Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. She remarked, "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 victory and sustained dominance sets the tone for the club's approach this year. Starting the campaign with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood's belief that there is a clear line separating a mere winner from a genuine champion. Achieving champion status is not a one‑time event; it is a continual process that requires a team to back up each success with the next, reinforcing a culture of consistency.
Only one team currently sits atop the table with a perfect points tally after the opening two rounds, a scenario that has not been seen in the Women's Super League since 2015. The defending champions have immediately positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the initiative in the early stages of the race with the professionalism of a side that knows what it means to carry the title. Their early dominance has left their Manchester rivals in the dust, highlighting the widening gap between the two clubs.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component contributes to a cohesive whole, bound together by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." This mantra has been evident in every training session and match preparation, creating a collective mindset that obstacles are merely puzzles to solve.
In a candid conversation at the club's training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the new season would be framed differently from the previous one. She dismissed any notion that being title‑holders would automatically grant them an easy path. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she said. "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." The summer break proved transformative for Greenwood in more ways than one. She announced her engagement to long‑term partner Jack, a personal milestone that added a layer of joy to her off‑field life. She recounted the evening of the proposal with a smile: "If I'm being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans.
I wasn't in the mood to go out. But Jack had paid a heavy deposit on the restaurant. He kept it cool, didn't give much away, and it turned out to be amazing." Beyond romance, Greenwood described the offseason as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly feels the weight of responsibility, with countless mental "tabs" open at any given moment.
The role demands constant reflection and leadership, both on and off the pitch. "I'm not the kind of person to turn it all off, 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, we're very close, it's an open environment to speak. I'm not the only one with the authority to make big calls," she explained. Looking back at last season evokes fond memories for the squad.
City were the dominant force, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately clinching their first league title in a decade. Their style of play was freer and more inventive, guided by Jeglertz's philosophy rather than constrained by it.
The team reinvented itself continuously, with each player and each match offering fresh tactical nuances that kept opponents guessing. Opponents often found themselves uncertain when facing City, never quite sure what pattern of play would emerge. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the desired result. Greenwood highlighted the mental aspect of handling pressure: "I get asked a lot about pressure, and certain results made for pressure moments last season.
We don't enjoy losing. But in reality, we were in control. That helps with your preparation, with everything really.
We had setbacks but we also had a safety net. That is what we do, always find a way." This season, City appear to possess an added edge—a brand of resilience that felt missing in previous title pursuits.
The changes implemented by Jeglertz have been subtle yet impactful. Greenwood noted, "The manager made subtle differences with big results," and added that Jeglertz describes his approach as "never being satisfied," an insatiable drive to refine every detail.
She praised the manager's openness to challenge: "He's very open to challenge. 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 culture of internal competition pushes the squad to constantly elevate their standards.
Manchester City now ride a wave of momentum. They have developed multiple solutions for most tactical problems, and the days when a single poor result would cast doubt on their mental toughness are largely behind them.
The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, especially as they aim to make a deeper run in European tournaments. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having watched last season's Champions League matches from her living room rather than being on the pitch.
"Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" Her words underline the ambition to translate domestic success into continental glory. These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season chatter.
Questions now revolve around how City will cope with the increased workload, whether they can sustain a three‑game‑a‑week rhythm, and if the squad possesses sufficient depth to compete on every front. Greenwood summed it up succinctly: "We weren't there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage.
We cannot waste our opportunity." Over the past decade, City have invested heavily to unlock the formula for sustained WSL success. They now boast a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty objectives, and an influx of talent ready for top‑flight football. The addition of PFA Player of the Year Bunny Shaw, who has already started the season strongly, adds further firepower. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City's determination to win appears more resolute than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; the hard work they have put in is aimed at being recognized as champions, not merely as winners. Their early results, combined with a clear philosophy and a captain who embodies both leadership and personal growth, suggest they are well‑positioned to defend their title and perhaps add European silverware to their collection.
Fans can catch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with a kickoff at 7 p.m. (broadcast from 6.30 p.m.). The club also invites supporters to participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, entry being free of charge.