Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that 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.” 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 – validates Greenwood’s belief that there is a tangible gap between merely winning and truly championing. To become a champion, a club must consistently back up every triumph, turning isolated successes into a continuous narrative of dominance.
After the first two rounds of matches, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect points tally, something that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have already positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the momentum of the opening leg of the race with the poise of seasoned professionals.
Their early lead has left the rest of Manchester, particularly the city’s red‑shirted rivals, trailing in their wake. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz.
The real strength of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, driven 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 upcoming season would be approached from a fresh perspective. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she admitted. “This summer I had complete freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” Her summer hiatus was marked by significant personal milestones, including an engagement to her long‑time partner Jack.
Greenwood recounted the amusing anecdote of almost canceling their celebration plans on the very day of the proposal. “Honestly, I tried to cancel our dinner,” 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 low‑key, didn’t give anything away, and the evening turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never truly able to switch off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. It feels like an endless homework assignment, she said. “I’m not the type of person who can completely shut down,” Greenwood explained.
“I’m involved the majority of the time, reflecting constantly. I needed this pause because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch. Fortunately, we have a close‑knit dressing‑room environment where we can speak openly.
I’m not the only one making big decisions.” Looking back at last season evokes fond memories for the team. City dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first title in a decade. The football they produced was freer and more inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it.
Reinvention was evident across the pitch, with each player adapting and evolving from game to game. Opponents often found themselves unsure of what to expect, as City’s tactics were in a state of constant flux.
Even on days when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain results from the previous season generated heightened expectations. "We don’t enjoy losing," she said, "but we were in control most of the time.
That control helps us prepare. We faced setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way." City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits.
The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, Jeglertz introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Greenwood highlighted the manager’s relentless pursuit of improvement. "He’s very open to challenge," she added.
"He invites us to question him and each other. The league is incredibly competitive, and teams have strengthened a lot this summer.
We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. At the same time, we have massive respect for the quality of our opposition." Momentum is firmly on Manchester City’s side.
The team has devised multiple solutions for a wide range of problems, and the era of questioning their mental toughness after a single slip‑up appears to be over. The new challenge lies in maintaining high standards across all competitions, especially as they embark on a demanding European campaign. "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 field." These concerns raise broader questions that extend beyond pre‑season chatter: How will City manage the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week?
Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on every front? "We weren’t there last year, and we need to use that feeling to our advantage," Greenwood asserted. "We cannot waste this opportunity." After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have all the pieces in place: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious goals, a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the likes of Bunny Shaw – the PFA Player of the Year – already making an impact.
In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, Manchester City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to cement their status as genuine champions. Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6:30 pm (kick‑off at 7 pm).