The former Socceroo is loving his time with City after spending the past 12 seasons in England where he played for five clubs in the Championship.

Kilkenny also said the lack of the long balls practiced at training was a positive for the A-League.

“They (England) probably look for the physical aspect before the technical aspect which in my opinion for England as a nation to change the way they play might be the best way to do it if they want to do well internationally,” Kilkenny said.

“Very different (football in Australia), playing the way we want to play and I’m really enjoying the way the manager and the coaching staff are trying to get us to play the game.

“I’ve been saying for years this is the way the game should be played and not many teams play this way in England, I couldn’t even count on one hand, so I’m definitely enjoying it.”

Kilkenny spoke of the affiliations with parent club Manchester City and the recent appointment of Spanish legend Josep Guardiola which saw an injection of Spanish and German flavour to English football.

The 30-year-old said the club had somewhat surpassed some presumptions he had a upon his arrival.

 “I knew the City group as a whole want to create a philosophy and a brand of play and that was one of the major attractions for me, I’ve been playing in England for so long now, it’s a completely different way,” he said.

“You see Guardiola going into Manchester City and he’s changing the whole philosophy at the club, maybe he might be the person to change the philosophy of the country, but it was what I expected and maybe exceeded as well.”