Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during pre‑season. She warned, “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.” 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 a lasting championship pedigree.
To become a champion, a club must consistently back up its achievements, turning isolated successes into a sustained narrative of dominance. After the opening two rounds of fixtures, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect points tally, something that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have already taken the lead in the title race, treating the first leg of the season as a professional sprint.
Their rivals from the north‑west have been left trailing in their wake. Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way every individual component meshes to form a seamless 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 explained that she is approaching this season with a fresh mindset.
“Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have been complacent,” she said, “but that’s not the case.” She admitted she needed a mental reset. “This summer I had complete freedom, no strict schedule, and that’s why I feel rejuvenated now. I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season was marked by personal milestones as well.
Greenwood got engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, despite initially trying to cancel the evening’s plans on the day of the proposal. “Honestly, I tried to back out that night,” she laughed. “Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant.
He kept it low‑key, didn’t give anything away, and the surprise was amazing.” Beyond the romance, she described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open,” never fully able to switch off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. It feels like an endless homework assignment. “I'm not the type to turn everything off,” she explained. “I’m involved most of the time, reflecting a lot.
I needed a breather because a captain’s responsibilities extend far beyond the pitch. I’m lucky, though – the dressing‑room is tight‑knit, an open space where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one making big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke pleasant memories.
City dominated the league, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by it.
Reinvention was evident across the entire pitch, from player to player and match to match. Opponents would brace themselves before facing City, never quite sure what pattern of play would emerge. Even on days when the performance was modest, the team almost always secured the desired result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood said, “People ask me about pressure a lot.
Certain results last season created pressure moments. We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control. That control helps with preparation. We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net.
That’s why we always find a way.” City now possess an edge – a brand of grit that seemed missing in previous title chases, despite coming close. The squad did not need a wholesale overhaul.
“The manager made subtle tweaks that yielded big outcomes,” Greenwood noted. Jeglertz describes his approach as “never being satisfied,” an insatiable drive to improve every detail. “He’s very open to challenge,” Greenwood added. “He invites us to challenge him and each other.
The league is fiercely competitive; teams have strengthened massively this summer, and I love that. We remind each other that we’re winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. Yet we have huge respect for the quality of the opposition.” Manchester City ride a wave of momentum.
They have devised multiple solutions for most problems that arise. The days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are gone. The new challenge is to maintain those 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 from her living room.
“Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be on the field?” These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a relentless schedule of three games per 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 chasing the secret to becoming WSL champions, City now possess all the tools required to stay at the summit: 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 superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw – the PFA Player of the Year – already off to a flying start. In a Women’s Super League season where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s determination appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder. After years of hard work, they aim not just to be winners but to be recognized unequivocally as champions.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, kick‑off at 7 pm (pre‑match coverage from 6.30 pm).