Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, and captain Alex Greenwood made that clear during the pre‑season. She said, “A true champion is someone who goes out and wins again. A winner might be a one‑off, but a champion does it repeatedly.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – the only side to do so so far – underlines Greenwood’s belief that there is a fundamental difference between simply winning a match and establishing a lasting champion’s pedigree. Becoming a champion, she argues, is a process that can only be completed by consistently backing up past achievements with fresh successes.
Only one team currently sits on maximum points after the first two rounds of this season’s Women’s Super League, a feat that has not been seen since 2015. The defending champions appear poised to be the benchmark, seizing the initiative and approaching the early stages of the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. In doing so, they have left the rest of Manchester, particularly the city’s traditional rivals, 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 each individual component blends seamlessly into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” Speaking at the club’s training base before the first ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time around. “Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have taken a presumptuous stance,” she said, “but that’s not the case.” “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood continued. “This summer I had freedom, no strict schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now.
I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season brought several personal milestones, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack. She recounted how she almost tried to cancel their celebration plans on the night of the proposal, only to be persuaded by Jack’s calm confidence and a hefty restaurant deposit.
“I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack kept it low‑key and it turned out to be amazing,” she smiled. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never fully switching off from the high standards she sets for herself and the team.
“It’s like a never‑ending homework assignment,” she said. “I’m not the type to completely shut down; I’m on most of the time, reflecting a lot. I needed this pause because a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. Fortunately, we have a close‑knit dressing‑room where everyone feels comfortable speaking up.
I’m not the only one who makes big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke pleasant memories for City fans. The team dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and eventually clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than feeling constrained 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 City’s ever‑evolving patterns. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the squad almost always secured the desired result.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results from the previous season created moments of tension. “We don’t enjoy losing,” she said, “but in reality we were in control.
That control helps us prepare for everything. 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 grit that seemed missing in earlier title runs despite coming close. The changes were subtle rather than radical.
“The manager made small adjustments that yielded big outcomes,” Greenwood noted. Jeglertz describes this approach as a relentless pursuit of improvement, an insatiable desire to fine‑tune 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 fiercely competitive league. Teams have strengthened a lot over the summer, and I love that.
We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. At the same time, we have huge respect for the quality of the opposition we face.” Manchester City have momentum on their side and have devised multiple solutions for most problems that arise. The days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip‑up are behind them. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across every competition, especially as they venture deeper into European contests.
“I live for European nights,” Greenwood said, 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 handle the increased workload?
Can they adapt to a relentless schedule of three games per 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,” Greenwood asserted. “We cannot waste this opportunity.” The club has spent a decade searching for the formula to become a consistent WSL champion.
Today, they have almost everything required to stay at the summit: a new £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a influx 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 Women's Super League season where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder. After working so hard to become winners, they now aim to be recognised as true champions.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with kickoff at 7 p.m. (broadcast from 6.30 p.m.).