Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, and captain Alex Greenwood made that clear during the 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 new campaign with two straight 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 establishing a lasting legacy as a champion. To become a champion, a club must repeatedly back up its early successes with consistent performances, turning a promising start into a sustained campaign.
Only one team now sits on maximum points after the opening two rounds of the season, a situation that has not been seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions appear to have taken the lead in the title race, treating the early stages like a professional sprint and leaving the rest of Manchester in their wake. Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz.
The 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 chat at the club’s training base, before the first ball was even struck, the 32‑year‑old explained that her mindset for the season would be different this time. “Because we’re title‑holders, I could have gone in with a presumptuous attitude,” she said, “but that’s not how I’m approaching things.” “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood added.
“This summer I had complete freedom – no training schedule, no travel commitments – and that gave me a fresh perspective. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, so I really enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season was marked by several personal milestones, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack.
She admitted she almost cancelled the evening plans for the proposal, not knowing what was about to happen. “If I’m being completely honest, on the day I tried to cancel our plans,” she laughed, “I just wasn’t in the mood to go out.
Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept everything low‑key, and it turned out to be an amazing night.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open” – the weight of her own high standards and the expectations of the squad never truly switch off, much like an endless homework assignment. “I’m not the type of person who can completely turn everything off,” she explained. “I spend a lot of time reflecting. I needed a breather because a captain’s responsibilities extend far beyond the pitch.
Fortunately, we have a close‑knit dressing room, an open environment where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one making big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke pleasant memories for anyone who follows the club. City dominated the league, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was freer, more inventive – a product of Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than a burden of expectations.
Reinvention was evident across the entire squad, from individual players to collective tactics. Opponents often entered matches uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns City displayed. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood said, “People ask me a lot about pressure, especially after certain results last season that created high‑stakes moments.
We don’t like losing, but we were in control. That control helped us prepare for everything.
We faced 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 seemed missing in previous title pursuits.
The squad did not need a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as “never being satisfied,” an insatiable desire to refine every detail.
“He’s very open to challenges,” Greenwood noted. “He invites us to question him and each other.
The league is fiercely competitive, and teams have strengthened a lot this summer. We remind one another that we are winners, and that fuels our ambition to stay that way.
We also have huge respect for the quality of the opposition we face.” Manchester City currently enjoy momentum. They have devised multiple solutions for a range of tactical problems, and the days when their mental toughness was doubted after a single slip‑up are behind them.
The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across all competitions, including the demanding schedule of European fixtures. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood said, expressing frustration at having watched last season’s Champions League matches from her living room.
“Do you know how hard it is to sit on the couch and watch those games when you’d rather be on the pitch?” These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a rhythm of three games per week?
Does the squad have sufficient 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 affirmed. “We cannot waste this opportunity.” After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have all the tools required to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who leads by example.
And, of course, they have 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, City’s determination to win appears stronger than ever.
They are not content with being a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for merely being winners. Their goal is to be recognized as true champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless effort throughout the season.