Mary Earps has never shied away from a significant challenge, whether commanding the England defence or speaking out on matters affecting women's football. This summer, she became the first through the door as London City Lionesses assembled a roster packed with international talent.
The goalkeeper is returning to English football following a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain, which she characterises as operating in a markedly different setting. During her time in France, Earps made 57 appearances in all competitions for PSG.
In an exclusive conversation with Sky Sports before the WSL's resumption on 4 September, when London City face her former employers Manchester United, Earps reflected on her development 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 work on as well.
She continued:
As a person, living away from home, immersing yourself in a new language, in a new culture, a new city, a new country, it teaches you a lot of things 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 a track record of making bold moves. She previously spent a year with German powerhouse Wolfsburg before joining Manchester United, and that background allows her to understand the adjustment faced by incoming players at London City.
There's people who are maybe moving clubs for the first time. There's people moving countries, speaking different languages. I know how hard that is, but even moving back to England and speaking English, it's still a transition.
The calibre of talent now assembled at the club is remarkable. The headline signing is Alexia Putellas, the Ballon d'Or winner who departed her boyhood club Barcelona to join London City. Her Barcelona teammate Mapi Leon has made the same switch, alongside Kadidiatou Diani. These arrivals complement existing squad members including Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro.
Although these players, including Earps herself, are accustomed to playing at the highest level, they remain newcomers to the club—a daunting prospect for anyone. Yet this shared experience of adjustment creates a sense of unity essential for team success.
Earps elaborated on the dynamic:
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.
But that's what happens when you're a brand new entity and it's exciting because you get to be a part of that history, and I do believe that London City will go on to do incredible things for a long time. That's a massive reason why I came here.
It's great in a way because it's like everyone's first day at school. You say 'oh, I'm so nervous', but everyone is nervous because everyone's doing the same thing.
But there's a lot of experience in the room as well. A lot of the players have won trophies, have incredible pedigree, so we're all bonded by that experience and maybe bumping into each other or playing against each other in some way.
I honestly can't speak highly enough of the group that I've experienced so far and they've been brilliant at welcoming me.
Earps signed a two-year deal with London City and joined on 1 July 2026 after her PSG contract concluded. Her position as the club's number one goalkeeper remains undecided. She will compete for the starting role alongside Elene Lete, who retained her place from last season by signing a fresh contract, with Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd also part of the goalkeeping contingent.
Defensive solidity represents a priority for London City. The club conceded 35 WSL goals in the previous campaign—not the poorest record, but Manchester City and Arsenal combined to concede just 33 between them, while Chelsea permitted only 20. If London City harbour ambitions of challenging the established top three, that figure requires substantial improvement.
How does the former WSL Golden Glove recipient approach establishing that defensive foundation with her new back line?
It's getting to know them because every individual is so different. It's a lot of small details which make a big difference.
Full-back and centre-back are two very different positions. Then you've got everyone's individual qualities and that is probably the hardest part - getting to know things like their starting positions, how they want to do the recovery runs, what position they going to take up in the box or how they like to receive the ball - do they like it in front of them, at them? Are they going to take two steps forward?
And equally, they've got to get to know me, understand my position and where I like to be, what type of goalkeeper I am, so it's a lot of working it out on the pitch.
I sometimes grab a conversation over lunch or in between reps and we're bouncing ideas off each other all the time.
The Manchester United Challenge
London City's opening test arrives on 4 September when they host Manchester United at Hayes Lane in a match broadcast live on Sky Sports. Earps' former club has endured a turbulent off-season, losing key personnel and changing management. Eva Olid, previously in charge at Hearts, has replaced Marc Skinner, who departed by mutual agreement following five years in the role.
I was at Man Utd for five years. I have incredible memories there and met some incredible people. I know the club has changed a lot. There's not so many of the faces there that I know, but equally, they still have incredible players.
It will be a really tough game, but I'm looking forward to it and I love a challenge. The support of Man Utd is always fantastic, home and away, so I know they'll come to Bromley and try and make it a difficult atmosphere for us.
Earps expressed gratitude for her time at Old Trafford, particularly her achievements under Skinner's stewardship.
I don't know the ins and outs of everything, but I won an FA Cup with Marc and I will always really cherish that memory. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it, to be honest.
He also helped the club get to three other finals, so I think that speaks for itself and I wish him all the best in his next chapter.
A New Chapter Unfolds
Earps now concentrates on her own fresh beginning and another defining chapter in London City's history. The club's summer recruitment drive also targeted Mapi León and Alexia Putellas, with both signings ultimately completed. How this eye-catching transfer window translates on the pitch remains to be determined, but it is an undertaking that will captivate supporters and players alike for seasons to come.
