Roberto Mancini has urged Mario Balotelli to focus only on his football, revealed a failed bid for Daniele De Rossi and spoken of missing Italy.
Roberto Mancini has urged Mario Balotelli to focus only on his football, revealed a failed bid for Daniele De Rossi and spoken of missing Italy.
Balotelli has drawn criticism in recent weeks in England for his form and he was taken off before the hour mark of Sunday’s Manchester derby and then criticised by Mancini for lacking focus.
Whilst continuing with that message, the manager has also made clear that the striker will not be leaving City any time soon.
“Balotelli has enormous quality, he is not for sale,” the Italian told Sky Italia.
“He is a player of 22 and he should think only of his work and his family, because he has such a talent and thus cannot blow it as he is doing.
“With his quality a game can change at any moment, I hope that this moment will come soon.”
Mancini also made clear that even if he left his position as manager, it would not increase the odds of Balotelli following him out, before then suggesting that leaving the bench could come soon.
“It is not easy to live abroad, certainly I feel homesick. [But] I’m fine at City,” said Mancini.
“I work in a very serious club and in England it is easier to work. There is a project and we have done a great job in two years.
“I feel really good, but it is clear that I miss Italy because home is always missing.”
City were heavily linked with a move in the summer transfer window for Daniele De Rossi and now with a winter deal for Wesley Sneijder or Stephan El Shaarawy.
“We tried to take De Rossi in the summer, but the deal went nowhere and the story is now over. I think De Rossi will stay at Roma, I do not think he will leave them.
“Sneijder is a great player, but we have quality players like [Samir] Nasri and [David] Silva who have similar characteristics.
“Beyond his great quality, Sneijder is not a player that we need.”
“El Shaarawy belongs to Milan, I do not think we can take him, Milan have found a great champion for the future.”