Despite being linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus over the summer, Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov insists he only ever had eyes for the Etihad Stadium.
Serbian international Kolarov, 27, played 29 times for the Premier League runners-up last season, being rotated with Gael Clichy.
And despite not being guaranteed to start under Roberto Mancini and now Manuel Pellegrini, Kolarov is determined to fight for his place and taste success.
“There were a lot of talk about Juventus but I never said I wanted to go,” Kolarov told The Sun.
“I have two more years of contract at City, so I’m focused on working hard in training and, when I have the chance to play, giving my best.
“I am happy at City so now we’ll see what happens. I am professional and I will be looking to win something this year.”
The Serb – who joined City in 2010 from Lazio for £19million – has won the FA Cup and Premier League title in his first two seasons with the Citizens.
But last season was a trophyless one in East Manchester, costing Mancini his job in the City hotseat, which included exiting the Champions League at the group stage.
And after two seasons of failure in Europe, Kolarov hopes Pellegrini’s managerial credentials will steer City to the Champions League’s latter stages.
“That competition is important for us,” he added. “Last year was not good but now we’ve a good group and we can go through.
“Pellegrini did very well in the Champions League at Villarreal and Malaga. He has experience and that will be good for us.”
City’s Champions League group include reigning champions Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen, who they face next week.
Image courtesy of mcfcofficial, via YouTube, with thanks.
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