Manchester City have announced their ambitions 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 distinction between a fleeting victor and a sustained champion underpins everything the club is doing at the moment. Starting the new campaign with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a tangible gap between simply winning a match and building a legacy of repeated success.
To become a champion, a team must consistently back up each triumph with another, turning isolated victories into a continuous narrative of dominance. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone on the league table with a perfect points tally, a situation that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have taken the lead in the title race with the poise of seasoned professionals, leaving their Manchester rivals in the dust and signalling that they intend to be the team to beat this season.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends together to form 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 captain explained that her mindset for the new season will be framed differently – not because they are already champions, but because she wants to avoid complacency. "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 a break, so I definitely enjoyed it." The extended rest period proved transformative for Greenwood, who also celebrated a personal milestone by becoming engaged to her long‑term partner Jack. She recalled the evening of the proposal with a smile, admitting that she initially tried to cancel their plans because she wasn’t in the mood to go out.
Jack, however, had already paid a hefty deposit on a restaurant and kept the surprise under wraps, making the moment unforgettable. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – a metaphor for the endless responsibilities and high standards she holds herself to, both on and off the pitch. She likened the role to a never‑ending homework assignment, noting that she rarely gets a chance to completely switch off. "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," Greenwood explained. This openness within the squad fosters a culture where leadership is shared and decisions are collaborative, a factor that has contributed to the team’s early success. Reflecting on last season, Greenwood reminded everyone of the dominant display City made.
They led the WSL from early November and secured their first league title in a decade, playing a brand of football that felt freer and more inventive under Jeglertz’s philosophy. The team constantly reinvented itself, with each player adapting to new roles and each match presenting fresh tactical puzzles for opponents. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the squad usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results from the previous campaign had heightened expectations, but she emphasized that the team remained in control.
"We don’t enjoy losing. In reality, we were in control, and that helps with preparation.
We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That is what we do – we always find a way," she said. City now possess a subtle yet potent edge, a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title bids. Jeglertz has not overhauled the squad but has introduced minor adjustments that yielded significant outcomes.
Greenwood described the manager’s approach as "never being satisfied," a relentless drive to improve every detail. "He’s very open to challenge," she 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, 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 team has developed 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 these high standards across every competition, 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 matches from her living room. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" Her words highlight the hunger within the squad to compete on the continental stage and not just domestically.
These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season banter. How will City manage the increased workload?
Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week without sacrificing quality? Does the squad have enough depth to compete on all fronts?
"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 chasing the secret to becoming genuine WSL champions, City now have the infrastructure to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who embodies the club’s ethos. Adding to that is the presence of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, whose early season form promises to be a game‑changer. In a league where consistency has already hampered the biggest challengers, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever.
They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for merely being winners. Their aim is to be recognised as true champions – a status earned through relentless effort, adaptability, and an unshakeable belief that they will always find a way to succeed. Watch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6:30 pm (kick‑off at 7 pm).