Manchester City claimed their first Women’s Super League title in ten years last season, completing a domestic double by also lifting the Women’s FA Cup. According to BBC Sport, they finished the campaign with a six-point cushion over Chelsea, ending the London club’s six-year hold on the league. Now, with the new season approaching, City face a more demanding field.
Arsenal have moved quickly in the transfer window, adding Spain full-back Ona Batlle and England midfielder Georgia Stanway to their ranks. Chelsea are expected to push harder after last season’s disappointment. Further down the table, London City Lionesses have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, Tottenham have bolstered their attack with Kirsty Hanson and Shekiera Martinez, and Brighton continue their upward trajectory under manager Dario Vidosic. Nobody is standing still.
City’s Own Arrivals and Departures
City have moved to reinforce their squad, bringing in England internationals Beth Mead and Niamh Charles to add depth. Retaining top-scorer Khadija Shaw on a new contract was a significant moment for the club, with BBC Sport reporting she had been linked with a move to Chelsea. On the other side of the ledger, Brazilian forward Kerolin has departed for Barcelona.
Manager Andree Jeglertz guided City to the double in his debut English season, doing so without European football. That changes in 2026-27. A Champions League campaign adds to the fixture load and will test squad depth across the year.
Greenwood Sets the Tone for the Defence
Captain Alex Greenwood, speaking to BBC Sport, described last season as a year when several things finally aligned after City had come close to the title in previous campaigns without getting over the line. She stressed that simply repeating last season’s performance would not be sufficient. Other teams improve, she told the broadcaster, and City must improve alongside them.
Greenwood was clear that continuity of culture and messaging within the squad had been central to last season’s success, Manchester City Reject Barcelona’s Second Rodri Offer as Fee Gap Persists and that those foundations remain in place. She said the group needed to act and perform like champions, while also making targeted adjustments to stay ahead.
Outside Threats No Longer Limited to the Top Four
BBC Sport notes that investment across the WSL is producing a broader competitive landscape. Clubs that have previously fallen short of the top four are now attracting high-profile signings. The midfield of the table is a more unpredictable environment than it has been.
Greenwood acknowledged the ambition on display from rivals but said her focus stays firmly on City’s own standards rather than monitoring others. She described the WSL as the strongest women’s league in the world and welcomed the influx of talent as a positive development for the competition overall. The bar keeps rising.
Bunny Shaw, whose new contract was among the key stories of City’s pre-season media day, has also spoken publicly about the club’s double-winning campaign ahead of the new season.
This report is based on a single source, bbc.co.uk, and has not been independently verified.
