Source: Team_Talk
Mancini once again defends De Jong
Roberto Mancini has launched a passionate defence of Nigel de Jong but realises the Manchester City star will always be viewed negatively.[LNB] Mancini has been dismayed by what he views as an over-the-top reaction to De Jong's tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa during City's win over Newcastle a fortnight ago that left the young Frenchman with a double leg break.[LNB]Although the incident went unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson at the time and the Football Association have decided not to take further action, Ben Arfa's parent club, Marseille, are threatening to sue, while a number of former professionals have launched into De Jong.[LNB]Most damaging of all, the midfielder was axed from Bert van Marwijk's Holland squad as a direct consequence of his conduct, with the accompanying suggestion that De Jong starts to look at the way he behaves.[LNB]Coming on the back of his X-rated World Cup final tackle on Xabi Alonso, De Jong is beginning to develop an unwanted reputation that Mancini accepts means his career might be viewed negatively.[LNB]Yet the City chief believes such a perception is undeserved.[LNB]"Probably people do look at things negatively but every week, in every game, here, in Spain, in Italy, there are unbelievable fouls, worse than Nigel," he said.[LNB]"I remember that foul in the final very well. He was late in the tackle. He started and couldn't stop.[LNB]"But he is an honest player. He is a hard player but there are a lot of players like that and I am very disappointed with all the people who have spoken about this situation."[LNB]That is not to say Mancini is dismissive of Ben Arfa.[LNB]He has offered his condolences to the 23-year-old and wished him a speedy recovery.[LNB]It is more that the City boss feels the entire situation should be judged on the reality of what De Jong did, rather than the injury that occurred.[LNB]"It was a normal tackle, not the kind of thing that people have been speaking about," said Mancini.[LNB]"Ben Arfa was very unlucky to get this injury.[LNB]"I am very sorry for him and hope he can play very quickly.[LNB]"Sometimes I agree, we must pay attention to tackles because when things happen like this with Ben Arfa, it is very disappointing.[LNB]"But these situations can happen in football."[LNB]Although De Jong is bound to be feeling a little bruised by the attacks on his character, it will not stop Mancini selecting the 26-year-old for Sunday's Premier League trip to Blackpool.[LNB]Neither, it seems, will it prevent the former Ajax star from turning out for his country again, as has been suggested in some quarters.[LNB]"Nigel was disappointed to get dropped by Holland. He is a Holland player, who always worked at 100% for the national team," said Mancini.[LNB]"He still wants to play for Holland. Why not?[LNB]"It depends on the Holland manager of course but he has never said he is considering quitting international football."[LNB]Mancini raised an eyebrow or two when he likened Sunday's visit to the seaside "like going to Rimini".[LNB]The former Italy maestro may end up being disappointed, even if the famous Tower and Pleasure Beach will be visible on City's drive to the resort, which Ian Holloway is putting back on the football map in sensational style.[LNB]Yet there was another side issue for Mancini to address; that of his row with Carlos Tevez at half-time during that Newcastle encounter, when the South American whipped his shirt off believing he was about to be substituted because of the heated exchange.[LNB]"I don't know if you have ever had a row with your boss?" quizzed Mancini.[LNB]"Sometimes it is important. If we have been asleep in the first-half, maybe in the second we wake up.[LNB]"I have a good relationship with Carlos. All the stuff in the newspaper was false. We had a good discussion. A healthy discussion.[LNB]"It can happen in the dressing room in every game."
