Samir Nasri has revealed that he is in "a better place" at Manchester City following the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as manager in the summer.
The Frenchman failed to find his best form last season after falling out with former Citizens boss Roberto Mancini and experiencing disciplinary problems with the troubled international team.
However, he has prospered in a more significant role in the City side this term, scoring twice in 11 Premier League games, and Nasri has attributed his turnaround in fortunes to Pellegrini's arrival.
"Last year was a bit difficult for me personally because of the problem I had in the Euros and other stuff," Nasri told reporters.
"So this summer, I cleared my head and came back with determination to have a great season. But right now everything is fine. I'm in a better place and that's what I want.
"I feel that he (Pellegrini) trusts me and that he gives me responsibilities on the pitch. When you have a manager like that, you want to repay that sort of faith - and that's what I'm trying to do."
Nasri, 26, also likened Pellegrini's management style to that of Arsene Wenger, for whom he played during his three-year spell at Arsenal before leaving for the Etihad Stadium in 2011.