Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most rivals, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during the preseason. She said, "A true champion is someone who goes and wins again. A winner might be one‑off.
But a champion does it over and over." By opening the new campaign with two consecutive victories – the only side to do so – Greenwood underscored the gap she sees between merely winning and truly championing. In her view, becoming a champion is a journey that can only be completed by consistently reaffirming past successes. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone on top of the table with a perfect points tally, a feat not achieved since 2015. The reigning WSL champions appear to be the team to beat, seizing the early momentum and approaching the opening phase of the season with the poise of seasoned professionals.
Their rivals from the Manchester red side have already been left trailing in their wake. Greenwood has been a model of steadiness under the guidance of manager Andree Jeglertz. The beauty of this Manchester City outfit lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, bound by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." In a chat at the club’s training base, before the first ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time around.
She dismissed the notion that title‑defence automatically grants an easy path, insisting that the team must earn every point anew. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she admitted. "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 in terms of rest but also personally. She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a milestone that unfolded despite her initial attempts to dodge the evening’s plans.
"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 paid a heavy deposit on the restaurant. He kept it low‑key, didn’t give much away, and it turned out to be amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer 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 squad. She likened it to an endless homework assignment that demands constant attention.
"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," Greenwood explained.
This openness and shared leadership have been pivotal in fostering a resilient team culture. Looking back at last season evokes fond memories. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately securing their first title in a decade. Their football was freer, more inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by it.
Reinvention occurred across the pitch, with each player and each match offering fresh tactical twists. Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, never quite able to predict the ever‑evolving patterns of City’s play. Even on days when the performance seemed ordinary, the team usually managed to secure the desired result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood said, "I get asked a lot about pressure, and certain results made for pressure moments last season.
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." The current squad now possesses a brand of tenacity that felt missing in previous title bids. The manager has not overhauled the side but has introduced subtle adjustments that have yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as "never being satisfied", an insatiable drive to fine‑tune every detail. "He’s very open to challenge," Greenwood added.
"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." This mutual respect fuels City’s ambition while keeping them grounded. Momentum now favours Manchester City.
They have cultivated multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are largely behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining those high standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, referring to the frustration of watching last season’s Champions League from her living room.
"Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" These reflections hint at the broader questions the club must answer: How will City handle the increased workload? Can they sustain a three‑game‑a‑week rhythm? Does the squad have enough depth to compete on all fronts?
"We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage. We cannot waste our opportunity," Greenwood asserted. After a decade of striving to crack the formula for WSL success, City now possess the ingredients to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, a flood of WSL‑ready talent, a superb captain, and the brilliance of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who is already off to a flying start. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognised as champions, season after season, and to cement their place at the top of women’s football.