Mary Earps has always been comfortable taking charge, whether she’s guarding England’s net or speaking out on issues 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 helped her grow both on and off the pitch. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the WSL’s opening weekend on September 4 – when London City will meet her former club Manchester United – Earps 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, 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 who you are and who you want to be as a person." Earps has never shied away from bold moves. Before her spell at United, she spent a year with German powerhouse Wolfsburg, an experience that now gives her a deep empathy for teammates who are making similar transitions.
"There are players who are moving clubs for the first time," she said. "There are those moving countries, learning different languages. I know how hard that is, but even moving back to England and speaking English, it’s still a transition." The roster that London City have assembled 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 established internationals such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro are also part of the mix. While all of these players, Earps included, are accustomed to the spotlight, they are also newcomers to a brand‑new project – a situation that can be intimidating but also builds a unique camaraderie essential for success. 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 adjusting." She likened the atmosphere to a first day at school: "It’s great in a way because it’s like everyone’s first day at school.
You say ‘I’m nervous’, but everyone is nervous because everyone’s doing the same thing." At the same time, the squad is packed with experience. Many of the newcomers have already lifted trophies and boast impressive pedigrees, creating a shared bond that can help smooth the transition.
"I honestly can’t speak highly enough of the group I’ve met so far – they’ve been brilliant at welcoming me," Earps added. It remains to be seen whether Earps will claim the No 1 spot in goal. She will likely compete with last season’s starter Elene Lete, who recently extended her contract, as well as Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd, who are also in the goalkeeping pool.
Defensively, London City will need to improve. They conceded 35 goals in the previous WSL campaign – not the worst tally, but considerably more than the league’s elite.
For context, Manchester City and Arsenal together allowed just 33 goals, while Chelsea’s defence let in only 20. If the Lionesses aspire to challenge the traditional powerhouses, they must tighten their back line dramatically.
When asked how a former Golden Glove winner plans to forge that solidity with her new defenders, Earps emphasized the importance of understanding individual nuances. "It’s a lot of small details which make a big difference. Full‑backs and centre‑backs have very different roles.
You need to know each player’s preferred positioning, how they like to make recovery runs, whether they step into the box or stay on the line, and how they prefer to receive the ball – in front of them, at their feet, or elsewhere." She also highlighted the reciprocal nature of that learning process: "They have to get to know me, understand my style and where I like to be. It’s a lot of figuring out on the pitch." Earps said she often continues these conversations over lunch or between training reps, noting that constant dialogue helps the group align their tactics.
"I sometimes grab a conversation over lunch or in between reps and we’re bouncing ideas off each other all the time," she said. London City’s first real test will arrive on September 4, when they open the season against Manchester United at Hayes Lane, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Manchester United, Earps’ former club, have endured a turbulent summer themselves, losing several key players and appointing new head coach Eva Olid after Marc Skinner’s departure by mutual consent following five years in charge. Reflecting on her time at United, Earps said, "I was at Man United for five years.
I have incredible memories there and met some amazing people. I know the club has changed a lot.
There aren’t many familiar faces now, but they still have incredible players." She added, "It will be a really tough game, but I’m looking forward to it and I love a challenge. The support of Man United is always fantastic, home and away, so I know they’ll come to Bromley and try to make it a difficult atmosphere for us." Earps also reminisced about her FA Cup triumph under Marc Skinner, saying the memory still gives her goosebumps. "He helped the club reach three other finals, so I think that speaks for itself and I wish him all the best in his next chapter," she said. Now, Earps’ focus is on writing a new chapter for herself and for London City Lionesses.
Whether the headline‑grabbing summer signings translate into on‑field success remains to be seen, but the excitement surrounding the project is unlikely to fade quickly. Fans and players alike will be watching closely as the Lionesses aim to carve out a lasting legacy in the Women’s Super League.