Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta claims the new £200m training complex, adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, gives the club no excuses for failure on the pitch. The 80-acre facility boasts 16 full-sized pitches and brings all the club's teams from youth to senior, male and female, together at one location.
The first-team building houses spacious changing rooms, top-class medical facilities, gymnasiums, pools, a refectory and hotel-standard rooms for every member of the squad. The squad already stays there the night before home games.
Of the pitches at the complex, one of them is within a 7,000-capacity stadium for use by reserve and women's teams and another is fully indoors.
"It makes a massive difference," said Zabaleta ahead of Monday's official opening of the complex.
"City have become a top club, not just in England but in the world and you need this new facility, a good training ground.
"I remember them talking about building a new training ground - but I didn't expect it to be this big. I have never seen anything like it. It is a huge step forward for the club."
Asked if he agreed the club now had no excuses for failing to deliver, Zabaleta said: "Yes, because I think we have everything here to become a better team now.
"That is always what you expect from big teams - you have good facilities but also you cannot make mistakes or relax. When you have those things you have to show why you've got them.
"Obviously there have been a lot of changes over the last few years but you can see the commitment from the owners.
"They've made a great investment to make Manchester City one of the top things. This is something great."
The 29 year old added: "For the young blood to share the same building as the first team, and have the chance to train together, the club will benefit 100 per cent. We have a staff working hard to produce young talent for the next generation.
"This facility makes it special. We have everything here."
Even the great Lionel Messi has been impressed, as Argentina were trained there ahead of last month's friendly against Portugal at Old Trafford.
"We gave Messi a tour just to try to impress him! No, I am joking," said Zabaleta of his international team-mate. "Everyone was impressed. When you come here and see the buildings and stuff it is fantastic."
