Women’s Super League: Manchester City must act like champions as WSL rivals grow stronger

City were crowned champions with a game to spare and a six-point gap to second-placed Chelsea last season.

It ended Chelsea’s six-year dominance and was City’s first major trophy under manager Andree Jeglertz in his debut campaign in England.

No Champions League football, a squad stacked with quality and the ability to keep key players fit proved vital – but what did the players learn?

“How to become champions,” captain Alex Greenwood told BBC Sport.

“We had come very, very close to doing it in previous years but just couldn’t get over the line. Last season, a lot came together.”

There will be new challenges this season as City return to European football meaning a busier fixture schedule.

The squad will be tested more, though they were boosted by top-scorer Khadija Shaw’s decision to sign a new contract, avoiding a potential switch to Chelsea.

The arrivals of England duo Mead and Charles has added depth but City lost Brazilian forward Kerolin to Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Spain full-back Ona Batlle and England midfielder Georgia Stanway have joined Arsenal, London City Lionesses have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Tottenham have improved their frontline with the additions of Kirsty Hanson and Shekiera Martinez.

But Greenwood is not fazed by others and says the message to her team-mates remains the same, though they need to keep improving.

“Continuity is important, culture is important and the language that you use is important. When you hear the same thing often, it becomes a norm,” she added.

“You act like a champion and perform like one. We all locked into that last year and were fully committed.

“This season, I’m not going to say ‘do the same again’ because I don’t think that entitles you to win the league. People improve, teams improve and we will improve.

“We will have to change things slightly and be better but continue to do the things that we did really well last season. That would be my message… and to enjoy it.”