Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the preseason. She remarked, "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 the team’s mindset as they embark on a new campaign.
Starting the season with two consecutive victories—making them the sole side to achieve back‑to‑back wins at this stage—underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a measurable gap between merely winning a match and establishing a legacy of championship‑level consistency. To be crowned champions, a club must repeatedly validate its achievements, turning isolated successes into a continuous narrative of excellence. Only one club currently sits atop the table with a perfect points tally after the opening two rounds, a scenario not seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The defending champions have already positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the early momentum and treating the opening leg of the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. In doing so, they have left their Manchester rivals in the dust, reinforcing the notion that they are the team to beat.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The beauty of this Manchester City outfit lies in how every individual component blends to create a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: "We always find a way." This philosophy was evident during a casual conversation at the club’s training base, where the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her approach to the season would be framed differently this time around. "Because you are title holders, I surmise, rather presumptuously?
Not the case," she laughed, before adding, "I needed a mental switch‑off. 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 off, so I definitely enjoyed it." Her words highlight the importance of rest and mental reset for a player who constantly juggles the pressures of leadership both on and off the pitch. The summer break also brought personal milestones.
Greenwood became engaged to her long‑term partner, Jack, after a memorable proposal night that almost didn’t happen. "If I’m being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans," she recalled with a smile.
"I wasn’t in the mood to go out. But Jack had paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept it cool, and it turned out amazing." This personal joy, she says, contributed to the sense of a "necessary reset" that she needed after a demanding season. As captain, Greenwood feels the weight of constant responsibility.
She described her role as having "tabs open" at all times, never fully able to disconnect from the high standards she sets for herself and the team. "I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off, I’m on the majority 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," she explained. Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for Greenwood.
City dominated the league, leading the WSL from early November and securing their first title in a decade. The style of play was freer and more inventive, driven by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than being constrained by it.
The squad reinvented itself across matches, with each player contributing to an ever‑evolving tactical blueprint that left opponents uncertain of what to expect. Even when performances were not spectacular, the team generally delivered the required results. Greenwood noted, "I get asked a lot about pressure, and certain results made for pressure moments last season.
We don’t enjoy losing. But in reality, we were in control.
That helps with your preparation, with everything really. We had setbacks but we also had a safety net. That is what we do, always find a way." This season, City possess a new edge—a subtle brand of resilience that was missing in previous title bids.
The manager has introduced nuanced adjustments that have yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as "never being satisfied," a relentless drive to refine every detail. Greenwood added, "He’s very open to challenge.
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 Manchester City’s side.
The squad has cultivated multiple solutions for a variety of tactical problems, moving beyond the days when a single poor result could cast doubt on their mental toughness. The current challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, especially as they aim to make a deeper run in European tournaments.
"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 underscore the ambition to not only dominate domestically but also to compete at the highest level in Europe. These considerations extend far beyond preseason speculation.
Questions arise about how City will manage the increased workload, whether they can sustain a three‑game‑a‑week rhythm, and if the squad depth is sufficient to challenge on every front. Greenwood summed up the mindset: "We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage.
We cannot waste our opportunity." After a decade of striving to unlock the formula for WSL supremacy, City now have the tools to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, an influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, a capable captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw—who was named PFA Player of the Year and is already off to a flying start. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, Manchester City’s determination to win appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for mere winners.
Their objective is clear: to be recognized as champions, not just as a team that occasionally lifts a trophy. Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6:30 pm (kick‑off at 7 pm).