Negredo is one of the City players who has been encouraged by Pellegrini’s more relaxed approach

There was always the danger that the H-word be thrown back at Manchester City. “Holistic” was the adjective in the statement last May that signalled a change of approach with the unpopular dismissal of Roberto Mancini. Holistic called to mind the feng shui practices of Thaksin Shinawatra, their former owner. Holistic threatened to make them a laughing stock — just like the bad old days.

Holistic meant hiring Manuel Pellegrini, the Chilean coach who, after spells in charge of Villarreal, Real Madrid and Málaga, was regarded as the nearly man of Spanish football. Holistic meant selling Carlos Tévez to Juventus at a huge loss, having already shipped out Mario Balotelli, a disruptive influence, to AC Milan. Holistic meant settling for a calm, low-key approach after