Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during pre‑season. She remarked, “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.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a stark divide between simply winning a match and establishing a lasting champion’s pedigree. To become a champion, a team must repeatedly back up its achievements, turning isolated success into a sustained process.
After the opening two rounds of fixtures, only one club 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 appear to be the team to beat, seizing the momentum early and approaching the first leg of the race with the composure of seasoned professionals.
In doing so, they have left the red half of Manchester trailing far behind. Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends together to create a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” During a conversation at City’s training base, before any ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time. She dismissed the notion that being title‑holders automatically grants an easy path, insisting that the team must earn every point anew.
“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 recall the last time I got that long a break, so I definitely enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season brought several personal milestones, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack. In a candid moment, she recalled almost canceling their celebration plans on the day of the proposal.
“If I’m being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans,” Greenwood laughed. “I wasn’t in the mood to go out. But Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant. He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly carries the weight of leadership, with “tabs open” that prevent her from fully disconnecting from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad.
It’s akin to an endless homework assignment that never truly ends. “I’m not the kind of person to turn everything off,” she admitted.
“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 authority to make big calls.” Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately clinching their first title in a decade. The football was freer, more inventive – guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by it. Reinvention was evident across the pitch, from player to player and match to match.
Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns City displayed. Even on nights when the performance seemed modest, the team usually managed to secure the three points.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain results from the previous campaign created high‑stakes moments. “We don’t enjoy losing,” she said, “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’s what we do – we always find a way.” City now possess an edge – a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title runs despite coming close. The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes this approach as “never being satisfied,” an unquenchable 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 now ride a wave of momentum. They have devised multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are long gone. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across every competition, especially with the added demands of European fixtures. “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?” These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City manage the increased workload? Can they adapt to a rhythm of three games a week? 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,” she asserted. “We cannot waste our opportunity.” After a decade of chasing the secret to becoming a true WSL powerhouse, City now possess everything needed to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the brilliance of 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 determination to win appears more resolute than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for merely being winners. Their goal is to be recognized as champions, season after season. Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, kick‑off at 7 pm (broadcast from 6:30 pm).