Nasri praises Sheikh Mansour influence on title triumph

Alam Khan - Reporter 09:31 12/05/2014
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  • All smiles: Samir Nasri (l) celebrates scoring Man City's first goal against West Ham en route to the Premier League title.

    Samir Nasri praised Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE and minister of presidential affairs, for transforming the fortunes of the club and turning them into English football’s best team.

    The Frenchman’s 12th goal of the campaign sent the Etihad outfit on their way to a 2-0 win over West Ham and sealed a second Premier League title in three seasons.

    With an FA Cup and League Cup winners’ medal to add to his tally since his arrival from Arsenal in 2011, Nasri has been thrilled at the success.

    And, with City now heading to Abu Dhabi for Thursday’s friendly with Al Ain, the 26-year-old said: “Since Sheikh Mansour came, he has given the club a different status to 10 years ago.

    “I have been here three years and won four trophies. Every year since I came we have finished first or second, so over those three years we have been the best team in England – no doubt about it. It is important that next year we confirm that.

    “I just think that if we keep the same squad and add one or two good players, I don’t see why we can’t repeat this kind of thing.

    “We just need to improve in the Champions League because with the kind of players we have, we need to at least get to the quarter-finals.”

    Nasri also saluted manager Manuel Pellegrini, a man he credits for helping him find his best form after problems under previous boss Roberto Mancini.

    “It’s his first season in England and he won two trophies,” said the 26-year-old.

    “I don’t understand how this guy had never won a major trophy in Europe, so I am glad his first trophy was with us.

    “We scored 102 goals in the league, over 150 goals in all competitions, and we always play. It is attractive football, offensive football, and I think the manager and the players deserve this trophy.

    “The title this year has a different taste to what happened two years ago – I played a part then, but not like this year. I did great because I had a great manager behind me, who trusted me and I tried to give it back to him on the pitch.”

    Despite his fine form, Nasri is set to miss out on France’s World Cup squad.

    “Sadly it’s not going to happen, but that’s fine,” he added. “I respect the choices he (coach Didier Deschamps) has made.

    “I won the league and I won a cup this year, so I did everything on the pitch. Afterwards, if that is not enough, it is not enough. I missed a World Cup in 2010 and I am still alive and stronger than ever. I am going to watch it on TV while I am on holiday and I will be fine.”

    Meanwhile, goalkeeper Joe Hart – dropped earlier in the season – added his voice to the praise for Pellegrini.

    “He’s a winner, he wants us to win,” Hart said.

    "He is a measured man and he believes in what he does.”

    City timed their run to perfection, winning their last five games as Liverpool stumbled with the finishing line in sight.

    “We came strong at the end, we won the games we needed to,” Hart added. “We are all winners, strong personalities.”

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