Manchester City have already begun to carve out an intimidating early lead this season, a sentiment echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. She reminded everyone that "a true champion is someone who goes and wins again. A winner might be a one‑off, but a champion does it repeatedly." Starting the campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s conviction that there is a fundamental difference between simply winning a match and establishing the sustained excellence that defines a champion. The journey to true championship status is a marathon, not a sprint, and it can only be completed by consistently backing up early successes with further triumphs.
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 defending champions appear poised to dominate the title race, seizing the initiative with the professionalism of a side that knows exactly how to manage the first leg of a long competition. Their rivals from the north‑west have already been left trailing in the dust.
Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The beauty of this Manchester City outfit lies in the way every individual component blends together to create a cohesive whole, all driven by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." During a conversation at the club’s training base, before any ball had even been kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she intends to approach this season with a fresh mindset. "Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have been complacent," she said, "but that’s not how I think." "I needed a mental reset," Greenwood continued.
"This summer I had total freedom – no training schedule, no travel, just a break – and it left me feeling rejuvenated. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long period off, and I truly enjoyed it." Her summer hiatus brought more than just rest. Greenwood got engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a milestone that almost didn’t happen because she tried to cancel their plans on the night of the proposal. "Honestly, I tried to back out that evening," she laughed.
"I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack had already put down a hefty deposit on the restaurant. He kept it low‑key, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be perfect." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly has "multiple tabs open" – the weight of personal standards and the expectations of the squad never truly switch off, much like an endless homework assignment.
"I’m not the type to completely shut down," she admitted. "I’m thinking about the team most of the time. I reflect a lot. I needed that downtime because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch.
Luckily, our dressing‑room is close‑knit and open, so we can talk freely. I’m not the only one making big decisions." Reflecting on last season brings back fond memories. City were the dominant force, taking the WSL lead as early as November and eventually clinching their first league title in a decade.
The football was liberated, inventive, and guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention was evident across the entire pitch, from player to player and match to match.
Opponents would brace themselves before facing City, never quite sure what tactical twist or positional shuffle would appear next. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team almost always delivered the required result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained, "People ask me about pressure a lot, especially after certain results last season that created high‑stakes moments.
We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control for most of the campaign. That control helped our 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 a brand of resilience that seemed missing in previous title pursuits. The squad did not need a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that produced significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes the approach as "never being satisfied" – an insatiable drive to refine every detail. "He’s very open to challenge," Greenwood added.
"He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other. The league is fiercely competitive.
Teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love that. We remind each other that we’re winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. But we also have immense respect for the quality of our opposition." Manchester City now ride a wave of momentum. They have cultivated multiple solutions for most problems that arise on the field.
The days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are gone. The new challenge is to sustain these high standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic duties with European commitments. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, referencing her frustration at watching last season’s Champions League matches from her living room.
"It’s tough watching those games and not being on the pitch yourself." These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City manage the increased workload?
Can they adapt to a relentless schedule of three games a 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 said. "We cannot waste this opportunity." After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now have all the ingredients: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the dynamic 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 resolve to win appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being 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 they intend to defend with every match they play.