Mancini leaves Benjani's Manchester City future in his striker's hands

29 January 2010 13:54
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will leave it to Benjani to decide whether he wants to leave Eastlands.[LNB]Benjani has been linked with a move to Sunderland and could be the second striker to move on in a matter of days. Robinho sealed a loan move to Santos in his native Brazil on Thursday.[LNB]Even though Roque Santa Cruz remains absent with a calf injury, Mancini believes he has enough cover to cope.[LNB]  Gone or going, but not forgotten: Benjani (left) and Robinho[LNB]On Benjani, Mancini said: 'I spoke with him two days ago and he told me he had a possibility to go and play. We have a lot of strikers but he it is up to him to decide.[LNB]'If he wants to stay here I will be happy. He is a good player and a good man.'[LNB]Italian boss Mancini insists Robinho still has a future at the club beyond his loan spell in his homeland.[LNB]Mancini said: "I spoke with him and said if you want to stay here I will be happy. But if you want to go to Brazil, you can go. [LNB]'He said 'Okay I will go back to Brazil for six months because the World Cup is coming'.[LNB]'But after the World Cup I think he can make it here. He will come back here because for me, he is a fantastic player and he has a good talent.[LNB]'He can go back to Brazil, stay with his family and play in every game for Santos. That is important to him and I understand that.'[LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: Man City are all that is wrong with English football...EXCLUSIVE: Robinho will thrive in Brazil - to Manchester City's benefit, says World Cup legend Carlos AlbertoMan City turn to Parma's Mariga after move for Real's Gago breaks downWhat the back pages say: Rio to risk longer ban with second appeal, City chief Garry Cook could be the next to be axed, Sol can't wait to take on RooneyEastlands wasteland: The wit and wisdom of Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook MANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail