Manchester City have made an early and unsettling statement about their ambitions, a sentiment first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. She remarked, “A true champion is someone who goes and wins again. A winner might be a one‑off, but a champion repeats the achievement.” This distinction between a fleeting victor and a sustained champion underpins the tone of City’s new campaign.
Starting the season with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a mere winner from a genuine champion. The path to becoming a champion is not a single event; it is a continuous process that requires backing up early successes with consistent performances week after week. After the opening two rounds of matches, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect points tally, a scenario that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The defending champions have seized the initiative, treating the early phase of the title race as a professional sprint. Their rivals in the north of Manchester have already been left trailing in their wake.
Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true strength of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends to create a cohesive whole, driven by a single guiding principle: “We always find a way.” In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, before any ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the new season would be different from the previous one.
She dismissed the notion that being the title‑holders would automatically grant them an easy path. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she said. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so fresh now. I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” The summer break brought more than just rest for Greenwood.
She announced her engagement to long‑term partner Jack, a milestone that added a personal highlight to an otherwise quiet off‑season. She recalled, with a smile, how she tried to cancel the evening’s plans on the day of the proposal because she wasn’t in the mood to go out.
Jack, however, had already paid a hefty deposit on a restaurant, kept the surprise under wraps, and delivered a memorable moment. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles numerous responsibilities and rarely gets the chance to completely disconnect from the high standards she sets for herself and the team. She likened it to an endless homework assignment that never truly ends.
"I’m not the kind of person who can turn everything off," Greenwood admitted. "I’m thinking about the game most of the time. I reflect a lot.
I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. I’m lucky to have a close‑knit dressing room; it’s an open environment where we can speak freely.
I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions." Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for the squad. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately securing their first title in a decade. Their style of play was more liberated and inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. The team reinvented itself across the pitch, with each player adapting to new roles and each match presenting fresh tactical puzzles.
Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the side usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that certain results from the previous season created moments of heightened tension, yet the team remained in control. "We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in charge of the game.
That helps with preparation and everything else. We faced setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way," she said. City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title pursuits.
The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz emphasizes a culture of never being satisfied, an insatiable drive to improve every detail. "He’s very open to challenge," Greenwood added. "He invites it.
He wants us to challenge him and each other. It’s a highly competitive league.
Teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love that. 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 the opposition we face." Momentum is firmly on Manchester City’s side.
They have developed multiple solutions for a wide range of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single poor result appear far behind them. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across all competitions, especially as they embark on a demanding European campaign. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League fixtures from her living room.
"Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be part of them?" These considerations extend well beyond pre‑season chatter. Questions arise about how City will handle the increased workload, whether they can sustain a rhythm of three games per week, and if the squad depth is sufficient 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. Over the past decade, City have invested heavily to uncover the formula for becoming a consistent WSL champion. The club now boasts a £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a steady influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who embodies leadership.
Adding to this mix is Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season strongly. In a league where consistency has already hampered the biggest rivals, Manchester City’s resolve to win appears stronger than ever. They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely as winners. Their aim is to be recognized as true champions, a status they intend to defend through relentless effort, tactical adaptability, and a collective belief that they will always find a way to succeed.