Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak visited the players yesterday on tour of the US.
City defender Micah Richards revealed in his diary for the club's website: "We had a nice surprise in the latest training session at the Home Depot centre when the chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak turned up to say hello.
"He looked very chilled out and relaxed and really just wanted to congratulate us on last season's achievements and wish us well for the one coming up. It was filmed so I guess it will be in one of the training videos coming your way from Bailey's mob.
"Khaldoon did mention to a couple of the lads that the next step is to win the league! But that's great because that is exactly what all the lads want as well. He is ambitious for the club and so are we.
"We don't see and awful lot of the chairman. He came in before a few games last season and every time he visited with us we seemed to play better.
"I think he gives us a bit of a lift. Everyone wants to impress the boss don't they?"
