Mary Earps has built her reputation on taking charge, whether she’s guarding England’s net or speaking out on matters affecting the women's game. This summer she was the first player to sign for the London City Lionesses as they assembled a squad brimming with international talent. After two seasons in France with Paris Saint‑Germain, Earps is returning to the Women’s Super League, describing the French stint as "a very different environment" that pushed her out of her comfort zone.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the WSL’s opening weekend on 4 September – when London City will face Earps’ former club Manchester United – the England goalkeeper explained how the move has helped her grow both on and off the pitch. "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. She added, "As a person, living away from home, immersing yourself in a new language, a new culture, a new city, a new country, it teaches you a lot about yourself. It gives you space to reflect and figure out more about who you are and who you want to be as a person." Earps has never shied away from big challenges.
Before joining Manchester United she spent a season with German powerhouse Wolfsburg, an experience that now gives her empathy for teammates making similar transitions. "There are players moving clubs for the first time, players moving countries and having to learn new languages. I know how hard that is, but even moving back to England and speaking English, it’s still a transition," she noted.
The Lionesses’ new roster reads like a who’s‑who of the modern women’s game. The headline signing is Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who left Barcelona for Bromley, followed by her Barcelona teammate Mapi Leon and French international Kadidiatou Diani. Already in the squad are established stars such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro, creating a depth of talent that few clubs can match. While the group is accustomed to the spotlight, they are also newcomers to a brand‑new project – a situation that can feel daunting but also fosters a unique camaraderie.
Earps described the atmosphere: "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 learning the ropes." She likened the start of the season to a first day at school: "Everyone is nervous because everyone is 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 incredible pedigrees, so we’re bonded by that shared history." Earps admitted she has not yet been guaranteed the No 1 shirt.
She will compete with last season’s starter Elene Lete – who recently renewed her contract – as well as Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd for the goalkeeper spots. Defensively, London City will need to tighten up. They conceded 35 goals last season, a figure that sits just above the combined total of the league’s traditional powerhouses Manchester City and Arsenal, who together let in 33.
Chelsea, by contrast, kept a clean sheet record of just 20 goals against. To challenge the established “Big Three,” the Lionesses must dramatically improve their defensive record. When asked how a former Golden Glove winner plans to build that solidity, Earps emphasized the importance of understanding each defender’s nuances.
"Full‑backs and centre‑backs are very different positions. You have to learn their preferred starting positions, how they like to make recovery runs, where they want to be in the box and how they prefer to receive the ball – do they want it in front of them, at their feet, or do they take a couple of steps forward?" She added that the relationship works both ways. "They also need to understand my style, where I like to be and what type of goalkeeper I am.
It’s a lot of little details that make a big difference on the pitch." Earps said she often continues these tactical conversations over lunch or during training breaks, "bouncing ideas off each other all the time." London City’s first real test will be the September 4 clash against Manchester United at Hayes Lane, televised live on Sky Sports. United have endured a turbulent summer themselves, losing key players and seeing head coach Eva Olid replace Marc Skinner after his five‑year tenure ended by mutual consent. Reflecting on her time at United, Earps said, "I was at Man Utd for five years.
I have incredible memories there and met some amazing people. The club has changed a lot, but they still have fantastic players." She acknowledged the difficulty of the opening fixture: "It will be a really tough game, but I love a challenge.
The support of Man Utd is always fantastic, home and away, so I know they’ll make it a difficult atmosphere for us." Earps also paid tribute to former United manager Marc 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 guided the club to three other finals, so I wish him all the best in his next chapter," she said. Now, Earps’ focus is on writing a new chapter with London City and helping the club make its mark on the league.
Whether the headline‑grabbing summer signings translate into on‑field success remains to be seen, but the excitement surrounding the project promises fans and players alike a season they won’t soon forget.