The Man City defender has established herself as one of the best centre-backs in the world, and yet she has fallen out of Sarina Wiegman's line up
It’s remarkable to think that just five years ago, Lionesses star Alex Greenwood wasn’t even playing in the position that she is, today, one of the best players in the world in. Her entry into GOAL’s ‘World-Class Club’ this week was the culmination of several seasons of absolute top quality consistency in a role that has really helped her reach new levels.
When England reached just a second Women’s World Cup semi-final in 2019, Greenwood was rotating at left-back with Demi Stokes, starting four matches to her team-mate’s three as the Lionesses finished fourth. When they went a round further last summer, reaching the final in Australia, Greenwood was this time an ever-present at centre-back. For some, she was the tournament’s best player. Though Aitana Bonmati, the star of Spain’s triumph, got that accolade, the technically-gifted defender playing for her opponent in that final was certainly up there, too.
Those performances Down Under were no flash in the pan, either. They were representative of a level that Greenwood has been playing at for a while now, one which has put her firmly in the conversation as one of the very best centre-backs in the game – something that she would never have envisaged five years ago.
Getty ImagesWorthwhile change
It was shortly after the 2019 World Cup that Greenwood’s path changed. Then 25 years old, she was signed by Lyon, the dominant force in women’s football in Europe, as they looked for someone to play at left-back. However, in her season in France, which would result in four trophies – including a Champions League title – the England international also showed glimpses in a more central role.
Still, when her brief foray abroad came to an end 12 months later and she returned home to join Manchester City, all the talk was about her competing with Stokes for a place in the club’s XI, just as she was for her country. "It's a healthy competition," Greenwood herself even said at the time. “We really push each other to our limit. We improve each other every year. If we can make each other better, it only makes the team better.”
AdvertisementGetty ImagesHeartbreaking disappointment
It was three games into the 2020-21 Women’s Super League season that Greenwood started to appear more centrally. Having moved into the heart of defence midway through the second half of Man City’s second outing of the campaign, she was there from the off the following week and has barely relinquished that berth since.
The football that Greenwood played that year, as City finished just two points behind Chelsea in the title race, was sensational, the best of her career to date by far. Yet, somehow, despite also boasting versatility useful for an 18-player squad, she was snubbed by Hege Riise when she selected the players for Great Britain’s women’s football team at the Olympics that summer.
“To say I was heartbroken initially would be an understatement, it was complete heartbreak, I couldn’t understand why,” Greenwood told . “It wasn’t that I was convinced I was going to Japan – that would be unprofessional – but after the season I’d had, lots of honest people around me said they thought I’d had one of my best seasons as a professional, and I’m usually really hard on myself.
“I had my moment when I was upset, angry and disappointed, and I could have done one of two things. I could have let it run away with me, stayed disappointed, and dwelled on it, or I could react to it and say, ‘Okay, I’m going to prove you wrong and I’m going to work so, so hard’, so now it’s honestly only a positive thing for me.”
Getty ImagesWaiting for her chance
That’s because what has happened in the three years since for Greenwood has been huge. She has continued to excel for City and has got her rewards with England – though not immediately. Throughout an even better season in 2021-22, Greenwood partnered Millie Bright in the centre of defence when away with the Lionesses, as Leah Williamson stepped into a midfield role. She looked sure to maintain that place as a home European Championships approached, too.
However, a late switch by Sarina Wiegman saw Williamson drop back in alongside Bright and Greenwood occupied the role of a substitute, rather than the anticipated one of a star, as England’s women won a first major tournament in a dramatic final at Wembley.
“With the Euros situation, I accepted my role,” she said last summer, ahead of the World Cup. “I knew I had to be the best team-mate for the girls and that group of girls was truly special in every way. I can’t speak highly enough of the group. A year later, I’ve played a lot for England since then, started a lot of games and I’m probably at the experienced end of the team now. So, again, whatever my role is again this summer, I’ll do it the best I can.”
Getty ImagesTime to shine
Down Under, that role was finally one which gave her some spotlight on a global stage and showed everyone just why Greenwood is rated so highly by those who watch the WSL every week. “The world is finally getting to appreciate the quality she has got,” former England midfielder Lucy Staniforth told , while Lucy Bronze told reporters in the build-up to the tournament: “Alex is technically probably one of the best centre-halves in the world.”
That much was certainly apparent as England reached the Women’s World Cup final for the first time. No one completed more passes than Greenwood at that tournament and her wicked left foot, deadly from set-pieces or with the vast passing range she boasts, helped make her the joint-second most creative player too, despite her position in a back three.