Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a confidence that was voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. She remarked, “A true champion is someone who goes out and wins repeatedly.
A winner might achieve a single triumph, but a champion sustains success over and over again.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a fundamental difference between merely winning a match and establishing oneself as a champion. The journey to champion status, she explains, is a continuous process that can only be completed by consistently confirming the achievements that have already been earned. After the opening two rounds of fixtures, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect points tally, a scenario that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The defending champions have already positioned themselves as the team to beat, seizing the early momentum and tackling the first phase of the season with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. In doing so, they have left their Manchester rivals in the dust. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true elegance of this Manchester City side lies in the way each individual component blends together to form a cohesive whole, united by a single guiding maxim: “We always find a way.” During a conversation at the club’s training base, before any ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time around.
“Because we are the title‑holders, I could have taken a complacent attitude,” she said, “but that’s not the case.” “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood continued. “This summer I had complete freedom – no training schedule, no travel commitments – and that is why I feel so refreshed now.
I can’t recall the last time I had such an extended break, and I truly enjoyed it.” Her summer hiatus brought several personal changes, the most notable being her engagement to long‑time partner Jack. She recounted how 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 surprise.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “multiple tabs open,” meaning she never truly switches off from the high standards she sets for herself and the expectations of the squad.
It feels like an endless homework assignment. “I’m not the type of person who can completely power down,” she admitted.
“I spend the majority of my time reflecting. I needed this pause because a captain’s responsibilities extend far beyond the pitch. I’m fortunate to have a dressing‑room environment that is close‑knit and open, where we can speak freely.
I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke fond memories for any City supporter. The team dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately securing their first title in a decade. Their football was freer and more inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than feeling burdened by it.
Reinvention occurred across the entire pitch, from player to player and from match to match. Opponents often found themselves uneasy before facing City, unsure of what tactics would be deployed or how to anticipate the ever‑evolving patterns of play.
Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the squad almost always delivered the required result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that certain outcomes from the previous season had created moments of heightened expectation.
“We don’t enjoy losing,” she said, “but in reality we were in control. That control aids our preparation and everything else. We experienced setbacks, but we also had a safety net.
That’s why we always find a way.” City now possess a brand of grit that seemed absent during earlier title pursuits, even when they came close. The overhaul was not massive; instead, the manager introduced subtle adjustments that yielded significant results. Greenwood noted that Jeglertz describes the continual quest for improvement as “never being satisfied,” an insatiable desire to refine every detail. “He’s very open to challenge,” Greenwood added.
“He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other. It’s such a competitive league.
Teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love that. We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way.
But we also have huge respect for the quality of opposition we face.” Manchester City currently ride a wave of momentum. They have devised multiple solutions for most problems that arise on the field. The days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated poor result are behind them.
The new challenge is to maintain those high standards across every competition while also competing on the European stage. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, referencing the frustration of watching last season’s Champions League fixtures from her living room. “Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?” These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation.
How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to the relentless rhythm of three matches 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 said. “We cannot waste this opportunity.” City have spent a decade searching for the formula that turns a WSL contender into a consistent champion.
Today they possess all the ingredients: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, an influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the brilliance of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season brightly. In a Women's Super League campaign 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; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely as winners.
Their aim is to be recognized as champions, season after season. Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ on Friday, with kick‑off at 7 p.m. (broadcast from 6.30 p.m.).
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