Manchester City head coach Andrée Jeglertz delivered a split update on two England internationals ahead of this weekend’s game against Brighton: Alex Greenwood is back on the grass, Grace Clinton is not. After opening the season with a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, City badly need rhythm and defensive calm. Greenwood’s return to full sessions offers exactly that. Clinton, a deadline-day arrival in a cross-city move, will take longer.
Both players were part of England’s Euro 2025-winning squad and missed last week’s trip to Kingsmeadow. Speaking at his press conference, Jeglertz said Greenwood had rejoined training with the squad and is edging toward selection. On Clinton, he was clear: progress, yes; minutes, not yet. The message was measured—no rushing a key midfield signing, no gambling on fitness for a single game in September.
Greenwood boosts structure; City seek a reset after Chelsea
City’s opening day told a familiar early-season story: decent control in spells but not enough authority without a natural organizer at the back. Greenwood is that organizer. Left-footed, calm under pressure, and reliable in duels, she anchors the build-up and sets the line. Even if she doesn’t start, her presence in training this week should lift the unit around her and sharpen communication.
Why does it matter so much? Chelsea’s press pinned City into hurried passes, and the back line lacked the usual angles out of pressure. Greenwood changes that geometry. She can switch play early, step into midfield to break pressure, and manage counters with better positioning. If she’s deemed fit enough to feature—even for part of the game—City gain a stabilizer and a voice.
Jeglertz also has to weigh timing. Rush a returning defender and you risk losing her again. Hold her back and you accept a touch more risk against a Brighton side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa in their opener and will be organized without the ball. The medical and performance staff will drive that call, but the hint was positive: Greenwood has cleared the key hurdle—returning to full training.
Selection-wise, City’s choices at center-back and full-back flow from Greenwood’s status. With her, the team can push the full-backs higher and be braver with their press. Without her, expect tighter distances, more conservative positioning, and an emphasis on second balls. Either way, City need cleaner possession in the middle third and better protection against direct transitions.
Clinton’s delayed debut; Brighton’s test and the bigger picture
Clinton’s situation is the opposite. The midfielder joined on deadline day in a cross-Manchester switch that also saw Jess Park head the other way. While Park has already featured for her new club, Clinton’s introduction will wait. Jeglertz described her recovery as moving slowly. That suggests the plan is to build her up carefully rather than drop her straight into league intensity.
What will City be missing without her? Clinton offers energy between the lines, quick combinations, and a knack for arriving late in the box. She fits as a high-tempo No. 8 who can press from the front and link with the wide players. In a team that wants to shift opponents side to side, her timing and movement can unlock compact blocks. For now, those patterns will be rehearsed in training without the pressure of immediate game minutes.
City’s midfield still has enough to control the game if the structure behind it is right. Expect a focus on vertical runs from wide areas and quick wall-passes to crack Brighton’s first line. The opponent won’t make it easy. Brighton come off a clean sheet and will be content to frustrate and counter. They’ll sit in, deny space between lines, and look to hit quickly when City overcommit.
Brighton’s plan puts the spotlight on set pieces and rest defense. With Greenwood available—even for a portion—City can improve delivery, marking, and second-phase control. Without Clinton, City may lean more on wide overloads and cut-backs rather than central combination play in the final third.
Key questions before kickoff:
- Does Greenwood start or come off the bench? A late cameo could manage risk while giving City leadership during game-defining minutes.
- Who carries the progressive passing load if Greenwood is eased in? The pivot will need to drop in and help break the press.
- How do City replace Clinton’s off-ball running? Expect an extra runner from wide or a deeper forward drop to create space for a late midfielder.
None of this changes the bottom line: after losing to Chelsea, City need their first win to steady the mood. The schedule is long, but early points shape the table and buy patience for new ideas. Greenwood’s near-term return is the first step. Clinton’s debut will follow when the medical staff say go. The club won’t rush a player signed to be a core piece, not a quick fix.
For City supporters, this weekend is less about sparkle and more about control—cleaner exits from the back, smarter spacing in midfield, and sharper chances created from wide areas. If Greenwood gets minutes, confidence in those areas should rise. If Clinton sits out as expected, her time will come. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and City know they’ll need both England internationals fit and firing to chase the top spots in the Women's Super League.
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