Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that clear during pre‑season. She warned, "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 victor and a sustained champion underpins the club’s mindset as they kick off the new campaign.
Starting the season with two consecutive victories – the only side to do so at this point – serves as proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a measurable gap between simply winning a match and establishing a lasting legacy. A champion, she argues, is forged through a process that demands relentless consistency and the ability to back up early successes with continued performance. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone on maximum points, a feat not achieved in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The defending champions appear poised to dominate the title race, taking the baton from their rivals and attacking the early stages of the season with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. In doing so, they have left the other Manchester club, United, trailing in their wake. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz.
The true strength of this Manchester City side lies in how every 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 captain explained that her approach to the upcoming season would be framed differently, rejecting any complacency that might arise from being title‑holders. "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 period of rest proved transformative for Greenwood, not only professionally but personally. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment she almost tried to postpone. "If I’m being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans," she laughed.
"I wasn’t in the mood to go out. But Jack had paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant.
He kept it cool, didn’t give much away, and it turned out amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities and high expectations, both for herself and for the squad. It can feel like an endless homework assignment that never truly ends. "I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off," she admitted. "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." This openness, she believes, is crucial for maintaining the team’s cohesion and resilience.
Looking back at last season evokes fond memories for the players. City were the dominant force, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately clinching their first league title in a decade. Their football was liberated, inventive, and guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by pressure.
Throughout the campaign, the squad reinvented itself game after game, with each player adapting to new tactical nuances. Opponents often entered matches unsure of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns that City displayed.
Even on nights when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the desired result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained, "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." The current squad now possesses a brand of grit that felt missing in earlier title pursuits. The manager has not overhauled the roster; instead, he has introduced subtle adjustments that have yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes this philosophy as "never being satisfied," an insatiable drive to improve every detail.
Greenwood added, "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 mutual respect fuels the squad’s ambition while keeping them grounded. Manchester City now enjoy momentum. They have developed multiple solutions for a variety of on‑field problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are behind them. The new challenge is to sustain these standards across all competitions, especially as they re‑enter European play.
Greenwood confessed her frustration at watching last season’s Champions League from the comfort of her living room: "I live for European nights. Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season banter. The questions looming ahead include: How will City manage the increased demands of a congested schedule?
Can they adapt to the relentless rhythm of three matches a 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.
We cannot waste our opportunity," Greenwood asserted. The club has spent a decade searching for the formula to become a consistent WSL champion. Today, they possess the tools: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football, a capable captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season in scintillating form. In a league where rivals have already shown signs of inconsistency, 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 aim is to be recognised as true champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless effort and unwavering belief.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6.30 pm, with kickoff at 7 pm.