“I’m very excited to start this new chapter,” a smiling Mary Earps explained as she sat on the sidelines of Paris Saint-Germain’s elite training facility.
The 31-year-old is starting a new life in the French capital after spending five seasons at Manchester United, having set an example for thousands of girls with his good performances on the pitch, determination and confidence to shout. inequality.
Earps is widely considered one of the best in the business for good reason. She was twice named FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, played a key role in England’s historic European Championship success in 2022 and was again a key figure when the Lionesses reached the final of the Women’s World Cup 12 months later.
The quality of Earps’ displays saw her named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2023 and England’s Women’s Player of the Year – an indication of how much her stock has risen since starting her career at Doncaster Rovers as a teenager back in 2011.
In May, Earps lifted her first piece of silverware with United, winning the FA Women’s Cup following a 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, in what was to be her final appearance for the club.
The decision to leave United after “an amazing five years” was not Earps’ own, but the opportunity to face a new challenge and get out of his “comfort zone” by joining PSG is what made him move to PSG. new pastures.
“I think for me, it was a tough decision,” Earps said only 90 minmeditation in a stressful time. “It was something that I went back and forward for a long time.
“It’s not easy to leave a place where you’ve lived for a long time, and you’ve had amazing memories with amazing people. I felt that this move to PSG would take me out of my comfort zone. It would add something. For me as a player and as a person I feel that the team is one of the best in Europe without a doubt and I hope that I can come in and help , so the quality will be strong enough to compete for medals and titles.
“I’ve had an amazing five years, but I’m excited about this new challenge. The facilities here are incredible, as you’ve seen, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Earps made his PSG debut against rivals Le Havre earlier this week, in last season’s Champions League semi-final win 4-0, and will now head to Australia as the club take part in the Perth International Cup.
He hopes the experience will help him grow as a person, settling into a new place while coming to terms with the reality of moving away from home.
“On tour, I want to improve as a player and as a person,” Earps said. “I really want to try to take another step. I feel like I have a lot in my closet and I want to really push myself outside of my joy.
“Firstly, I want to settle in the team and help them where I can. I want to add some experience, play good football and have fun.
“It’s not easy to leave everything you’ve known, your family, friends and roots. I went home last weekend and it was only a 45 minute flight, it helps a lot as it’s not easy to leave home.
“I think this is difficult especially if you are an experienced player, it is different when you are young. It was not like going to Wolfsburg, there is a lot of consideration. I felt that this time, the move is going forward. to bring the best to me and help increase my strength and PSG was the best place to do that.”
Walking around the campus, it’s clear that Earps is quickly adapting to his new environment, joking with colleagues and staff by trying to respond in French – something he feels is important in terms of integration.
“I’m working on my French and I’ll start lessons when I get back from Australia, but I’m trying,” she giggled. “All I can do is make an effort, but at the moment I need five working days to get an answer.
“When I was in Germany, I worked hard to learn the language. I think it’s very important to make an effort in your country. I’ve always liked languages, and I can understand a little Spanish at school.
“I’m impressed with the city itself. The weather and architecture is great and there’s a lot to see and do. I’m not based in the middle of nowhere or far away which helps.”
Listen to 90 minute YouTube channel to watch our interview with Mary Earps in full.
With Euro 2025 just around the corner, it’s an incredibly exciting time for the Earps. The Lionesses are fighting for a place in Switzerland, where they will be considered as one of the favorites to win the tournament despite the fact that the quality of the competitions is improving every year.
The challenge of facing the best is that Earps continues to be happy, making no secret of his desires for more success.
“I feel ready to win more trophies,” he explained. “The competition is getting tougher every year. I think you can see that around the world, especially in the Olympics. I don’t think people go to the games as favourites.
“It makes those tournaments more exciting and hopefully better to watch. It’s definitely better to be a part of it because as a player, you want to be your best and you want to play against the best, and beat the best.
“We’re going to be on our A game. We’re going to have to prepare well, as individuals and as a team. I’m looking forward to it.”
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