Manchester City return to training as Manuel Pellegrini looks for right blend in order to challenge Chelsea for Premier League title

Samir Nasri looked like he couldn't wait to get back into the... kitchen as he made a smoothie during his first day back at Manchester City's training ground.

Nasri was joined by the likes of Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy and club captain Vincent Kompany as last season's runners up begun preparations for the new season. 

Kompany has admitted Manchester City made it too easy for Chelsea to claim the Barclays Premier League title last season.

Samir Nasri is all smiles as he makes a smoothie from the array of fruit on offer at Manchester City's training ground

Samir Nasri is all smiles as he makes a smoothie from the array of fruit on offer at Manchester City's training ground

The Frenchman waits for the blending machine after selecting the fruit he wanted to consume after returning to training

The Frenchman waits for the blending machine after selecting the fruit he wanted to consume after returning to training

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany goes for a run alongside his team-mates including Gael Clichy and Jesus Navas 

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany goes for a run alongside his team-mates including Gael Clichy and Jesus Navas 

Kompany, pictured with team-mate Fernando, has admitted he was disappointed by his side's failure to win the Premier League title 

Kompany, pictured with team-mate Fernando, has admitted he was disappointed by his side's failure to win the Premier League title 

The Blues enjoyed a relative stroll to glory as they finished eight points ahead of nearest rivals City at the top of the table.

As they returned for pre-season on Tuesday, Kompany and his team-mates had not forgotten the ease with which Chelsea dethroned them, and work to ensure there is no repeat this time around is now starting in earnest.

The Belgium international told Sky Sports: 'It was a disappointment for City, it was a disappointment for every single player at the club.

'Obviously Kun [Sergio Aguero] and Joe Hart got some rewards, which still gave us a good feeling as well, but it shows what the club wants to achieve because we finished second, so there's a lot of other clubs behind us still.

'But Chelsea kind of ran away with it and it was too early, too easy, and we can't afford that any more this season.

'We have been competitive for the past four or five years now, so that won't change. But we lost the league last year - and it happens. You can't win every single year, the same as Chelsea two years ago - they didn't win the league, we did.

'But you want it to be a tight race and whenever we won it, it was always a tight race, so we'd like to be in there at least to the end, and if we have a really good season, we can maybe change the roles a little bit and just get to the end in a confident manner.'

With the summer transfer market now in full swing, City, like their competitors, will be hoping to make key additions to strengthen a squad already packed with talent.

They have been persistently linked with Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, Juventus star Paul Pogba and Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne among others, and while Kompany is confident they will reinforce Manuel Pellegrini's armoury, he knows competition will be stiff.

Asked about the transfer market, he said: 'It's the key to the success of any top club.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was back on the training field after committing his future to the club despite interest from Inter

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was back on the training field after committing his future to the club despite interest from Inter

Former Arsenal left back Gael Clichy sports an unkempt beard during his first day back from the summer break

Former Arsenal left back Gael Clichy sports an unkempt beard during his first day back from the summer break

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini talks tactics with his coaching staff ahead of the new Premier League season 

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini talks tactics with his coaching staff ahead of the new Premier League season 

'It's maybe not always the amount of players that come, but I think that every top club in the world will be looking to add maybe two or three quality players to make the team just that little bit stronger, and if you don't do it, then you are exposed to other teams becoming stronger.

'It's just nothing more than usual for us in the transfer window, and I'm hoping and confident that we will make the right signings.

'I'm not too much into the specifics, but there are not so many top players and there are a few clubs who will probably be after the same players.

'I think we have an attractive proposition here - we obviously have the facilities, we have the increased capacity of the stadium and everything we want to achieve in the future. But some clubs have got the history.

'Players choose different things at times. You just can't guess.'

Kompany takes off his training shirt as he makes his way into the dressing room at Manchester City's training ground

Kompany takes off his training shirt as he makes his way into the dressing room at Manchester City's training ground

Fernando, Richard Wright and Navas wait in the dressing room ahead of the first full training session back at the club

Fernando, Richard Wright and Navas wait in the dressing room ahead of the first full training session back at the club

Manchester City's Willy Caballero and Wright pose for a picture as they hold down the goalkeepers' union in Joe Hart's absence 

Manchester City's Willy Caballero and Wright pose for a picture as they hold down the goalkeepers' union in Joe Hart's absence 

 

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