Manchester City haven't improved since last season, says Gael Clichy

Former Arsenal defender suggests City have failed to get beter

Manchester City defender Gael Clichy has said that Manuel Pellegrini's side haven't improved since lifting the Premier League title last season.

The former Arsenal man was speaking after the 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League, which leaves their hopes of progression in tatters, while City are also five points behind leaders Chelsea.

When asked if the champions had improved at all over the last ten months, Clichy response was surprising.

"It’s hard to say that," he said. "If you look at this game they had more possession, created chances and we ran after the ball a lot. I don’t know if we have improved since last year.

Gael Clichy lifted the Premier League with City last term (Getty)

"We are privileged to be in a club that wants to improve year after year. And to improve is to go further in the Champions League. Twice in a row we have played Barcelona. They are a big team and know how to play those kind of games. Eventually we will get there.

"Those clubs have been built for several years — 20, 30, 40 years — and this is only the sixth season for us but that’s no excuse. The owner wants to improve quickly, so we have to improve quickly.

"If we play as we did in the second half, everything is possible. It’s not going to be easy, but we are going to try really hard."

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez celebrates scoring against Manchester City (Getty Images)

The 29-year-old was sent off as Barca continued to frustrate English opposition with victory on Tuesday night.

"I have played Barcelona many times and even if you played five in the middle you always feel a player short because they know how to move, how to keep the ball," added Clichy.

"The choice of the manager to go from the first minute with two strikers showed we wanted to play offensively and score goals. We didn’t, and we didn’t start well.

"We have to carry on like this because that is the way we want to play and that is the way we are going to win things."