Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a message first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. She warned that a true champion is defined by repeated triumphs, not a single flash of success. "A genuine champion keeps winning over and over again, whereas a winner might only achieve a one‑off result," Greenwood said.
This perspective underscores the distinction she draws between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting championship pedigree. The team’s opening two fixtures of the new campaign have already produced back‑to‑back victories – a feat no other side has managed so far this season. This early dominance illustrates Greenwood’s belief that becoming a champion is a continuous process, one that requires the squad to consistently validate past achievements rather than rest on them. In fact, City are the sole club sitting on a perfect points tally after the first two rounds, a rarity not seen in the league since 2015.
Their strong start has positioned them as the team to beat, taking the initiative in the title race with the professionalism of seasoned champions and leaving their Manchester rivals far behind. Under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz, Greenwood has emerged as a model of reliability. The beauty of Manchester City’s side lies in how each individual component blends seamlessly into a cohesive whole, unified by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she intends to approach the season with a fresh mindset.
She rejected any notion that being defending champions would make things easier, insisting that the title brings no complacency. "I needed a mental switch‑off," Greenwood admitted. "During the summer I had complete freedom – no training schedule, no obligations – and that gave me a sense of renewal.
I can’t recall the last time I had such an extended break, and it was incredibly refreshing." Her time off was not only about rest; it also marked a personal milestone. Greenwood became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment that almost slipped away when she tried to cancel their plans on the night of the proposal. "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 reveal anything, and it turned out to be amazing," she recalled with a smile.
Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset". As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, feeling as if she always has "tabs open" and never fully disconnects from the high standards she sets for herself and the team. "I’m not the type of person who can shut everything off; I’m thinking about the game most of the time.
I needed that break because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch. Fortunately, our dressing‑room environment is close‑knit and open, so I’m not the only one making big decisions," she explained. Reflecting on last season brings back vivid memories of dominance. City seized the WSL lead as early as November and secured their first league title in a decade, playing a brand of football that felt freer and more inventive under Jeglertz’s philosophy.
The squad reinvented itself game after game, with each player adapting to new tactical demands. Opponents often entered matches uncertain of what City would present, unable to predict the ever‑shifting patterns of play.
Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood said, "People ask me about pressure a lot, especially after some of the results we had last season.
We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control of most situations. That control helped us prepare and gave us a safety net. Our mantra remains: we always find a way." This mindset has cultivated a subtle yet potent edge.
The manager’s tweaks have produced significant outcomes without a wholesale overhaul. Jeglertz’s approach, described by Greenwood as "never being satisfied," drives an obsessive attention to detail.
"He welcomes challenges," Greenwood added. "He wants us to question him and each other. The league is incredibly competitive; teams have strengthened massively this summer, and that excites me. We constantly remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top.
Yet we have immense respect for the quality of the opposition we face." City’s momentum appears unstoppable. They have devised multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the days when their mental resilience was doubted after an isolated slip are now behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, especially as they re‑enter European contests.
"I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having watched last season’s Champions League from her living room rather than being on the field. "It’s tough watching those matches and not being part of them." These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season speculation.
The questions now are: How will City manage the increased workload? Can they adapt to a relentless schedule of three games a week?
Does the squad possess sufficient depth and quality to compete on every front? Greenwood believes the experience of missing out last year can be turned into an advantage. "We cannot waste this opportunity," she asserted. "We weren’t there last season, so we must use that feeling to propel us forward." Manchester City have spent a decade searching for the formula that transforms a WSL contender into a consistent champion.
Today, they have the resources to sustain that success: 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 capable captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw—already the PFA Player of the Year—leading the attack. In a league where consistency has already begun to hamper their biggest rivals, City’s resolve to win appears stronger than ever. They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for merely being winners. Their aim is to be recognized unequivocally as champions.
Watch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with kick‑off at 7 p.m. (broadcast from 6.30 p.m.).