The Barclays Premier League club went from rags to riches in 2008 and surpassed the Blues as the mega spending force in England when Sheikh Mansour took control.
The Abu Dhabi billionaire has since invested over ?1billion in the club transforming them into genuine title contenders having secured Champions League football and winning the FA Cup.
Most hated: Nigel de Jong claims Manchester City are the envy of supporters across the land due to their success
And now Dutchman De Jong insists Roberto Mancini's men must continue to be successful this season and take the championship away from rivals Manchester United - just as Chelsea did.
'We have taken over the role Chelsea experienced,' he said.
'During away matches you feel the hate for us in the stadiums and nobody wants us to be successful.
'That stopped at Chelsea when they won the championship and that will probably be the same for us.
'After we won the FA Cup I sensed there was a change in attitude.'
Up for sale: Craig Bellamy leads the players left out of City's pre-season tour to America
However De Jong has warned City must maintain their team spirit despite the high turnover of players joining and leaving the club year after year.
A host of stars look set to be sold this summer including wantaway striker Carlos Tevez with a ?37million return to Brazilian outfit Corinthians on the horizon.
Brazilian flop Jo, Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy, Shay Given and Wayne Bridge were all left behind as the first team squad jetted out for their pre-season of the US and are all set to move on with boss Mancini busy targeting replacements.
But De Jong said: 'We have to mould a collective - a team has to be like your second family.'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail