Source: Daily_Mail
Mario Balotelli can be better than Wayne Rooney, says Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini says Mario Balotelli warrants special treatment because he can be as good as Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. [LNB]Sportsmail revealed last week how four Manchester City players confronted Mancini over Balotelli and complained that the 20-year-old was being given special treatment to keep his volatile nature in check. [LNB]But, as he prepared to welcome Balotelli back from suspension at Stoke, the City manager argued that his kid-glove approach could help the £23million summer signing become a football icon. [LNB] Special service: Roberto Mancini is convinced Manchester City have a real talent in Mario Balotelli[LNB]Mancini said: 'I know how good Mario can become. He could develop into one of the top players in the world within two years, because he has everything. He is young and needs time, but if he wants, he can become atop player. [LNB]'There are a few players in the past like him. Cantona, Ronaldo, Rooney. That is the level he can reach. I think if Mario uses his head and thinks clearly, he can do that. He just needs to change his character a bit. Not completely, but just enough. [LNB]'People will try to wind him up, but he needs to understand that he must show different behaviour on the pitch, because, if he plays every game, I think he will make a difference. [LNB]Stand by your man: Mancini insists Balotelli deserves special treatment[LNB]'It is about getting the best out of him, and you have to remember he is still young. I can see a bit of myself in him at that age. I used to shout sometimes and get angry. When you are 20, it is impossible to behave well all the time. [LNB]'We are dealing with different personalities and characters, so, of course, I have a different approach, depending on the player. But there is no favouritism, and he is not crazy, as some people have suggested. He's just the same as other 20-year-olds. [LNB]'Patrick Vieira has helped him, and I think he is beginning to understand that he needs to stay on the pitch. I still say his sending-off at West Brom was not correct, but I also think that, after three, four or five games, he will appreciate that, if he shows good behaviour and doesn't argue with the referee it will make a difference. [LNB]'If you make mistakes, you must pay. That's life, but hopefully you learn from mistakes.' [LNB]Mancini was adamant that Balotelli would not be returning to Serie A but appeared to leave the door open for Emmanuel Adebayor to leave in January. [LNB]The City manager said: 'He (Balotelli) is settled here, despite the rumours in Italy that he wants to go back. [LNB] You're staying: Mancini has warned wantaway Adebayor to work harder for the team[LNB]'He went back to Italy when he was injured and when he was called up for the national team, but they have all been authorised trips. [LNB]'I don't think Adebayor can leave. He must continue to work and ,when he does play, he must play well. There is no chance for any player to leave at the moment, but it can change in January.'[LNB] Mancini orders Adebayor to shape up or shift out after City flop's exit claims Chelsea and City on alert as Benfica prepare to cash in on wantaway Luiz Manchester City face fight with Zenit for promising Udinese defender Zapata MANCHESTER CITY FC
