Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. 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 team’s approach as they launch the new campaign with consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far this season. Such a start reinforces Greenwood’s belief that true greatness is earned through relentless consistency rather than isolated triumphs. At the moment, City sit atop the table with a perfect points tally after the first two rounds of fixtures, a scenario that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. Their early dominance signals that they are the benchmark for the rest of the league, carrying the torch from last season’s title and tackling the opening phase of the race with the poise of seasoned professionals.
In doing so, they have left their Manchester rivals in the dust and set a high bar for anyone hoping to challenge them. Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz, and the beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component contributes to a cohesive whole. The guiding principle that binds them is simple yet powerful: "We always find a way." In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would differ from the usual title‑defence mentality. She dismissed the notion that being reigning champions automatically grants an easy path, insisting instead on a mental reset.
"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 period of rest proved transformative for her, not only on the pitch but also in her personal life. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a milestone that added a layer of joy to her summer.
She recounted the night of the proposal with humour, noting that she initially tried to cancel their plans, only for Jack to keep the surprise under wraps and secure a hefty restaurant deposit. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset".
As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never truly able to switch off from the high standards she sets for herself and the team. She likened it to an endless homework assignment, a perpetual need to reflect and improve. "I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off," she admitted. "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." Reflecting on last season, Greenwood highlighted the dominance City displayed as they seized the WSL title – their first in a decade – and led the league from early November. Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the team played with freedom and creativity, unburdened by rigid expectations.
The squad reinvented itself game after game, with each player adapting to evolving tactical demands. Opponents often entered matches unsure of what to expect, aware that City’s patterns of play could shift at a moment’s notice. Even on days when performances were not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the necessary results. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that the moments of high stakes from the previous campaign had actually helped the side grow.
"We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control," she explained. "That helps with preparation.
We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That is what we do – always find a way." City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title races.
The manager’s subtle adjustments have yielded significant outcomes, and Jeglertz’s relentless pursuit of perfection ensures that complacency never sets in. Greenwood praised this culture of challenge, saying, "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." Momentum is firmly on City’s side, and they have cultivated multiple solutions for the various problems that arise during a season.
The days when a single poor result would cast doubt on their mental toughness are behind them. The current challenge is to sustain these high standards across all competitions, especially as they embark on a demanding European campaign. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League fixtures from her living room rather than participating on the field. The question now is whether City can manage the intensified schedule of three games per week and whether the squad depth is sufficient to compete on every front.
"We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage," Greenwood asserted. "We cannot waste our 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 roster filled with talent ready for top‑flight football, a captain who embodies leadership, and star players like Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already making an impact.
In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, Manchester City’s determination to win appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; the work they have put in aims to cement their status as champions, not merely winners. Their early season form suggests they are well‑positioned to defend the title and perhaps set new standards for dominance in women’s football.
Watch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6:30 pm (kick‑off 7:00 pm).