Pellegrini wants Barcelona style at Man City, says Rodwell

Manchester: Jack Rodwell has revealed new boss Manuel Pellegrini wants Manchester City to play like Barcelona next season.

Pellegrini spent nine years facing the Catalan side during his managerial stints with Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga, and the 59-year-old is determined to adopt elements of their style. Rodwell told The Sun: “Pellegrini likes us to press high up and press in numbers, to get the ball back as soon as possible and then play simple football. “He wants us to keep the ball until we’re in the final third and then see. “It’s early and he hasn’t gone into too much detail — he’s gradually drip-feeding us. “You look at Barcelona and what they do and it works for them so hopefully we’ll adapt. “He’s done great jobs at the clubs he’s been at, especially Villarreal and taking Malaga to the Champions League.” The England midfielder feels the players are adapting well to Pellegrini’s philosophy with three "brutal" training sessions a day helping them return to match fitness in time for the new season. He added: “It’s brutal but that’s what you expect in pre-season. “This is my first one at Manchester City and with this manager as well but we’re all coping well. “My old Everton boss David Moyes works you really hard and he’s also a hard-but-fair manager as well.” The 22-year-old also revealed his aim this season is to play regularly with one eye on a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for next year’s World Cup, but knows competition in the City midfield is stiff, especially after Brazilian Fernandinho`s arrival. “The World Cup has got to be a goal but the main thing is to stay fit and if I get in the team every week you never know. “Fernandinho’s a good player and we’ve got a couple of good players in that position already so it’s going to be hard. “Hopefully it will bring the best out of me.” Goal.com