Ruby Mace: Why Everton is the perfect place after Man City…

Ruby Mace: Why Everton is the perfect place after Man City…

“When I came to Everton, I felt so welcomed, so valued and to this day, it’s definitely the best decision I ever made in my career.”

It is protected to say Ruby Mace is not just thriving at Everton, she is excelling. Her transfer to Goodison Park from Leicester in the summer season was a club-record signing.

Polite and humble, that doesn’t have an effect on the 22-year-old’s considering – “I just wanted to go somewhere I felt wanted,” she said – however the Toffees are definitely getting their cash’s value.

It is at each Leicester, the place she hung out on mortgage before making a everlasting transfer, and Everton over the last few years the place Mace has made a reputation for herself.

But it was a troublesome spell at Manchester City – the place she signed her first skilled deal on her 18th birthday in 2021 – that taught her just what she needed from a soccer club.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Mace said: “With Man City, they needed me to remain in and round the first team, studying off the likes of Steph [Houghton], Alex Greenwood and that’s one thing that I needed to soak up my profession.

“I’d been at Arsenal the entire time (Mace got here by their academy and made three first-team appearances). I knew nothing different and I wanted to step out of my consolation zone slightly bit.

“I always say I never have any regrets, however possibly it wasn’t the proper choice for me to progress ahead in that playing type.

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Mace made 13 appearances for Man City, however called her time there some of the ‘darkest of her profession’

“I’m a young player and you can’t just expect to walk into a Man City side and start every week. I knew that that wasn’t going to happen.

“But it is if you go into training every single day, you are giving it your all however you are getting told there’s nothing more you are able to do and also you still do not get your likelihood.

“It feels a little bit unfair and I started to question myself. That’s when my family stepped in and said ‘I don’t know why you feel like this. You’re a good player and you need to go and chase your dreams’.

“When the alternative of Leicester got here alongside, it was a no brainer. I needed to go and play, particularly under a coach who needed me to be there. To really feel valued in a team is in all probability the greatest blessing you can ever have.

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Mace credit Leicester with serving to her rediscover her love of soccer

“When I went there on loan, I felt so loved. I felt like I was going into a family where they wanted me there, they wanted me to play, they wanted to see my name on the teamsheet.

“I realised, ‘wow, I play my best soccer once I really feel valued by a team, when the people round me need me there’.

“They gave me the alternative and the platform to have the ability to play soccer and be comfortable. That was why it was such a straightforward choice for me to return there and have that same alternative.

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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Everton and West Ham

“When I look back now, not playing in Manchester City actually caused some of the darkest times in my career. If I was to have any advice to myself now, I would say ‘go and play and be happy’.

“Now, I like playing for Everton because I really feel like I’m a participant that performs with aggression and the grit between my enamel.

“I love to get stuck in and at Leicester and especially now at Everton, they’re the type of teams that need that little bit of grit and a little bit of bite. I feel like my style of play really suits Everton.

“When you play for groups below the top 4, it is a different type of soccer. It reveals how aggressive you might be. It challenges you in different methods and I really feel prefer it brings out the best in me, it brings out what I’m good at and I actually like that.”

Ruby Mace on Everton’s latest good kind

Everton have received their last three WSL games, now sitting eighth in the desk.

“We have such a very good team with so many proficient gamers. At the start of the season, we had 9 new signings, so it will take slightly little bit of time to seek out your toes.

“Now we’re really using each other to the best of our ability and using everyone’s qualities in different ways. This team is so together on and off the pitch. It’s making sure that we’re all in it together and we’re all on the same page.”

Defender or midfielder?

Mace is including versatility to her game too. She has principally performed as a holding midfielder in her quick profession, however with accidents hitting Everton’s defence this season, she has been moved right into a centre-back position.

It is laborious to imagine she has barely performed there before, particularly her stats. She is top in the WSL for tackles and clearances, and among the top 10 for interceptions and headed clearances, so may we be seeing Mace morph right into a world-class defender?

“I’ve had to learn a lot,” she said. “At the start of the season, we needed someone to play there and I feel grateful that I was the one who was able to do that. That’s something that I really appreciated.

“Martina [Fernandez] has helped me rather a lot because she’s been there from day one and I have never. She actually helps me in the games with the little particulars of what a defender wants.

“The midfield role and the centre-back role is not too different, but also completely different in a way.

“The six, you must be very switched on, always checking your shoulders, being out there all the time. In the defensive position, you may’t make a mistake. I made one mistake against Aston Villa they usually scored immediately, so that you get punished should you make errors against good groups.

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Ebony Salmon pounced on a poor defensive go from Everton and produced a scientific end

“It’s helped me playing in the defensive role because now I know what I need from a midfielder.

“I’d love to return into the midfield when the time’s proper and when my team want me there and also when we have now discovered an answer [in defence].

“I have to be a team player and if the manager can get the best out of me in the defensive position for now, that’s what I have to do. I have to give my all for the team every single week.

“Being ready that’s not mine has been tough, however with this team round me, it is also been the best factor.”

World Cup squad ‘100 per cent’ in Mace’s sights

Not only does it give Everton more choices, however England too. The Lionesses are stacked in midfield – Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Grace Clinton playing in related roles – however defence may do with reinforcements. There is a precedent too with captain Leah Williamson having beforehand shifted between the two.

Mace missed out on the most latest England camp despite her WSL-topping numbers – having already earned her first cap in December 2024 – however is an everyday for the U23s.

When requested if she had spoken to England boss Sarina Wiegman on another call-up, Mace added: “To be honest, I haven’t had any conversations with Sarina as of yet.

“Going to the U23s is a step to indicate that you are not too distant, however you are not there yet. All I can do is hold doing what I’m doing and playing to the best of my ability.

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Mace made her England debut in December 2024, however has not earned another senior cap since

“Right now, my focus is on Everton and doing the best I can for them and if it comes, it comes. I know how hard it is to be there and as quick as you get it, that’s as quick as it can be taken away from you. It’s something that I just have to keep striving for and working for.”

“One hundred per cent”, is her reply when quizzed if a spot in the 2027 World Cup squad is in her sights. “It’s going to take a lot of work to get there, but it’s definitely one of my goals.”

It could possibly be fast too if Euro 2025 is something to go by. Michelle Agyemang only made her England debut in April before being included in the tournament squad, scoring essential targets as the Lionesses defended their European title.

When requested if this is one thing that can inspire others, Mace replied: “For sure. Injuries come around and no one’s going to be young forever so there’s going to be changes along the way.

“It’s about how I can put together myself without understanding if I’m going to be there or not and ensure I’m the best version of myself.”

That is definitely occurring for Mace at Everton this season. She is placing herself in a strong place to be successful for the Toffees and England for years to come back.

Everton face Spurs in the WSL when it returns on Sunday March 15, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 11.55am.

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