Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during pre‑season. She said, "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 simple yet powerful distinction underscores the mindset that the club is trying to embed throughout the squad. Starting the new campaign with two straight victories – a feat no other side has managed so far this term – serves as a concrete illustration of Greenwood's belief that there is a fundamental difference between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting champion pedigree. A champion, she argues, is forged through a process of continual validation, where each success must be backed up by the next, creating a chain of consistency that cements a legacy.
After the opening two rounds of fixtures, 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 reigning champions have already positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the momentum early and treating the opening leg of the race with the professionalism of a seasoned champion. In doing so, they have left their city rivals in the dust and sent a clear message to the rest of the league. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andree Jeglertz.
The real beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way each individual component clicks together, forming a cohesive whole that operates under a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." This mantra is evident in every training session, tactical discussion, and matchday performance. During a candid conversation at the club's training base, Greenwood explained how she intends to approach the season differently now that the team are defending champions.
"Because we are title‑holders, I could have become complacent, but that’s not the case," she said. "I needed a mental switch‑off over the summer. I had freedom, no set schedule, and that reset left me feeling fresh and ready. I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it." The summer break also brought significant personal milestones for Greenwood.
She became engaged to her long‑time partner, Jack, after a memorable proposal that almost didn’t happen. "Honestly, on the day I tried to cancel our plans because I wasn’t in the mood to go out," she laughed.
"Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept everything cool, and the evening turned out to be amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the off‑season as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – the weight of her own high standards and the expectations of the squad never truly switch off. "I’m not the type of person who can completely turn it all off; I’m thinking about the team most of the time.
I reflect a lot, and I needed that break because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch. Fortunately, we have a close‑knit dressing room where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. I’m not the only one with authority to make big decisions." Looking back at last season evokes fond memories for the entire club. City dominated the league from early November, ultimately clinching their first title in a decade.
Their style of play was liberated and inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. The team reinvented itself continuously – from player to player, from match to match – leaving opponents uncertain about what to expect. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the squad almost always secured the result.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results from the previous campaign created high‑pressure moments, but the team’s control over games helped them manage those situations. "We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control most of the time, which made preparation easier. We faced setbacks, yet we always had a safety net.
That’s what our mantra means – we always find a way." City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits. The manager did not overhaul the squad; instead, he introduced subtle adjustments that produced significant outcomes.
Jeglertz’s approach is described as "never being satisfied" – an insatiable drive to refine every detail. Greenwood highlighted this culture: "He’s very open to challenge. 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 our opposition." Momentum is firmly on Manchester City’s side. The team has developed multiple solutions for a wide range of problems, eliminating the previous perception that a single poor result could expose a mental fragility. The new challenge is to maintain these 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 watching those games and not being part of them." These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season chatter. How will City handle the increased demands of a congested schedule? Can they sustain a three‑game‑a‑week rhythm without losing intensity?
Does the squad have sufficient 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.
The club has spent a decade searching for the formula to become a consistent WSL champion. Today, they are equipped with a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, a captain who leads by example, and star players like Bunny Shaw – the PFA Player of the Year – who have already started the season strongly. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, Manchester City’s determination to win appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; the hard work they have invested ensures they are not merely winners but true champions in the making. As the season unfolds, the question is no longer whether they can win individual matches, but whether they can sustain the champion mindset throughout the campaign and beyond. Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6.30 pm (kick‑off at 7 pm).