Leicester Women's Ruby Mace: Embracing Freedom After Leaving Man City

Ruby Mace Embraces New Freedom at Leicester City

New Leicester City signing Ruby Mace admits she finally has the chance to play with freedom after years of dealing with the pressure of being one of the country's highest-rated youngsters.

Journey to Leicester City

Mace moved to Manchester City from Arsenal as a teenager, which pushed the midfielder into national notoriety. However, her struggle for game time in the North West affected her footballing development. Reflecting on her experience, Mace told Sky Sports News, "Sometimes it can get to you. Some people think it can't, but it really can, and that's when you have to show your professionalism by showing what you can do."

Learning and Growth

“Going to Man City when I was 17, I learned so much. Now it's about showing it on the pitch, and this is the best place to do that.” Long tipped as a future England star, Mace played just 61 minutes in the Women’s Super League (WSL) last season. The previous year, she spent half the season on loan at Leicester, playing a crucial role in the club narrowly avoiding relegation.

Choosing Leicester

This summer, Mace turned down contract offers from Atletico Madrid and other WSL clubs to move back to the East Midlands. Getting back in the right place mentally was just as much of a motivation as gaining game time. “When I first came to Leicester, it felt like home, so it was a no-brainer to come back,” Mace shared. “The fact they wanted me to come back shows how much they had respect for me. I'm really happy to be here.”

Aiming for International Recognition

Mace has been on the sidelines while many of her England youth teammates received senior call-ups. With the 2024 UEFA European Women’s Championship on the horizon, Mace acknowledges that any chance of international football now rests on her shoulders.

“I really need to work hard, show what I can do in games, and be consistent. That's my main goal, to be as consistent as possible. Now it's a case of getting my head down, working hard, and showcasing what I can do,” she stated.

A Supportive Environment

During our conversation, freedom emerged as a significant theme, a quality that new head coach Amandine Miquel has already instilled in the team. Mace appreciates the supportive environment, saying, “I like that we have the freedom to show what we can do as individuals. That's what the manager shows us. We have freedom to go out and just be ourselves.”

Team Spirit and Ambitions

The spirit among the squad is palpable, with Mace noting, “The difference between being here is the work rate, and everyone has each other's back. There's no 'I' in team, and we show that. We have goals, and we aren't going to stop until we achieve them.”

Coach's Confidence

Miquel is optimistic about Mace's potential role in the team, stating, “Having that kind of player at a young age is great as she will get more minutes, hopefully. She didn't get the time to show herself in other teams, but now she's here and she'll be free. We hope she'll impact a lot of games.”

Looking Ahead

Ruby Mace feels she is in the right place both on and off the field. This significant change could not only provide a substantial boost for Leicester City but may also introduce another option for the England squad in what promises to be a big year ahead.