Mary Earps has built a reputation for taking charge, whether she is guarding England’s net or speaking out on matters affecting women’s football. 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 broadened her perspective. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the WSL’s opening fixture on 4 September, when London City will host her former club Manchester United, the England goalkeeper reflected on her time abroad: "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 added, "Living away from home, learning a new language, adapting to a different culture and a new city, taught me a lot about who I am. It gave me space to reflect and figure out what I 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, an experience that now gives her empathy for teammates making similar transitions. "There are players moving clubs for the first time, others moving countries and learning new languages. I know how hard that can be, and even coming back to England and speaking English again can feel like a transition," she said.
The Lionesses’ recruitment list reads like a roll‑call of recent stars. The headline signing is Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who left Barcelona for Bromley, followed by her Barcelona teammate Mapi León and French international Kadidiatou Diani.
Already on the roster are established internationals such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro. While the squad is packed with high‑profile names, everyone is still a newcomer to the club, and that shared sense of novelty can forge a strong bond. Earps explained, "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 the environment." She likened the atmosphere 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 all linked by that background." Earps praised the warm welcome she has received, saying, "I honestly can't speak highly enough of the group I’ve met so far; they have been brilliant at making me feel at home." It remains to be seen whether she will claim the No.1 jersey straight away. She will likely compete with last season’s starter Elene Lete—who renewed her contract over the summer—alongside Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd for the goalkeeper spots. Defensively, London City will aim to improve after conceding 35 goals last season, a figure that placed them just above the league’s elite, with Manchester City and Arsenal together allowing only 33 and Chelsea a mere 20. Reducing goals against will be essential if the Lionesses hope to challenge the traditional powerhouses.
When asked how a former WSL Golden Glove winner plans to bring stability to the back line, Earps stressed the importance of understanding each defender’s nuances. "Full‑backs and centre‑backs have very different responsibilities.
You have to learn their preferred positioning, how they like to make recovery runs, whether they want the ball in front of them or at their feet, and even the number of steps they take before playing it out," she said. She added that communication is a two‑way street: "They need to understand my style as a goalkeeper, where I like to position myself, and what I expect from them. It’s a lot of little details that make a big difference." Earps noted that these conversations often happen off the pitch as well: "I’ll grab a chat over lunch or between training reps, and we’re constantly bouncing ideas off each other." London City’s first real test will be the season‑opening clash against Manchester United at Hayes Lane, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The match will also be a personal milestone for Earps, who spent five years at United and helped the club win an FA Cup under former manager Marc Skinner. Speaking about her former side, she said, "I have incredible memories of my time at United and met some amazing people.
The club has changed a lot, but the quality of the players remains high. It will be a tough game, but I love a challenge and the support United receives is always massive, both at home and away." Earps reflected on her FA Cup triumph: "Thinking about that final gives me goosebumps.
Marc helped the club reach three other finals, and I wish him the best in his next chapter." Now, her focus is on writing a new chapter with London City Lionesses. The club’s ambitious summer signings have generated a buzz that could translate into on‑field success, but only time will tell how the chemistry develops.
Fans and players alike are eager to see whether the headline‑grabbing recruitment will deliver the promised results, and Earps is ready to play a pivotal role in that story. The Lionesses’ journey this season promises excitement, challenges, and the chance to create a lasting legacy for a club that is eager to stake its claim among England’s elite women’s teams.