Gael blown away

GAEL CLICHY has been shocked by his tough-tackling new team-mates at Manchester City.

The French full-back spent eight seasons at Arsenal but moved to Eastlands earlier this month in a £7million deal.

And James Milner reckons the amount of tackles flying in during City's pre-season tour of North America has been a real eye-opener for Clichy, 25.

The FA Cup winners are renowned for their lively training sessions at their Carrington HQ.

England man Milner, speaking in San Francisco, said: "Gael hasn't been here too long but he's seen a few tackles fly in.

"He's surprised at that because at Arsenal they don't tackle too much in training. We train as we play but as soon as we come off the field everyone is together.

"It's good to go on tour for the fitness but with the new boys it's good to spend time with them. They'll get to know us a lot quicker spending 2½ weeks on the road rather than a few hours in training."

Winger Milner failed to live up to his £26m price tag following his switch from Aston Villa last August.

But he has returned from his summer break in great shape and urged boss Roberto Mancini to play him in central midfield this season.

Milner, 25, said: "He knows my best position is the middle and I think that too. Hopefully, I've shown that when I've had a chance to play there but I'll just keep working hard."

Gareth Barry believes his own controversial decision to quit Villa Park two years ago has been justified.

And he also hopes City's Champions League campaign can force him back into the England reckoning.

He said: "We won the FA Cup and we're in the Champions League so it's been a great move so far.

"But you get your England place back by playing well for your club so that'll be my initial aim."

Meanwhile, defender Jerome Boateng has flown back from the US to complete his move to Bayern Munich.

The German international wants to return home just a year after joining from Hamburg for £11m.

Boateng, 22, struggled to settle at Eastlands last season and was also plagued by injuries.