Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, and captain Alex Greenwood made that clear during pre‑season. She said, “A true champion is someone who goes back and wins again. A one‑off victory makes you a winner, but a champion repeats the feat.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s view that there is a fundamental difference between simply winning and truly championing. To become a champion, a club must consistently back up its achievements, turning isolated triumphs into a sustained process.
After the first two rounds of fixtures this season, only one team sits on a perfect points tally – a situation not seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have already positioned themselves as the team to beat, taking the initiative in the opening phase of the title race with the poise of seasoned professionals.
In doing so, they have left the rest of Manchester’s football scene far behind. Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz.
The beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way every individual component clicks together, creating a cohesive whole that lives 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 her mindset for the season will be different this time around. She dismissed the notion that being title‑holders automatically grants any advantage. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she said. “This summer I had complete freedom, no training 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.” The summer break brought several personal changes for Greenwood, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack. She recounted how she almost cancelled their plans on the night of the proposal, not knowing what was about to happen. “Honestly, I tried to cancel the evening,” 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 hiatus as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open” – a mental load that makes it difficult to fully disengage from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. “I’m not the type of person who can turn everything off,” she admitted. “I’m involved most of the time, reflecting a lot. I needed a break because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch.
Fortunately, we have a close‑knit dressing‑room where everyone can speak openly. I’m not the only one making big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke pleasant memories for City supporters. The team dominated the league from early November, ultimately securing their first title in a decade. Under Jeglertz’s guidance, the football was freer and more inventive, driven by philosophy rather than pressure.
Reinvention occurred across the pitch – from player to player, match to match. Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑shifting patterns. Even on days when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the needed points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained, “People ask me about pressure a lot, especially after certain results last season.
We don’t like losing, but we were in control. That control helps 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 felt missing in previous title chases.
The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, Jeglertz introduced subtle tweaks that produced significant outcomes. Greenwood noted the manager’s relentless pursuit of improvement: “He’s never satisfied.
He wants us to challenge him and each other. The league is highly competitive, and teams have strengthened a lot over the summer.
We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. We also have huge respect for the quality of our opposition.” Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
The team has developed multiple solutions for a variety of tactical problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip‑up are behind them. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments.
“I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room. “It’s hard to sit there and not be on the field.” These considerations reach 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 all fronts? “We weren’t there last year, and we have to use that feeling to our advantage,” Greenwood said.
“We cannot waste this opportunity.” After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have everything they need: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, an influx of talent ready for the top tier, a superb captain, and the brilliance 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 resolve appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being one‑off winners; they have worked too hard to settle for anything less than true champions. Their aim is to cement their status as champions, not merely as winners.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6.30 pm (kick‑off 7 pm).