Manchester City have announced their intentions with unsettling confidence, a sentiment first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. 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 narrative surrounding the club's early season form. Starting the campaign with two consecutive victories—something no other side has managed so far—underscores Greenwood's belief that a champion is forged through relentless consistency rather than isolated triumphs.
The fact that City sit alone atop the table after the opening two rounds marks the first time this has occurred since 2015, signalling that the defending WSL champions are already positioning themselves as the benchmark for the rest of the league. Their early dominance has left their Manchester rivals in the dust and set a tone of professional intensity for the season ahead. Greenwood herself has become a model of steadiness under manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for this season would be framed differently, rejecting any complacent attitude that might come from being title‑holders.
"I needed a mental switch‑off," she 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 break allowed her to recharge both physically and mentally, an essential reset after the pressures of a title‑winning campaign. Her personal life also saw a major milestone.
Greenwood became engaged to long‑term partner Jack over the summer, a moment she describes with humour. "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 much away, and it turned out to be amazing." This anecdote illustrates how she balances the high‑stakes world of professional football with moments of ordinary joy. Beyond the romance, Greenwood characterised the summer as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles numerous responsibilities, keeping multiple "tabs open" in her mind and never fully switching off from the expectations she sets for herself and her teammates.
"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 the previous season brings back memories of dominance. City claimed the WSL title early in November and secured their first championship in a decade, playing a brand of football that felt freer and more inventive under Jeglertz's guidance.
The team reinvented itself continuously, with each player and each match offering fresh tactical twists that left opponents uncertain about what to expect. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the squad still managed to secure the desired result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results from last season created moments of tension, but the team always felt in control. "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," she said. City now possess a subtle yet potent edge—a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title bids.
Jeglertz has made incremental adjustments that have produced significant outcomes. He describes his philosophy as "never being satisfied," a relentless pursuit of improvement down to the smallest 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." The momentum is firmly on Manchester City's side. The squad has developed multiple solutions for a wide range of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are largely behind them.
The new challenge lies in maintaining those high standards across all competitions, especially as they re‑enter European contests. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, referencing the frustration of watching last season's Champions League from her living room rather than being on the pitch. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" This yearning highlights the club's ambition to translate domestic success into continental glory. Looking ahead, several questions arise: Can City handle the increased workload of three games a week?
Does the squad have sufficient depth to compete on every front? Greenwood believes the answer lies in using last year's near‑misses as motivation. "We weren't there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage. We cannot waste our opportunity," she asserted.
Over the past decade, City have invested heavily to unlock the formula for sustained WSL success—a £10 million training complex, an inspiring manager with clear targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who embodies leadership. Adding to that, the presence of PFA Player of the Year Bunny Shaw provides an extra spark. In a league where consistency has already hampered their main challengers, Manchester City's resolve 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 aim is to be recognised as true champions, a status they intend to defend with vigor throughout the season.