Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. She warned, “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 new campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underlines Greenwood’s belief that there is a distinct line between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting championship pedigree.
To become a champion, a club must consistently back up every achievement, turning isolated successes into a sustained pattern of excellence. After the first two rounds of fixtures this season, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a circumstance not seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have seized the early momentum, treating the opening leg of the title race as a professional sprint, leaving their Manchester rivals in the dust. Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz.
The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends into 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 season will be framed differently this time around. “Because we are the title holders, I could have been complacent,” she admitted, “but that’s not the case.” “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood continued. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so fresh now.
I can’t recall the last time I got such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” The summer break proved transformative for Greenwood in more ways than one. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a milestone that almost slipped through the cracks due to a last‑minute change of plans on the evening of the proposal.
“If I’m being completely honest, on the day I tried to cancel our plans,” she laughed, “I wasn’t in the mood to go out. Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept everything cool, and the surprise turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the off‑season as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open,” never fully able to disconnect from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad – a feeling she likened to an endless homework assignment.
“I’m not the type to turn everything off; I’m on most of the time,” she said. “I reflect a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch.
I’m lucky with the dressing‑room we have – we’re close, it’s an open environment where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions.” Looking back at last season evokes fond memories for Greenwood. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and eventually clinching their first title in a decade.
The football they produced 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 from game to game. Opponents often entered matches unsure of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns.
Even on nights when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained, “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 bids. The manager did not overhaul the squad; instead, he introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Greenwood noted Jeglertz’s approach as “never being satisfied,” an insatiable drive 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 a highly competitive league. Teams have strengthened so much this summer, and I love it. We remind each other we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way.
We also have huge respect for the level of opposition we face.” Manchester City’s momentum is evident. They have developed multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip‑up are behind them.
The new challenge is to maintain those standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, referring to the frustration of watching 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 considerations extend far beyond pre‑season banter. How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a relentless rhythm 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 asserted. “We cannot waste our opportunity.” After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have the ingredients for sustained success: a £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, a flood of WSL‑ready talent, a superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already off to a flying start.
In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognised as champions, season after season.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, kick‑off at 7 pm.