Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has criticised the English press for their impatience with players.
Boateng, 28, enjoyed a less than successful time with Manchester City in 2010-11 after signing from Hamburg and struggled to settle in England making only 16 Premier League appearances for Roberto Mancini's side, before signing for Bayern in the summer of 2011. But since returning home his career has blossomed and he has won the 2014 World Cup, four successive Bundesliga titles and been named Germany's Footballer of the Year.
Speaking to SportBild, Boateng hardly had any encouragement about life in the Premier League for Leroy Sane who left Schalke this summer to join Pep Guardiola at City.
"As a player you have to function immediately in England," he said. "The reality is you really need time to settle due to the different style of football.
"But you don't enjoy any honeymoon period with the English press, who are immediately on your case. That isn't easy for players.
"Some can handle criticism better than others, but some question what on earth am I doing here? Everything is terrible, even the weather. Many players are broken by this."
Boateng also compared his old boss's burgeoning influence in England to his time at the helm of the Bavarian giants.
"As far as I know, Pep Guardiola has total power at Manchester City and has the final say in all matters," he said. "That sort of thing is impossible at FC Bayern."
But Boateng believes the Premier League leaders will improve under Guardiola and are among the favourites for Champions League success.
"You can see what Pep Guardiola has already achieved at City and I'm convinced it will only get even better. That's the way it was with us -- we got stronger every year when he was in charge.
"In Manchester, it will also be easier for him to sign players that fit his philosophy, but not even Guardiola can sign 11 players in a transfer window.
"Nevertheless, City are definitely one of the contenders for the Champions League this season."