Manchester City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is set to leave the club and join Barcelona at the end of the season as she looks to return to the England set-up. This move comes after falling out of favor at City due to the emergence of Khiara Keating, with whom she has been competing for playing time. Despite a recent health scare that saw Roebuck suffer a stroke, she has recovered and is now comfortable with her career trajectory as she looks to make a fresh start with Barcelona.
Barcelona had been monitoring Roebuck’s recovery and interest in joining the club, eventually resulting in the goalkeeper signing a pre-contract with the Spanish giants. Roebuck is expected to compete with Barcelona’s current No. 1 goalkeeper, Cata Coll, and reserve goalkeeper Gemma Font when she arrives. This move comes as a promising opportunity for Roebuck to secure consistent playing time and potentially resurrect her career after a challenging season with Manchester City.
Roebuck’s lack of minutes at City this season, where she has not featured at all under manager Gareth Taylor, has impacted her chances of returning to the England set-up. Despite being part of the England squad that reached the Women’s World Cup final last summer, Roebuck has since fallen out of favor due to her limited playing time. England boss Sarina Wiegman has turned to other keepers like Mary Earps, Khiara Keating, and Hannah Hampton, all of whom have been in better form at their respective clubs.
Roebuck remains determined to work her way back into the England squad and has emphasized her desire to be part of the team that aims to qualify for the 2025 European Championship. Returning to the national team setup is a key goal for Roebuck, who values the team environment and the impact they have on women’s football. With aspirations to help grow the game and change perceptions, Roebuck sees her move to Barcelona as a step in the right direction to achieve her goals and make a positive impact in the sport.
Despite the challenges she has faced this season, Roebuck’s move to Barcelona signifies a new chapter in her career, where she hopes to establish herself as a key player and secure consistent playing time. As she prepares to make the switch to the Spanish giants, Roebuck is focused on regaining her form and earning a recall to the England national team. With determination and a positive outlook, Roebuck looks to make the most of this opportunity and continue her journey in women’s football with renewed ambition and enthusiasm. Her move to Barcelona represents a fresh start and a chance to showcase her talents on a new stage while pursuing her dreams of representing England on the international stage once again.
