Mary Earps has always been a figure who leads from the front, whether she is guarding England's goalposts or speaking out on matters affecting women's football. This summer she once again took the initiative, becoming the first player to sign for London City Lionesses as they assembled a squad brimming with international talent. After two seasons in France with Paris Saint‑Germain, Earls returned to the Women's Super League, describing the move back as stepping into "a very different environment". In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the WSL's opening fixture on 4 September, when London City will face her former club Manchester United, she reflected on the personal growth she experienced 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 that I could finally focus on and improve," she said. "Living away from home, learning a new language, immersing yourself in a different culture and city – it forces you to look inward. It gives you space to understand who you are and who you want to become, both as a player and as a person." Earps has never shied away from bold moves.
Before her stint in France, she spent a season with German powerhouse Wolfsburg, then moved to Manchester United. Those experiences have given her a deep empathy for teammates who are also navigating big transitions. "There are players who are moving clubs for the first time, and there are those crossing borders and learning new languages. I know how challenging that can be.
Even coming back to England and speaking English can feel like a transition when you’ve been abroad for a while," she explained. The Lionesses’ recruitment drive has produced a roster that could easily be described as eye‑watering.
The headline signing is Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who left her lifelong club Barcelona for Bromley. She is joined by fellow Spanish international Mapi León and French star Kadidiatou Diani.
Already established players such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro add further depth and experience. While the squad is packed with high‑profile names, every newcomer still faces the inevitable nerves that accompany a fresh start.
Earps believes that this shared sense of novelty can forge a strong bond within the team. "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, but even the players that have been here before, they've maybe only been here a year or so.
When you are a brand‑new entity, it’s exciting because you get to be part of that history, and I truly believe London City will achieve great things for many years to come. That was a massive reason why I came here," she said. She likened the atmosphere to a first day of school: "It’s great in a way because everyone’s nervous, but we’re all in the same boat. 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 success." It remains to be seen whether Earps will immediately claim the No.1 goalkeeper spot.
She will likely compete with last season’s starter Elene Lete, who renewed her contract over the summer, as well as younger options Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd. London City also need to tighten their defence. They conceded 35 goals last season – not the worst tally, but considerably higher than the league’s elite.
Manchester City and Arsenal together let in just 33, while Chelsea’s defence was the stingiest with only 20 goals conceded. For the Lionesses to challenge the traditional top three, a dramatic reduction in goals allowed will be essential.
When asked how she plans to help solidify the back line, Earps stressed the importance of understanding each defender’s nuances. "It’s about getting to know them because every individual is so different. Small details make a big difference.
Full‑backs and centre‑backs have distinct roles, and each player has personal preferences – how they like to make recovery runs, where they position themselves in the box, whether they prefer the ball at their feet or to receive it on the chest. Likewise, they need to understand my style, where I like to be positioned and how I communicate from the back. It’s a lot of learning on the pitch," she explained. She added that these insights often emerge in informal settings: "I sometimes grab a conversation over lunch or between training reps, and we bounce ideas off each other all the time." The Lionesses’ first real test will come on 4 September when they host Manchester United at Hayes Lane, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Earps reflected on her former club’s recent upheaval, noting the departure of several key players and the appointment of former Hearts manager Eva Olid, who replaced Marc Skinner after his five‑year tenure. "I was at Man United for five years. I have incredible memories there and met some amazing people. The club has changed a lot – there aren’t as many familiar faces now – but they still have fantastic talent.
It will be a tough game, but I love a challenge. The support at United is always massive, home and away, so I know they’ll create a difficult atmosphere for us," she said. Earps also recalled the emotional moments from her time at United, including an FA Cup triumph under Skinner’s leadership. "Winning that cup gave me goosebumps just thinking about it.
He also guided the club to three other finals, which speaks for itself. I wish him all the best in his next chapter," she added. Now, Earps’ focus is on writing a new chapter for herself and for London City Lionesses.
The club’s summer of headline signings has generated enormous excitement, and while it remains to be seen how that translates onto the pitch, fans and players alike are unlikely to forget this transformative period anytime soon.