Ruby Mace: Why Everton is the perfect place after Man City disappointments, Leicester revival and England hopes
Ruby Mace is excelling at Everton after reviving her love for football at Leicester; she also has England's 2027 World Cup squad in her sights; Everton face Spurs in the WSL when it returns on Sunday March 15, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 11.55am
Friday 20 February 2026 21:42, UK
"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 safe to say Ruby Mace is not just thriving at Everton, she is excelling. Her move to Goodison Park from Leicester in the summer was a club-record signing.
Polite and humble, that does not affect the 22-year-old's thinking - "I just wanted to go somewhere I felt wanted," she said - but the Toffees are certainly getting their money's worth.
It is at both Leicester, where she spent time on loan before making a permanent move, and Everton over the last few years where Mace has made a name for herself.
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But it was a tough spell at Manchester City - where she signed her first professional deal on her 18th birthday in 2021 - that taught her just what she wanted from a football club.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Mace said: "With Man City, they wanted me to stay in and around the first team, learning off the likes of Steph [Houghton], Alex Greenwood and that's something that I wanted to take in my career.
"I'd been at Arsenal the whole time (Mace came through their academy and made three first-team appearances). I knew nothing different and I needed to step out of my comfort zone a little bit.
"I always say I never have any regrets, but maybe it wasn't the right decision for me to progress forward in that playing style.
"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's when you go into training every single day, you're giving it your all but you're getting told there's nothing more you can do and you still don't get your chance.
"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 opportunity of Leicester came along, it was a no-brainer. I had to go and play, especially under a coach who wanted me to be there. To feel valued in a team is probably the biggest blessing you could ever have.
"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 football when I feel valued by a team, when the people around me want me there'.
"They gave me the opportunity and the platform to be able to play football and be happy. That was why it was such an easy decision for me to go back there and have that same opportunity.
"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 love playing for Everton because I feel like I'm a player that plays with aggression and the grit between my teeth.
"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 teams below the top four, it's a different style of football. It shows how aggressive you can be. It challenges you in different ways and I feel like it brings out the best in me, it brings out what I'm good at and I really like that."
Defender or midfielder?
Mace is adding versatility to her game too. She has mostly played as a holding midfielder in her short career, but with injuries hitting Everton's defence this season, she has been moved into a centre-back role.
It is hard to believe she has barely played there before, especially looking at her stats. She is top in the WSL for tackles and clearances, and among the top 10 for interceptions and headed clearances, so could we be seeing Mace morph 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 a lot because she's been there from day one and I haven't. She really helps me in the games with the little details of what a defender needs.
"The midfield role and the centre-back role is not too different, but also completely different in a way.
"The six, you have to be very switched on, always checking your shoulders, being available all the time. In the defensive role, you can't make a mistake. I made one mistake against Aston Villa and they scored straight away, so you get punished if you make mistakes against good teams.
"It's helped me playing in the defensive role because now I know what I need from a midfielder.
"I would love to go back into the midfield when the time's right and when my team need me there and also when we have found a solution [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 in a position that's not mine has been difficult, but with this team around me, it's also been the easiest thing."
World Cup squad '100 per cent' in Mace's sights
Not only does it give Everton more options, but England too. The Lionesses are stacked in midfield - Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Grace Clinton playing in similar roles - but defence could do with reinforcements. There is a precedent too with captain Leah Williamson having previously shifted between the two.
Mace missed out on the most recent England camp despite her WSL-topping numbers - having already earned her first cap in December 2024 - but is a regular for the U23s.
When asked 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 show that you're not too far away, but you're not there yet. All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing and playing to the best of my ability.
"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 be quick too if Euro 2025 is anything to go by. Michelle Agyemang only made her England debut in April before being included in the tournament squad, scoring crucial goals as the Lionesses defended their European title.
When asked if this is something 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 prepare myself without knowing if I'm going to be there or not and make sure I'm the best version of myself."
That is certainly happening for Mace at Everton this season. She is putting herself in a strong position to be a success for the Toffees and England for years to come.
