Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. She warned, "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 triumph and sustained excellence underpins the team's mindset as they embark on the new campaign.
Starting the season with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – reinforces Greenwood's belief that there is a clear line separating a simple winner from a genuine champion. Achieving champion status is not a one‑time event; it is a continuous process that demands the team consistently back up every success with another.
After the first two rounds of matches, City sit alone at the summit of the table with a perfect points tally, a situation not seen 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 rear‑view mirror.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends to form a cohesive whole, unified by a simple yet powerful mantra: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club's training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her approach to the upcoming season would be framed differently this time around.
She dismissed any notion that holding the title would make them complacent. "I needed a mental switch‑off," Greenwood 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 off, so I definitely enjoyed it." The extended break proved transformative for Greenwood not only professionally but also personally. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a milestone she almost missed due to a last‑minute change of plans on the evening of the proposal. "If I'm being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans," she 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 summer as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly juggles numerous responsibilities, never fully switching off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. It feels like an endless homework assignment, she admitted.
"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 added. Looking back at last season evokes fond memories. City dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first title in a decade.
Their football was freer and more inventive, guided by Jeglertz's philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention occurred across the pitch, with each player and each match offering something new. Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, never quite able to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns.
Even on nights when the performance seemed ordinary, the team usually found a way to secure the result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that certain outcomes from the previous season created moments of tension, but the squad remained in control. "We don't enjoy losing, but we were in control.
That helps with preparation, with everything really. We had setbacks but also a safety net.
That's what we do – always find a way," she said. City now possess a subtle edge, a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title bids. The manager introduced nuanced adjustments that yielded significant results.
Jeglertz describes his approach as "never being satisfied", an insatiable drive to refine every detail. Greenwood praised this attitude, noting that Jeglertz encourages challenges from his players. "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," she said.
Momentum is firmly on City’s side. They have devised multiple solutions for the majority of problems they encounter. The days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single poor result are behind them.
The new challenge is to sustain those high standards across all competitions while also competing in Europe. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season's Champions League games from her living room. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" The question points to broader implications beyond pre‑season: How will City manage the increased workload? Can they adapt to a rhythm 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. We cannot waste our opportunity," Greenwood emphasized.
The club has spent a decade searching for the formula to become a consistent WSL champion. Today they possess the tools: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a pipeline of WSL‑ready talent, 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, Manchester City’s resolve to win appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognized as champions – a status earned through relentless effort, strategic evolution, and an unwavering belief that they will always find a way to succeed.