Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during pre‑season. She remarked, “A true champion is someone who goes out and wins again. A winner might achieve a one‑off triumph, but a champion repeats that success over and over.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a fundamental difference between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting championship pedigree.
To become a champion, a team must consistently back up each achievement, turning isolated successes into a sustained pattern of excellence. After the first two rounds of fixtures, only one club 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 have already positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the momentum and treating the opening phase of the race like seasoned professionals. In doing so, they have left their Manchester rivals in the dust.
Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends together to form a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” In a conversation at the club’s training base, before any ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time around. “Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have taken a complacent approach,” she said, “but that’s not who I am.” “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood continued. “This summer I had complete freedom – no training schedule, no travel commitments – and that reset left me feeling incredibly fresh.
I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” The summer break brought several personal milestones for Greenwood, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack. She recounted how she almost cancelled the evening’s plans on the day of the proposal, not knowing what was about to happen.
“If I’m being honest, I tried to cancel on the day,” she laughed. “I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack had already paid a hefty deposit for the restaurant. He kept it low‑key, didn’t give anything away, and the surprise was perfect.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the off‑season as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – a mental ledger of personal standards and team expectations that never fully shuts down. It’s akin to an endless homework assignment that follows you wherever you go.
"I’m not the type to completely switch off; I’m thinking about the game most of the time," she admitted. "I reflect a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. I’m fortunate to have a close‑knit dressing room where we can speak openly.
I’m not the only one making big decisions – it’s a shared responsibility." Looking back at last season should evoke fond memories for City supporters. The team dominated the league, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first title in a decade.
Their football was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention was evident throughout the squad, from player to player and match to match. Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns City displayed.
Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the side usually managed to secure the three points. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained, "We get asked a lot about pressure, 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 gave us a safety net.
Our mantra remains: we always find a way." City now possess an edge – a brand of resilience that seemed missing in previous title bids, despite coming close. The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, Jeglertz introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Greenwood noted that the manager’s approach is "never being satisfied," a relentless drive to improve every detail. "He’s very open to challenge," she added.
"He invites us to question him and each other. The league is fiercely competitive, and many teams have strengthened over the summer.
We remind one another that we’re winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top. At the same time, we have huge respect for the quality of opposition we face." Manchester City carry momentum into the new season, having developed multiple solutions for a variety of tactical problems. The days when their mental toughness was doubted after an isolated slip are long gone. The current challenge is to maintain those high standards across all competitions, including the demanding European schedule.
"I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room. "It’s hard to sit on the couch and watch those games when you want to be out there playing." These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season chatter. How will City handle 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," Greenwood said. "We cannot waste the opportunity we’ve been given." City have spent a decade searching for the formula to become consistent WSL champions.
Today, they are equipped with everything required to stay there: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw – the PFA Player of the Year – already off to a flying start. In a league where consistency has already hampered their main rivals, Manchester City’s resolve 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 recognised as true champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless determination throughout the season.