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As Mancini celebrated the completion of three years at Manchester City recently and won accolades from City fans for bringing success that was unheard of to the club, fans have also, off late, become critical of his unyielding trust in the impulsive star, Balotelli. In fact, several supporters of the club are under the impression that the dependence of Mancini on Balotelli may spell an end for the illustrious manager.
Last week, Mancini made a statement saying there was absolutely no chance that the former Inter Milan striker would be up for sale during the January window, and would remain a City player on the first day of February. Mancini has often been criticized for playing Balotelli in deciders like the Manchester derby, while the pairing of Aguero and Tevez upfront is unmatchable. While his soft spot for the rebellious player paid off last season, apart from the penalty against Borussia Dortmund and a goal against Wigan, this season Balotelli has proven to be a little more of a liability and a little less of an asset for Mancini.
The City boss is prepared to welcome the bad boy of football with open arms, but the financial ramifications of the move would cause significant friction in club considering the fact that the senior management of the club has grown abundantly tired of the twenty two year old footballer’s antics, and therefore they might consider serious offers for him. In light of the recent appeal that the footballer made against Manchester City for fining him over his disciplinary issues, dropping the tribunal against the club seemed like a revelation for the player as well as a last ditch attempt to maintain his spot at the Etihad Stadium.
Reviewing the performance at the club, the pairing up of Aguero and Tevez has resulted in City winning all the thirteen league games and Dzeko seems to be making far more of an impression as a performer than Balotelli, this season. Talks of John Guidetti replacing Balotelli also seem to be doing the rounds, since the player seems to have recovered from a long standing virus.
Mancini seems to be fighting a losing battle at Etihad for his preferred player and the Serie A giants, AC Milan seem to be monitoring the progression of the battle rather closely. If AC Milan moves around players like Robinho and Pato, they might have enough funds to buy out Balotelli, but the clash between the player and City may put Milan at a tactical advantage in terms of the asking price. Balotelli’s former club, Inter Milan, also seem to be interested in acquiring the player but are not likely to pay City’s steep asking price. However, with a tiff amongst the management and the manager, City will either have to make do with the losses incurred or continue with the player who now stands as the fourth option striker for the club.
Balotelli was quick to take up arms against his club but little did he know that it meant nothing without ammunition. Maybe last season Super Mario, maybe last season.
