Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson admits Didi Hamann's calming influence has been crucial in their excellent start to the season.

"Over the first three games, Didi Hamann has been excellent and he is a calm guy, you can give him the ball and he will not give it away," Eriksson told City's website.

"I think being all the help he will be, Didi will be very, very important for us."

Alongside the former German international in the City midfield, two young homegrown talents in Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland, have also been principal players during the Blues' table-topping start to the season.

Eriksson admitted: "They've been very good. They came from the Academy and are fantastic football players.

"I think it's good for them to have a Hamann because he speaks and guides the young players. It's always good to have a player like him in the team."