We can't buy until we sell, says Mancini as Man City tighten the purse-strings

Manchester City might have spent more than £600million on new players under Abu Dhabi rule, but manager Roberto Mancini admits he must sell before he can buy when the transfer window reopens next week.

Carlos Tevez, still valued at £40million by City, would command by far the biggest transfer fee and Mancini also hopes to offload defenders Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha.

He is concerned that injuries could derail City’s Premier League title challenge, with Yaya and Kolo Toure set to be missing for a month from mid-January on African Nations Cup duty.

But after more than three years of lavish spending, City’s wealthy owners are insisting on a more pragmatic approach.

‘Now we need to sell two or three players and then we’ll see,’ said Mancini. 

‘We want to sell and after that we may have time to buy someone if it’s possible.

‘But it’s not easy. I ask the owner for Messi but it’s not possible! 

‘Until now we have been lucky because we didn’t have any big injuries. This could be a problem in January because we lose Yaya and Kolo, and I hope we don’t lose any other players through injury.’ 

City have been linked with Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, Lille’s Eden Hazard and Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote among others, but Mancini claims that clubs routinely ramp up the price when City inquire about their players.

He also admitted that another potential target, Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, will be difficult to lure from the Italian capital.

‘De Rossi was born in Rome and it’s unlikely that he’ll leave the city,’ said the City boss.

‘There are players that could be good for us, but every time we want to buy a player their clubs ask for lots of money.’ 

City are top at Christmas for the first time in 82 years and will look to maintain their advantage when they visit West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

But Mancini has told his players that they must be mentally prepared to fall behind Manchester United during the course of the title race if they are to succeed in deposing their rivals as champions.

source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Mancini fury as Balotelli hits Manchester nightlife ahead of Chelsea clash

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli faces the wrath of manager Roberto Mancini after preparing for Monday night's crucial game at Chelsea with a late night out that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Italian striker Balotelli is in the City squad for what is arguably their biggest game of the Barclays Premier League season at Stamford Bridge. 

But Sportsmail understands that Balotelli was out until at least 12.45am in Manchester city centre after a Saturday night out with friends.

City yesterday declined to comment on the alleged incident, but did confirm that first-team players are not expected to be socialising less than 48 hours before a game. 

Mancini is known to have a more relaxed attitude than some Premier League managers, but it is clear he will be unimpressed with another lapse in discipline from the controversial Balotelli. 

The 21-year-old was not thought to have been drinking alcohol in the Zouk Bar and Restaurant but was described by one eye witness as behaving 'boisterously' with a group of friends. 

City had their last training session before the clash in west London on Sunday morning, meaning Balotelli will not have had a full night's sleep beforehand. 

Sources at the Etihad Stadium told Sportsmail that Mancini does not have a problem with players enjoying a mid-evening meal out in the run-up to a game.

However, it was also made clear that the City boss will view a night out that ends in the early hours as a step too far. 

Mancini has gone to extraordinary lengths to accommodate Balotelli during the young centre forward's season-and-a-half in England. 

And there have been times recently when the former Inter player appeared to be listening. But this latest episode underlines that Balotelli still refuses to take some things on board. 

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Samir scraps with Frimpong as pair renew hostilities after jeers on Arsenal return

Samir Nasri was involved in a tunnel bust-up with former Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Frimpong after helping Manchester City reach the Carling Cup semi-finals. 

The pair, who clashed on Twitter when Nasri left for City earlier in the season, gestured to each other as they approached the tunnel after the final whistle of a tie settled by Sergio Aguero's only goal.  

Arsenal denied punches were thrown but a witness confirmed the players confronted each other as they left for the dressing rooms at the Emirates Stadium.

Nasri was jeered by home fans thanks to his £25million move in August but the France midfielder had the last laugh after playing his part in City's first win at Arsenal in  36 years. 

But City manager Roberto Mancini was disappointed with the 24-year-old's display and has demanded an improvement. 

'He can play better because he is a top player,' said Mancini. 'I'm sure he will improve. Sometimes you need time. Maybe it was his first night back at Arsenal and maybe he was nervous, it's not easy for a player who was here for four or five years.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger felt his side had the better chances but were guilty of 'naive' defending when Edin Dzeko broke from a corner and the ball  was worked to Aguero to score. 

'It was not an unfair result but I felt we were a bit naive because it was a corner for us and then goal for them,' said Wenger. 'We looked the winner of the game and it is frustrating because we put a lot of effort in and were not rewarded. But our midfield has battled well and showed quality.' 

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Picture: www.sport360.com

Don't wear club shirts on Napoli trip, Manchester City fans are told

Manchester City have taken the dramatic step of writing to supporters travelling to Italy for next week's Champions League match to urge them not to wear club shirts or scarves. 

City take on Napoli, where visiting supporters have previously been subjected to knife attacks. In a letter to the fans who bought tickets for the match, club officials have also urged them to avoid no-go areas, including the railway station and the Old Centre of the city.

It is the first time City have issued such advice. The move comes after four Bayern Munich supporters were slashed with knives outside the Stadio San Paolo before a Champions League match last month. There were numerous reports of knife-wielding thugs on mopeds carrying out vicious assaults and two more German fans were stabbed in the city centre.

Last year three Liverpool fans were knifed, with two taken to hospital, when they visited Naples in the Europa League. Worried Manchester City officials drew up the advice after meeting officials from police at home and in Italy.

City's letter, signed by the operations manager Steve Sayer, says fans should "take care and use common sense" and "travel in groups where possible".

It says the club is "confident that there is a low risk of problems" but adds: "We would also advise against wearing club colours away from the game, particularly when taking public transport."

Tensions around the televised encounter are set to be high as defeat could see the Italians knocked out of the tournament. No alcohol will be served inside the ground and City supporters will be locked in after the final whistle for 45 minutes.

City said they had been working closely with the British consulate in Naples, Napoli and the Italian police to ensure the safety of their fans. The Premier League club are second in Group A, with seven points, behind Bayern Munich on 10 and ahead of Napoli with five.

source: www.theguardian.co.uk, picture from www.dailymail.co.uk

City land Dzeko for £27m

Manchester City have reportedly agreed a £27 million deal to sign Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg and the sought-after Bosnian striker expected to arrive in England by the end of the week.

Dzeko has long been a target for City but it is believed Wolfburg boss Steve McClaren's need for funds to strengthen his squad has helped bring down their asking price.

City just need to agree personal terms with Dzeko, who has reportedly asked for £175,000 in wages. The club is expected to negotiate a lower figure than that but Dzeko will still become one of the world's highest paid players.

Dzeko, who has been a goal-machine for Wolfsburg, has also been a target for Bayern Munich and Juventus but cash-rich City are near certain they will get the man they hope could make the difference in the Premier League title race.

The move is likely to have a flow-on effect at the club with 24-year-old Dzeko joining Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli among the preferred striking stocks, meaning Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz will have to look elsewhere to find regular football.

Jerome Boateng is convinced Manchester City will be signing a star performer if they can lure Dzeko to the club. From his own meetings with the striker, the German international acknowledges what a threat he can be.

"Dzeko is a very good striker,'' Boateng told the Manchester Evening News. "Of course, we would love to see him at City because he is a quality player. He played against Hamburg a few times whilst I was there - and he scored.

source: Soccernet.com