Manchester City have already signalled their intent to dominate the new season, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during pre‑season. She warned, "A true champion is someone who goes and wins again.
A winner might be one‑off. But a champion does it over and over." This distinction between a fleeting winner and a sustained champion underpins the team’s early momentum. Starting the campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that greatness is measured by consistency, not isolated triumphs.
The process of becoming a champion is incremental; it demands that every success be reinforced by the next, creating a relentless upward trajectory. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally – a scenario not witnessed in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have seized the initiative, treating the opening leg of the title race like seasoned professionals, while the rest of Manchester’s footballing landscape lags behind.
Greenwood has been a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way each individual component clicks together, forming a cohesive whole that lives by a single mantra: "We always find a way." In a candid chat at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season will be different this time around. She dismissed any notion that being title‑holders automatically grants an easy path, insisting that complacency has no place at City. "I needed a mental switch‑off," Greenwood admitted.
"This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that is why I feel so fresh now. I can’t remember the last time I got that long off, so I definitely enjoyed it." Her summer break was not only a period of rest but also a time of personal milestones.
She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, an event that added a touch of romance to her downtime. She laughed that she initially tried to cancel their celebration plans, but Jack had already secured a hefty deposit on a restaurant and kept the surprise under wraps, turning the evening into a memorable occasion. Beyond the engagement, Greenwood described the hiatus as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities – she likens it to having endless tabs open on a computer – and the pressure of her own high standards can be relentless.
"I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off," she said. "I’m on the majority of the time.
I reflect a lot. I needed a break, because a captain has a huge role off the pitch. But I’m lucky with the dressing‑room we have; it’s an open environment to speak.
I’m not the only one with the authority to make big calls." Reflecting on last season evokes pride. City were the dominant force, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first league title in a decade. Their football was liberated and inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it.
The team reinvented itself across the pitch, with each player adapting to new roles and each match presenting fresh tactical puzzles for opponents. Rivals never knew what to expect, and even on days when City’s performance seemed ordinary, they still managed to secure the desired results. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that while the team dislikes losing, they often find themselves in control of the game, which eases the mental burden. "We had setbacks but we also had a safety net.
That is what we do, always find a way," she said. This season, City possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in previous title pursuits.
The manager’s subtle adjustments have yielded significant outcomes, and Jeglertz’s relentless pursuit of perfection – an "never‑be‑satisfied" attitude – pushes the squad to refine 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 so much this summer, I love it. We remind each other we are winners, that fuels us to want to remain that.
But we have huge respect for the level of opposition we face." This respect fuels their hunger, and the club’s momentum is palpable. City have developed multiple solutions for a variety of on‑field problems, and the days when a single poor result would cast doubt on their mental toughness are behind them. The real test now lies in maintaining those high standards across all competitions, especially as they venture deeper into European contests.
Greenwood confessed a personal frustration from the previous season: watching the Champions League from her living room without being able to contribute on the pitch. "I live for European nights," she said, emphasizing her desire to be directly involved in those high‑stakes matches. These considerations raise broader questions about the squad’s capacity to handle an intensified schedule.
Can they sustain three games a week without compromising quality? Does the depth of the roster allow them to compete on multiple fronts? Greenwood believes the answer lies in learning from the past.
"We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage," she insisted. "We cannot waste our opportunity." The club has invested heavily in its future: a state‑of‑the‑the‑art £10 million training complex, a visionary manager with ambitious targets, and a steady influx of talent ready for WSL competition. And of course, there’s the ever‑impressive Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season brightly.
In a league where consistency has already hampered their main challengers, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to cement themselves as genuine champions, a status earned through relentless effort, strategic evolution, and an unyielding belief that they will always find a way to succeed. Fans can catch the upcoming clash between Manchester City and Liverpool on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with kick‑off at 7 p.m.
The match promises to showcase the champions‑in‑the‑making as they continue to chase a season of sustained excellence.