Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment voiced loudly by captain Alex Greenwood 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.” This distinction between a fleeting winner and a sustained champion underpins the team’s mindset as they embark on the new campaign. Starting the season with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so early in the league – serves as proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating simple success from true greatness.
To become a champion, a club must continuously back up its achievements, turning early triumphs into a habit rather than an isolated event. Only one team currently sits atop the table with a perfect record after the first two rounds, a scenario that has not been seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The defending champions have seized the initiative, treating the opening phase of the race like seasoned professionals, while the other Manchester club has been left trailing in the dust. Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz.
The beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old explained that her approach to the season would be framed differently this time around. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she admitted. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so fresh now.
I can’t remember the last time I got that long a break, so I definitely enjoyed it.” Her summer break was not only about rest; it also included a personal milestone. Greenwood became engaged to long‑time partner Jack, even though she initially tried to cancel their plans on the night of the proposal, not knowing what was about to happen. “If I’m being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans,” she laughed. “I wasn’t in the mood to go out.
But Jack had paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant. He kept it cool, didn’t give much away, and it turned out amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the off‑season as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open,” making it difficult to completely disengage from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. It feels like an endless homework assignment. “I’m not the type of person who can turn everything off,” she said.
“I’m on most of the time, reflecting a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch.
I’m lucky with the dressing‑room we have – we’re very close, an open environment where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one with the authority to make big calls.” Looking back at last season evokes fond memories. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and eventually clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was freer, more inventive, driven by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by expectations.
Reinvention was evident across the pitch, from player to player and game to game. Opponents often entered matches uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict 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 explained, “I get asked a lot about pressure, and certain results created pressure moments last season.
We don’t enjoy losing. But in reality, 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 – we always find a way.” City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in previous title chases. The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, subtle adjustments from the manager yielded significant outcomes. 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 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, and that fuels us to stay that way.
But we have huge respect for the level of opposition we face.” Manchester City carry momentum into the new season. They have devised multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are now behind them.
The new challenge is to maintain those standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood said, expressing frustration at having watched 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?” These concerns extend far beyond pre‑season banter.
How will City cope with the increased demands of 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 our opportunity,” Greenwood asserted. After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now possess the tools needed to stay at the summit: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training facility, 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 league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners.
Their aim is to be recognized as true champions, a status they intend to defend throughout the season. Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, kickoff at 7 pm.