Italian footballer and main line up striker of Manchester City Mario Balotelli is unlikely to leave the club during January transfer window based on the news coming from manager Roberto Mancini’s den. He said, club owner Sheikh Mansour is not interesting in letting him go, perhaps, he is a big fan of striker and wants to see him use his full potentials playing with the City. Reportedly, Balotelli has been in touch with two clubs for a probable transfer, and still; City manager is hopeful that striker will raise his standards and take his future more professionally. According to some reports, AC Milan has already prepared a lucrative deal for Italian ‘bad boy’ and if Milan is really interested in him, it needs to impress both City and Balotelli to make this happen. Actually, the relationship between Manchester City and Italian striker went into trouble when City imposed a disciplinary fine on him and he took them to a tribunal against that fine, and he since found linking up various clubs.
When asked about manager’s personal relations with striker, especially after the last month episode, Mancini said, “The relationship between me and him is always good, even if one day he does something.
“I love him because for many years we live together. I’ve seen him grow. But the professional relationship is another thing and I’ve told Mario what I need from him.
“The time of cheap talk is over. Balotelli is 22 years old and now it’s time to be professional. I ask from him seriousness and commitment in training, a more stable private life and correct behaviour on the pitch.
“Totti is Mario’s best example. If Francesco is able to have this continuity of performance at the highest level at the age of 36 years, it’s because he has behaved as a professional.
“Mario now has returned to training and could be on the bench against Stoke. Otherwise, he could play against Watford in the FA Cup on 5 January.”
Another side of the story could be linked up with City’s Midfielder Samir Nasri who has been slapped with a red card and a three matches’ ban; hence he will not be available for next few matches. In the meantime, Mancini doesn’t want to miss another player looking at the absence of his main line of strikers due to injuries. It all looks like a backend mind game where both City’s think tank and Balotelli are trying to explore every available opportunity.