Manchester City captain Fernandinho says everyone must pull together for a successful Premier League title defence.

City have the strongest squad in the country following the £100million arrival of Jack Grealish with negotiations still ongoing for Harry Kane.

It means a lot of bruised egos every time manager Pep Guardiola picks his team and 36-year-old Fernandinho says keeping the whole group together is vital to continued success.

"Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is tough. We have some great characters but everyone understands we are here to play for this club so you have to do your job," said Fernandinho, who has won 11 major trophies with City and was chosen as captain by his team-mates after the departure of David Silva.

"With respect, discipline and responsibility, we are all going in the same direction.

"You have to respect the manager's decision if you are in the starting 11 and if you are not then you have to still respect it and work harder to get in.

"I think this is the level and the best way to keep the winning mentality and to challenge each other as well.

"As soon as you go onto the pitch, you have to play for yourself and your team-mates."