MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli still has a future at Eastlands despite his controversial antics.
Mancini had appeared to suggest that Balotelli’s City career was finished after the Italian striker was sent off in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Balotelli has repeatedly tested Mancini’s patience with a series of increasingly bizarre incidents, including setting fire to his own bathroom by letting off fireworks and on-pitch rows with team-mates.
The pair have clashed on several occasions, but on Friday Mancini appeared to make a peace offering to Balotelli as he suggested he could still work with the former Inter Milan forward if he showed a willingness to change his ways.
“I’m happy if he wants to stay. But if he stays I think he needs to change,” Mancini said.
“If he changes manager tomorrow, next year or in three years time then it’s important he changes his behaviour. He can lose all his quality if he doesn’t.”
Mancini will have to do without Balotelli for Saturday’s trip to Norwich as the striker is suspended following his Arsenal red card.
And Mancini believes the Carrow Road clash represents an even more severe test to City’s title hopes than their forthcoming clash with leaders Manchester United.
City can move within two points of United, who host Aston Villa on Sunday, if they beat Norwich, but Mancini said: “United is easy. We could lose or we could win but it is an easy game. Against United or Chelsea, our concentration will be 100 per cent.
“But Norwich will be really tough because we have only had two days to recover after West Brom.
Meanwhile, Mancini appeared to have his tongue firmly in his cheek as he agreed with Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen’s claims that City do not have the right attitude to win the title. (Agencies)