Manchester City have smashed the establishment, says midfielder Nigel de Jong.

The Holland star takes no prisoners on the field and his assessment of the battle to be in the Premier League's top four on a regular basis is typically forthright.

De Jong told the Sunday Mirror: "You just have to look at Liverpool and ­Arsenal. They have lost what I call their subscriptions to a place in the top four. They now have severe ­competition from other clubs.

"First, it came from Chelsea. Now we are a competitor too. Arsenal and Liverpool are forced to consider making new signings to strengthen their teams.

"They can't survive in the top four with a modest ­transfer policy or just a ­couple of ordinary signings.

"There are six or seven teams who can fight for the four top places in the Premier League now.''