Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that clear during pre‑season. She reminded everyone that "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 underpins the way City have started the new campaign: they are the only side to have secured back‑to‑back victories in the opening two rounds, a feat not achieved since 2015. Greenwood’s comment highlights a belief that there is a fundamental difference between simply winning a match and building a lasting championship pedigree, a process that demands consistent performance and relentless reinforcement of past successes.
Only one team currently sits atop the points table after the first two fixtures, and that team is the defending WSL champions. Their early dominance suggests they have taken the baton and are sprinting ahead in the race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners, leaving the rest of Manchester, particularly the red half of the city, trailing in their wake. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz, embodying the stability that has allowed the squad to function as a cohesive unit.
The beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component contributes to a well‑rounded whole, bound together by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." During a conversation at the club’s training base, just before the first ball was struck, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would be approached differently this time around. She dismissed the notion that being title‑defenders would automatically grant them an easy path, insisting instead that a mental reset was essential. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she said. "This summer I had total freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now.
I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it." Greenwood’s summer was not only a period of rest but also a time of personal milestones. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, an event that almost didn’t happen because she tried to cancel their plans on the day of the proposal. "I was honestly not in the mood to go out," she laughed, recalling how Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on a restaurant and kept the surprise under wraps. The experience turned out to be "amazing," she added, and she described the whole break as a "necessary reset".
As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – the weight of her own high standards and the expectations of the team never truly switch off, resembling a never‑ending homework assignment. "I’m not the type of person who can completely turn it all off," Greenwood admitted.
"I’m on most of the time, reflecting a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. I’m lucky with the dressing room we have – we’re very close, it’s an open environment where you can speak freely. I’m not the only one with the authority to make big decisions." Looking back at last season evokes fond memories for the squad.
City were the dominant force, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first league title in a decade. The football they played was freer and more inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than being weighed down by it. Reinvention occurred across the pitch, from player to player and match to match. Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns of play that City displayed.
Even on days when the performance seemed unremarkable, the team usually managed to secure the necessary result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain results from the previous season created pressure moments, but the team’s control over games helped mitigate that stress. "We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control," she said. "That helps with preparation and everything else.
We had 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 felt missing in earlier title pursuits. The manager has not overhauled the squad but has introduced subtle adjustments that have yielded significant outcomes.
Jeglertz describes his approach as "never being satisfied," an insatiable drive to improve every detail. Greenwood echoed this sentiment, stating that the manager welcomes challenges and encourages the squad to question him and each other. "It’s a very competitive league," she added.
"Teams have strengthened so much this summer, and I love it. We remind each other that we are 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 Manchester City’s side.
They have cultivated multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was doubted after a single poor result are now behind them. The new challenge is to maintain those high standards across all competitions, especially as they embark on a demanding European campaign. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" These questions extend far beyond pre‑season speculation.
How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a rhythm of three matches per week? Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on every front?
Greenwood believes the experience of missing out last year can be turned into an advantage. "We cannot waste our opportunity," she warned.
After a decade of searching for the formula to become genuine WSL champions, City now possess the tools to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a wave of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the brilliance 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 appears stronger than ever. They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognized as champions, a status they intend to defend with the same tenacity that earned them the title in the first place.