Manchester City have announced their intentions with a confidence that borders on intimidation, a sentiment first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. She remarked, “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 victor and a sustained champion underpins the team’s early season narrative.
Starting the campaign with consecutive victories—making them the only side to achieve back‑to‑back wins at this stage—underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a simple winner from a genuine champion. The journey to championship status is not a single triumph but a continuous process that demands the team consistently reaffirm its achievements. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a feat not seen since 2015.
The defending WSL champions appear poised to dominate the race, seizing the momentum with a professionalism that leaves the rest of Manchester’s football scene in the dust. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz, and the true beauty 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 candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she is approaching this season with a different mindset. “Because we’re title‑holders, I could have become complacent,” she said, “but that’s not the case.” She added that she needed a mental reset over the summer. “I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so fresh now.
I can’t remember the last time I got a break that long, so I definitely enjoyed it.” Her summer was marked by personal milestones as well. Greenwood got engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, even after attempting to cancel their original celebration plans on the day of the proposal. “Honestly, I tried to cancel,” 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 cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the off‑season as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open,” juggling her own high standards with the expectations of the squad—a never‑ending homework assignment, she likens it. “I’m not the type to switch everything off; I’m on most of the time. I reflect a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch.
Luckily, our dressing‑room is close‑knit and open, so we can speak freely. I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions.” Reflecting on the previous campaign brings back fond memories.
City were the dominant force, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first league title in a decade. The football was more liberated and inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than feeling burdened by it.
Reinvention occurred across the pitch, from player to player and match to match. Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns. Even on days when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain moments from last season heightened expectations.
“We don’t enjoy losing,” she said, “but in reality we were in control. That helps with preparation.
We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s what we do—always find a way.” City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title bids. The manager has not overhauled the squad but introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes this as a relentless pursuit of improvement, an “never‑satisfied” drive to refine every detail.
Greenwood praised his openness to challenge: “He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other. The league is highly competitive, teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love it.
We remind each other we’re winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. We also have huge respect for the level of opposition we face.” Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
They have devised multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are gone. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across all competitions, especially with the added rigour of European fixtures. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League games from her living room. “Do you know how hard it is to watch those matches and not be involved?” These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season banter.
How will City manage the increased workload? Can they sustain a 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 this opportunity.” After a decade of chasing the secret to WSL supremacy, City now possess the tools to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a flood of WSL‑ready talent, a superb captain, and the electrifying presence of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who is already off to a flying start. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve to win appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognised as true champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless ambition. Watch Man City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6.30 pm (kick‑off 7 pm).