Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a message that was echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. She reminded everyone that "a true champion is someone who goes back and wins again. A winner might be a one‑off, but a champion does it repeatedly." This distinction between a fleeting victory and sustained greatness underpins the tone of City’s new campaign. Starting the season with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as a practical illustration of Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a simple winner from a genuine champion.
Achieving champion status, she argues, is a continuous process of improvement that can only be secured by consistently building on past successes. After the opening two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a situation that has not been seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The defending champions are already positioning themselves as the team to beat, seizing the initiative in the early stages of the race with the poise of seasoned professionals. In doing so, they have left the other Manchester side, United, trailing in their wake.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends to create a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she intends to approach the season with a fresh mindset.
"Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have gone in with a sense of entitlement," she said, "but that’s not how I’m thinking about it." Instead, she needed a mental reset. "This summer I had total freedom – no schedule, no obligations – and that gave me a chance to recharge. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and it feels amazing." The summer break brought more than just rest for Greenwood.
She got engaged to her long‑term partner, Jack, after a rather dramatic evening that almost saw her cancel the proposal plans. "Honestly, I tried to call off the night," she laughed, "I wasn’t in the mood to go out.
Jack had already put down a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept everything under wraps, and it turned out to be perfect." She describes the period as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – the pressure of her own high standards and the expectations of the squad never truly switch off, much like an endless homework assignment. "I’m not the type of person who can completely switch off," Greenwood admitted. "I’m thinking about the team most of the time.
I reflect a lot, and I needed that break because a captain’s responsibilities extend far beyond the pitch. Luckily, our dressing‑room culture is open and supportive, so I’m not the only one making big decisions." Reflecting on last season evokes pleasant memories. City dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first title in a decade. Their style of play was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it.
Reinvention occurred across the squad, with each player adapting and evolving game by game. Opponents often entered matches unsure of what to expect, never quite able to predict City’s ever‑shifting patterns.
Even on nights when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted, "We get asked about pressure a lot, especially after some of the tight results last season. We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control of our destiny. That mindset helped us prepare for anything.
We faced setbacks, but we always had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way." City now possess a certain edge – a brand of resilience that seemed missing in previous title runs.
The changes implemented by Jeglertz were subtle but impactful, and the manager’s relentless pursuit of perfection has become a hallmark of the club. "He’s always open to challenges," Greenwood added.
"He invites us to challenge him and each other. The league is incredibly competitive; teams have strengthened massively over the summer, and I love that. We constantly remind each other that we’re winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top.
We also have huge respect for the quality of our opposition." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. The squad has devised multiple solutions for the majority of problems they encounter. The days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single poor result are now behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining those high standards across all competitions, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments.
"I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room. "It’s tough watching those games and not being on the pitch." These concerns extend well beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City handle the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week without a dip in performance?
Does the squad have enough depth 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 chasing the elusive formula for WSL supremacy, City now have the ingredients for sustained success: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, and a wave of talent ready for top‑flight football.
And, of course, there’s Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season brightly. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s determination appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for the label of "winners". Their aim is to be recognised as champions – a status earned through relentless effort, continual improvement, and the belief that they will always find a way to succeed.