Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a confidence voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. She remarked, “A genuine champion is someone who keeps winning, not just a one‑off victor.
A winner may have a single triumph, but a champion repeats it.” Starting the new season with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has achieved so far – underscores Greenwood’s view that there is a stark line between merely winning and truly championing. To become a champion, a club must continually back up its achievements, turning isolated success into a sustained process.
After the first two rounds of fixtures, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect point 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, approaching the opening stages with the professionalism of a side that knows it is the benchmark. Their rivals from the north of Manchester have been left trailing in their wake.
Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City outfit lies in how every individual component blends into a cohesive whole, driven by a single guiding principle: “We always find a way.” In a conversation at the club’s training base, before the first ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old explained that her mindset for the season would be different this time around. “Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have been complacent,” she admitted, “but that’s not how I see it.” She went on to say, “I needed a mental reset. This summer I had the freedom of an open schedule, and that’s why I feel rejuvenated now.
I can’t recall the last time I had such an extended break, and I truly enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season was not only about rest. Greenwood also got engaged to her long‑term partner, Jack, after a rather humorous near‑cancellation of their proposal plans. “Honestly, on the day I tried to call off the evening,” she laughed, “I wasn’t in the mood to go out. Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept everything cool, and the surprise turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly feels the weight of responsibility, with “multiple tabs open” in her mind, never fully able to switch off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad.
It’s akin to an endless homework assignment that never truly ends. She explained, “I’m not the type of person who can completely shut everything down. I’m involved most of the time, reflecting a lot. I needed this pause because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch.
I’m fortunate that our dressing‑room environment is open and close‑knit; we can speak freely. I’m not the sole decision‑maker; the authority is shared.” Looking back at last season evokes pleasant memories. City dominated from early November, eventually clinching their first league title in a decade.
The football they played was liberated and inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention was evident across the entire team, from individual players to overall tactics. Opponents often entered matches unsure of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑shifting patterns. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the result.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood said, “I get asked a lot about it. Certain results last season created pressure moments. We don’t like losing, but we were in control, which helped our preparation.
We faced setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way.” City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in previous title runs. The squad did not require a massive overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes.
Jeglertz describes his approach as “never being satisfied,” an unrelenting drive to improve every detail. Greenwood added, “He’s very open to challenges.
He invites us to test him and each other. The league is fiercely competitive, and teams have strengthened a lot this summer. We constantly remind one another that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top.
At the same time, we have huge respect for the quality of our opposition.” Manchester City currently ride a wave of momentum. They have devised multiple solutions for most problems they encounter. The days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are gone.
The new challenge is to maintain their high standards across all competitions, especially with the added pressure of European fixtures. “I thrive on European nights,” Greenwood said, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room.
“It’s tough to sit on the couch and watch those games when you can’t be on the pitch.” These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a schedule that may demand 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. We cannot waste this opportunity,” Greenwood asserted.
City have spent a decade searching for the formula that turns a WSL contender into a champion. Today, they possess the tools: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, a strong captain, and the brilliance of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season brightly. In a league 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 as true champions. Watch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with kickoff at 7 pm.