Mary Earps has built her reputation on taking charge, whether she is protecting the England goal or speaking out about challenges in 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 a two‑year stint with Paris Saint‑Germain in France, Earps is returning to the Women's Super League. She describes the French experience as "a very different environment" that forced her out of her comfort zone and helped her grow both on and off the pitch. 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, she reflected on the personal development she achieved abroad.
"I really feel like I was able to go away and work on myself for a couple of years. There were aspects of my game I could finally focus on and improve," she said. "Living away from home, learning a new language, immersing myself in a different culture and city – it taught me a lot about who I am and who I want to become.
It gave me the space to think, to reflect and to define my own identity as a player and as a person." Earps has never shied away from bold moves. Before her time in England she spent a season with German powerhouse Wolfsburg, and that experience has given her a deep empathy for teammates who are making similar transitions. "Some players are moving clubs for the first time, others are moving countries and learning new languages. I know how challenging that can be, but even coming back to England and speaking English again can feel like a transition," she explained.
The Lionesses' recruitment this summer reads like a who’s‑who of women's football. The headline signing is Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who left Barcelona for Bromley, followed by fellow Spanish international Mapi Leon and French star Kadidiatou Diani. Already on the roster are established internationals such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro. The sheer depth of talent means that, despite their superstar status, every player is still navigating the novelty of a brand‑new team environment – a factor that can foster a unique camaraderie.
Earps described that feeling of collective freshness: "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 newcomers in a sense. When you are part of a brand‑new entity, it's exciting because you get to help write its history.
I truly believe London City will achieve incredible things for a long time, and that was a huge reason why I signed." She likened the situation to a first day of school: "Everyone says they're nervous, but everyone is nervous because we're all doing the same thing. The difference is that there’s a lot of experience in the room. Many of the players have won trophies and have incredible pedigrees, so we’re bonded by those shared experiences and by the fact that we may have faced each other before.
I can’t speak highly enough of the group; they have welcomed me brilliantly." Whether Earps will claim the No.1 jersey remains to be seen. She will be competing with last season's starter Elene Lete, who renewed her contract over the summer, as well as Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd for the remaining spots in the goalkeeping department.
Defensively, London City will be eager to tighten up. They conceded 35 goals last season – not the worst tally, but considerably more than the league leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, who together let in just 33, and far above Chelsea’s stingy 20. If the club hopes to challenge the traditional top three, the defensive record must improve dramatically.
When asked how a former Golden Glove winner plans to bring solidity to the back line, Earps emphasized the importance of understanding each defender’s individual traits. "Full‑backs and centre‑backs have very different roles.
You need to learn their preferred positioning, how they like to make recovery runs, whether they prefer the ball at their feet or in front of them, and how they react in the box. At the same time, they need to understand my style, where I like to be, and what type of goalkeeper I am. It’s a lot of small details that add up to a big difference," she explained.
She added that communication often happens off the pitch: "I’ll grab a conversation at lunch or between training reps, and we bounce ideas off each other all the time. Building that rapport is essential for a cohesive defensive unit." London City’s first real test will come on 4 September, when they host Manchester United at Hayes Lane, a match that will be televised live on Sky Sports. Earps’ former side have endured a turbulent summer themselves, losing key players and replacing head coach Marc Skinner with former Hearts manager Eva Olid after Skinner’s departure by mutual consent.
Reflecting on her five‑year spell at United, Earps said, "I have incredible memories and met amazing people there. The club has changed a lot – many familiar faces are gone – but the quality of the squad remains high.
It will be a tough game, but I love a challenge. United’s support is always fantastic, both at home and away, so I expect a difficult atmosphere at Bromley." She also paid tribute to former United manager Marc Skinner, recalling the FA Cup triumph they shared: "Winning the FA Cup with Marc gave me goosebumps just thinking about it. He also guided the club to three other finals, which says a lot about his impact.
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 season. The headline‑grabbing summer signings have set high expectations, but only time will reveal how the talent translates into results on the pitch. One thing is clear: the excitement surrounding the Lionesses’ fresh start will not fade quickly, and fans can look forward to a season full of intrigue, growth, and possibly historic achievements.