Man City pitching for success

Manchester City have started their pre-season with a tour of the USA as they target success in the Premier League and Europe next season.

The FA Cup winners play Mexican side Club America on Saturday before a clash with MLS newcomers Vancouver Whitecaps two days later.

The players got the chance to relax and visited the home of the LA Dodgers baseball team, where goalkeeper Joe Hart threw the first pitch in the Dodgers’ MLB match with the San Diego Padres.

With the start of the new season approaching, City and the other top clubs are strengthening, and defender Vincent Kompany believes it will make the Premier League a more exciting competition.

“That’s a good thing and a good thing for the league and I think it’s not something that’s going to affect us too much,” the Belgian international said.

“We are getting stronger as well. One thing we are gaining and we are still going to gain in the future is that we know each other more and more, we’ve played a little bit longer with each other, it’s a different story for us now.”

“And with winning something last season, we have confidence so that’s an advantage we might have on certain clubs who didn’t win anything last season.”

Roberto Mancini’s side have brought in two players so far during the close-season transfer window in Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic.

And Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong believes the team have the right balance to challenge for major honours this term.

“The belief is the main thing,” De Jong said. “The belief has always got to be there. That’s the main thing the focus and the belief. I think this group is a year older again.”

“Most of the group still stay together and we are getting better and better by the day and we also know each other better.”

“Even the new signings can adapt really easily because the group is not so difficult. Everybody is always happy and smiling, so we hope this can be a big part for City and the success we get over the future.”

City kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to promoted Swansea City on August 15.