Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their competitors, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during the pre‑season. She said, "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 between a fleeting victor and a sustained champion lies at the heart of City’s mindset as they embark on a new campaign. Starting the season with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underlines Greenwood’s belief that there is a measurable gap between simply winning a match and building a championship pedigree.
A champion, in her view, is forged through a process that demands consistent delivery, not just isolated moments of brilliance. The fact that Manchester City sit alone atop the table after the opening two rounds, a situation not seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015, reinforces the idea that they are already setting a benchmark for the rest of the league. The defending champions have taken the baton and sprinted ahead, treating the first leg of the race as a professional sprint rather than a leisurely jog. Their early dominance has left the traditional Manchester rivals in the dust, and the gap appears to be widening with each passing fixture.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side, however, is not any single star but the way every component of the squad clicks together to form a cohesive whole. The team’s guiding mantra – "We always find a way" – is repeated in training sessions, tactical meetings and even in the locker‑room banter, creating a culture of resilience and adaptability.
In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she is approaching the season with a fresh mental frame. "Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have gone into a complacent mindset, but that’s not my style," she said.
"I needed a mental switch‑off over the summer. I had complete freedom, no strict schedule, and that gave me a chance to recharge. I can’t recall the last time I had such an extended break, and it feels amazing." Her summer hiatus was not only about rest.
Greenwood also got engaged to her long‑time partner Jack, a milestone that added a personal highlight to an otherwise professional pause. She recounted the night of the proposal with a laugh: "Honestly, I tried to cancel our plans that evening because I wasn’t in the mood to go out. Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on a restaurant, so he kept it low‑key, and the surprise turned out to be perfect." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities – from maintaining personal standards to managing team dynamics – and rarely gets a moment to truly disconnect.
"I’m not the type to switch everything off. I’m involved most of the time, reflecting on performance and planning ahead.
A captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch, and I’m fortunate to have a close‑knit dressing‑room where we can speak openly. I’m not the only one making big decisions; it’s a shared leadership model." Reflecting on the previous season evokes proud memories. City dominated the league from early November, clinching their first title in a decade with a brand of football that felt freer and more inventive than before.
Jeglertz’s philosophy encouraged players to express themselves, rather than feeling shackled by rigid tactics. This freedom sparked a reinvention across the squad – each player adjusted her role, each match presented a new tactical puzzle, and opponents found it difficult to anticipate what City would do next.
Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team still managed to secure the needed points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that last season’s crucial moments did generate stress, but the team’s overall control helped them manage it. "We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control most of the time. That control feeds into our preparation and our confidence.
We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net – the belief that we will always find a way." City now possess a subtle edge – a kind of tactical nastiness that was missing in earlier title races. The manager has not overhauled the squad; instead, he has introduced minor adjustments that have yielded significant results. Jeglertz describes his approach as a relentless pursuit of improvement, never allowing complacency to set in.
Greenwood echoed this sentiment, noting that Jeglertz welcomes challenges from his players. "He invites us to challenge him and each other. The league is fiercely competitive, and many teams have strengthened over the summer. We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top.
We also have huge respect for the quality of the opposition." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. Over the past months they have developed multiple solutions for a wide range of tactical problems, and the mental toughness that once faltered after an unexpected loss has become a hallmark of their identity.
The new challenge is to maintain those high standards across all competitions, especially as they re‑enter European football. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room rather than being on the pitch.
"It’s tough to watch those games and not be part of them." These remarks hint at larger questions that extend far beyond pre‑season chatter: How will City cope with the increased fixture load? Can they sustain a rhythm of three matches per week without sacrificing quality? Does the squad have enough depth to compete on domestic and continental fronts?
"We weren’t there last year, and we have to use that feeling to our advantage. We cannot waste this opportunity," Greenwood asserted. The club has invested heavily over the past decade to uncover the formula for sustained success: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of WSL‑ready talent, and a captain who embodies the team’s ethos. Adding to that roster is the prolific forward Bunny Shaw, the recent PFA Player of the Year, who has already begun the season with a flurry of goals.
In a league where consistency has already begun to erode the chances of City’s biggest rivals, Manchester City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are not content to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely as winners. Their goal is to be recognized as champions – a status earned through relentless consistency, strategic evolution, and an unwavering belief that they will always find a way to prevail.
The upcoming clash against Liverpool on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 7 pm promises to be a showcase of that philosophy in action. Fans can also take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available now.