Manchester City have already made a bold statement this season, and captain Alex Greenwood was the one to articulate it during pre‑season. "A true champion is someone who goes and wins again.
A winner might be a one‑off. But a champion does it over and over," she said, underscoring the distinction she draws between fleeting success and sustained greatness.
Starting the campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as concrete proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a simple winner from a bona fide champion. To become a champion, she explains, is a continual process of growth that demands the team consistently back up each achievement with another. After the first two rounds of matches, City sit alone at the top of the table with a perfect points haul, a situation that has not been seen in the Women's Super League since 2015.
The defending champions have seized the initiative, treating the opening phase of the race like seasoned professionals, while their Manchester rivals from the red half of the city have already been left in the dust. Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends together to form a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: "We always find a way." In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the new season would be framed differently.
"Because we’re title holders, I could have been complacent, but that’s not the case," she said. "I needed a mental switch‑off," Greenwood added. "This summer I had complete freedom – no schedule, no obligations – and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it." Her summer hiatus brought several personal milestones, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack.
She admitted she almost cancelled their proposal plans on the day of the event, not knowing what was about to happen. "If I’m being honest, I tried to cancel the plans," she laughed. "I wasn’t in the mood to go out.
But Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant. He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – the weight of her own high standards and the expectations of the squad never truly switch off, resembling an endless homework assignment.
"I’m not the type to turn everything off; I’m on most of the time. I reflect a lot.
I needed this break because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch. Fortunately, we have an open dressing‑room environment where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions." Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories. City dominated the league, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first title in a decade.
Their football was freer, more inventive – guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by it. Reinvention occurred across the entire pitch, from player to player and match to match. Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns. Even on days when the performance seemed ordinary, the team almost always delivered the result.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted, "We get asked a lot about pressure, and certain results created pressure moments last season. We don’t enjoy losing, but in reality we were in control. That helps with preparation and everything else.
We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s what we do – we always find a way." City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in previous title chases, despite coming close.
They did not need a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded big outcomes. Jeglertz describes the approach as "never being satisfied," an insatiable drive to improve every detail.
"He’s very open to challenge," Greenwood added. "He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other.
It’s such a competitive league. Teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love it. We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels us to stay that way.
But we also have huge respect for the level of opposition we face." Manchester City ride a wave of momentum. They have devised multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are gone. The new challenge is to maintain those standards across every competition while also competing in Europe.
"I live for European nights," Greenwood said, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League from her living room. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season. How will City handle the increased demands? Can they adapt to a relentless schedule of three games a week?
Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on every front? "We weren’t there last year, and we have to use that feeling to our advantage," Greenwood insisted. "We cannot waste this opportunity." After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, the club now possesses everything needed to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspiring manager with lofty ambitions, and a steady influx of talent ready for top‑flight football.
And of course there’s Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already off to a flying start. In a Women's Super League season where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being one‑hit wonders; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners.
Their aim is to be recognised as true champions, a status they intend to defend with every match they play.