• Premier League

Mancini does not trust Balotelli

ESPN staff
March 31, 2012
Mario Balotelli has a point to prove to Roberto Mancini © Getty Images
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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is likely to pin his faith in Mario Balotelli, but has admitted he does not trust the Italian striker.

Balotelli is one of the most gifted players in world football, but he has often been dogged by on and off-field controversies. Only this week he raised eyebrows when gatecrashing a press conference at his former club Inter Milan.

With Carlos Tevez not yet fully fit and Sergio Aguero sidelined due to injury, it is likely Balotelli will start against Sunderland - but Mancini does not know what sort of performance he will get.

"I don't trust Mario. No-one trusts Mario," Mancini said. "He is a top player. He can do everything. He can score two goals against Arsenal next week. But he can also take a red card.

"Until now he did well and in the last eight games he could be important for us. But trust him? Never."

Referring to Balotelli's trip to Italy this week, Mancini said: "I can't put him in his house for two days.

"Probably the moment will arrive when he will know what he should do when he has two days off.

"I hope he will grow out of it because he needs to know this is his job. He needs to work and rest. But he is young."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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