skinner, recalling the FA Cup triumph they shared. "I won an FA Cup with Marc and I will always cherish that memory. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. He also helped the club reach three other finals, so I wish him all the best in his next chapter." Now Earps’ focus is on her own new chapter and on helping London City write its own landmark story.
Whether the headline‑grabbing summer signings translate into on‑field success remains to be seen, but the excitement surrounding the squad suggests fans and players alike will remember this season for a long time to come.