Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says Chelsea are worthy defending champions.

Kompany insists Jose Mourinho's men deserve respect for their achievement but insists City's 'hunger' for the fight was not at issue.

“Chelsea were the best team in England by far last season," said the City skipper, 29.

“They played attractive football against the teams they know they could afford to play attractive football against.

“In matches they knew would be harder, they were very efficient. There's an art to that you have to respect.

“We wanted it just as much as we did the year before," said the centre-back to FourFourTwo.

“We're still as hungry, but for some reason we lacked a little bit of sharpness in critical moments.

“We have to be more consistent. Our home form was our strength in the seasons we won the title, but last season it let us down. We had some injuries at bad times. There are so many things that influence a season, and the easiest thing to say is 'they just didn't want it as much'. It doesn't cut it for me."