Manchester City have already put a strong statement on the board this season, and their captain Alex Greenwood made that sentiment crystal clear during pre‑season. She said, “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.” Starting the campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underlines Greenwood’s belief that there is a fundamental difference between simply winning a match and building a lasting championship legacy.
To be a champion, she argues, is a journey that demands constant reinforcement of past achievements rather than occasional flashes of brilliance. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone at the summit of 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 have seized the initiative, taking the baton and attacking the opening phase of the title race with the poise of seasoned professionals. Their rivals in the north of Manchester have been left trailing in their wake.
Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component clicks together to form 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 explained that her mindset for the new season will be approached from a fresh angle. “Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have been complacent,” she admitted, “but that’s not the case.” She went on to describe a mental reset she needed over the summer.
“I needed a switch off,” Greenwood said. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and I really enjoyed it.” The offseason also brought personal milestones. Greenwood got engaged to her long‑time partner Jack, an event that almost didn’t happen because she tried to cancel their dinner plans on the day of the proposal.
“I wasn’t in the mood to go out,” she laughed, “but Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant. He kept it low‑key, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood labeled the summer a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open,” juggling her own high standards with the expectations of the squad – a never‑ending homework assignment, she joked.
She emphasized that she rarely switches off completely because the role of a captain extends far beyond the pitch. “I’m not the type of person to turn everything off,” she explained.
“I’m on most of the time, reflecting a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge off‑field role. I’m lucky to have a dressing‑room that’s close‑knit and open, where we can speak freely.
I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke pleasant memories for City fans. The team dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by pressure. Reinvention was evident across the pitch, from player to player and match to match.
Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, never quite able to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns. Even on nights when the performance was modest, the squad usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood said, “I 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, which helps with preparation. 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 pursuits, despite coming close. The changes required were subtle rather than radical.
“The manager made subtle differences with big results,” Greenwood noted, while Jeglertz described the approach as “never being satisfied,” a relentless drive to improve down to the minutest detail. “He's very open to challenge,” Greenwood added. “He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other.
It’s a highly 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 quality of opposition we face.” Manchester City currently ride a wave of momentum.
They have devised multiple solutions for most problems and have shed the old perception that a single slip could undermine their mental toughness. The new challenge is to maintain these high 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 questions reach far beyond pre‑season chatter.
How will City manage the increased workload? Can they adapt to the relentless rhythm of three games a week? Does the squad have enough depth and quality to contest on every front?
“We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage. We cannot waste our opportunity,” Greenwood asserted. After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have the tools to stay at the top: a new £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, a wave of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the brilliance of 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 desire to win appears more determined than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder. The hard work they have put in is aimed not merely at being winners, but at being true champions.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, kick‑off at 7 p.m. (6.30 p.m. start).