Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the preseason. She remarked, "A true champion is someone who goes and wins again.
A winner might be one‑off. But a champion does it over and over." This distinction between a fleeting victor and a sustained champion underpins the tone of City’s new campaign. Starting the season with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as a practical illustration of Greenwood’s philosophy. It demonstrates that being a champion is not a single moment but a continual process that requires backing up early success with relentless consistency.
In fact, after the first two rounds of matches, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a situation that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have seized the initiative, approaching the opening phase of the title race with the professionalism of a team that already considers itself the benchmark. Greenwood has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz.
The beauty of the Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, driven 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 she intends to approach this season with a different mental framework. She dismissed the notion that being title‑holders automatically grants any advantage, insisting instead that the squad must earn every accolade anew. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she said.
"This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that is why I feel so fresh now. I can’t remember the last time I got that long off, so I definitely enjoyed it." The break proved transformative for Greenwood, not only professionally but personally. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack during the offseason, a milestone that added a layer of joy to her period of rest. "If I’m being really honest, the day of the proposal I tried to cancel plans," 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 much away, and it turned out to be amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly feels like she has "tabs open" – an endless list of responsibilities that makes it difficult to completely disengage from the high standards she sets for herself and the team. "I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off, I’m on most of the time.
I reflect a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch. But I’m lucky with the dressing‑room we have; we’re very close, it’s an open environment to speak.
I’m not the only one with the authority to make big calls." Reflecting on last season evokes a sense of pride. City dominated the league from early November, ultimately clinching their first WSL title in a decade. Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the football was freer and more inventive, allowing players to express themselves without being shackled by rigid tactics. The squad reinvented itself game after game, and opponents often entered matches unsure of what to expect, given City’s ever‑evolving patterns of play.
Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the necessary result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain outcomes last season created tense moments, but she emphasized that the team remained in control.
"We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control. That helps with preparation and everything else.
We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That is what we do – always find a way." City now possess a subtle yet potent edge, a kind of gritty determination that seemed missing in previous title pursuits. The manager has introduced nuanced adjustments that have produced significant outcomes, and Greenwood highlighted Jeglertz’s relentless pursuit of improvement.
"He’s very open to challenge," she noted. "He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other.
It’s such a competitive league. Teams have strengthened so much this summer, I love it. We remind each other we are winners, that fuels us to want to remain that.
But we have huge respect for the level of opposition we face." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. The squad has developed multiple solutions for a wide range of tactical dilemmas, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are largely behind them. The new challenge is to sustain these high standards across all competitions, especially as they re‑enter European contests.
Greenwood expressed her enthusiasm for continental nights, confessing the frustration of watching 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?" she asked, underscoring her desire to compete on the biggest stages. These considerations raise broader questions about the club’s capacity to handle an intensified schedule. Can City adapt to the relentless rhythm of three games per week?
Does the squad have sufficient depth and quality to compete on every front without compromising performance? Greenwood believes the answer lies in learning from the previous season’s shortcomings. "We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage.
We cannot waste our opportunity," she asserted. Over the past decade, City have invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to become a lasting WSL powerhouse: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training facility, an ambitious manager with clear targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who embodies leadership. Adding to this mix is the emergence of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already made an impact.
In a league where consistency has already begun to erode the hopes of City’s biggest rivals, Manchester City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners. Their aim is to cement themselves as champions – a status earned through repeated triumphs, not a single flash of brilliance.