Even before Spain lifted the 2010 World Cup Manchester City laid down their intentions for the new season with three world class siginings, Germany's young defender Jerome Boateng joined from Hamburg for £10.5M, then Spain's David Silva signed from Valencia for a reported £25M and then perhaps the biggest coup was the signing of Kolo's brother, Yaya Toure from Barcelona for around £20M
The Blues recouped £5M as Valeri Bojinov made his move to Palma permanent. Martin Petrov who was out of contract moved on and joined Bolton.
With all City's World Cup stars absent due to an extended break Roberto Mancini took the rest of the squad to Nike's training base in America for the start of the pre-season, which got underway with a 'training' game against Portland Timbers which City won 3-0.
Next it was on to New York and the Barclays New York Challenge. The Blues met Sporting Lisbon and an under strength City side were beaten 2-0.
Another piece in the Mancini jigsaw was added with a £16M purchase of left back Aleksandar Kolarov from Lazio for a reported £16M.
The Blues put out an under strength team again in the final game of the New York Challenge and were beaten 2-1 by the Red Bulls.  The States tour moved on to Georgia and City beat Mexican side Club America on penalties after the 90 minutes had finished 1-1.
The tour finished with a prestigeous friendly against Inter Milan which was spoilt by a bad referring decision which saw Vierra sent off in the 21st minute and City's ten men went on to lose 3-0.
The Blues were still without most of their World Cup players and new signings as they lost again in the penultimate pre-season game, as Borussia Dortmund won the inaugural Ferrostaal Cup beating City 3-1.
At last the Blues fans got to see all their new signings as City beat Valencia 2-0 at Eastlands in their last pre-season game.
Prior to the first League game of the season there was more movement in the transfer market, Nedum Onuoha joined Sunderland on a season's loan and then Roberto Mancini brought in another piece of his jigsaw with the £24M signing of exciting young striker Mario Balotelli from Internazionale.

The next day City kicked off the season with a 0-0 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane with Joe Hart displacing Shay Given with a World Class display between the sticks.
With the new 25 man squad rule Craig Bellamy was deemed temporarily surplus to requirements and joined Championship Cardiff on a long term loan.
Another major signing for the club saw James Milner move from Aston Villa in a deal valued at £24M with Steven Ireland moving to Villa Park and City paying the Midlanders £16M.
The Blues then had to travel to Romania to play Timisoara in first leg of The Europa League Play-off round, and they came away with an impressive 1-0 win with 'Super Mario' coming off the bench to score on his debut.

Prior to playing Liverpool on a very wet Monday night the fans first enjoyed the opening of a new match day experience, City Square, and then a more historic event, as Sheikh Mansour arrived at Eastlands for the first time since he bought the club and he was treated to a fantastic display from a City team containing six English internationals. The Blues beat Liverpool 3-0 the best result for the Citizens over the Scousers for 73 years. Back in Europe and a much changed side easily secured a place in the group stage of the Europa cup beating Timisoara in the second leg of the play off round.