Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini vows to give Brazilian misfit Jo one last shot at Manchester City
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has decided to give discredited Brazil striker Jo one final chance to prove himself in English football. [LNB]The 23-year-old has been an unmitigated disaster in the Barclays Premier League, but as Mancini looks to launch an assault on the title and the Europa League, he has decided to keep hold of the forward at least until the January transfer window.[LNB]While Mancini has been trying to move on Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz - and has already sent Craig Bellamy on loan to Cardiff - he has told his coaching staff that Jo can expect to play in Europe and feature from the bench in the Premier League.[LNB] Disaster: Jo has managed just three goals for Manchester City since his £18m move[LNB]Mancini said: 'I have seen Jo in these two months and I think he's a good player. He has a chance. I saw him when he played for CSKA Moscow, I played against him with Inter and he's a good striker.'[LNB]Mancini rarely criticises his players in public and it remains to be seen if Jo can impress him over the coming weeks. [LNB]Itis a surprise, though, to learn that he is being offered a shot atrehabilitation, even though he came off the bench towards the end ofMonday's 3-0 victory over Liverpool ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor.[LNB]Not only has Jo scored a mere three times for the club he joined for £18million from CSKA in 2008, he has also tested City's patience with his behaviour off the field. [LNB]In his first season at City, Jo was fined by manager Mark Hughes after going to a nightclub when he had missed training with an illness. Then, during a brief loan spell at Everton, he enraged manager David Moyes by refusing to return from Brazil after a Christmas break.[LNB]In another loan period, at Turkish club Galatasaray last season, he attracted negative publicity for partying and it remains to be seen how he gets on in Manchester this winter without his fellow Brazilians to keep himcompany.[LNB]With Elano and Glauber Berti now history at City and Robinho expected to move on imminently, Jo is likely to be the only Brazilian left at the club.[LNB]Mancini said: 'We must wait what happens with Robinho. There are six more days. Robinho has two or three options and he must choose. I think he wants to go back to Spain.' [LNB]City take a 1-0 lead into Thursday's game against the Romanian side Timisoara and will once again be without new striker Mario Balotelli, who has a knee injury.[LNB] Angry man: Shay Given will likely ask to leave Man City should he be left out of their team on Thursday[LNB]Mancini will field a changed side as he looks to protect players ahead of Sunday's league visit to Sunderland. He is expected to give Shay Given a first start of the season, with the Irishman still weighing up his future after Joe Hart was given the nod ahead of him in the Premier League.[LNB]Were Given to be left out on Thursday night, he would almost certainly ask to leave the club. City sources said Given would play even if Mancini suggested he was still considering the matter. [LNB]Mancini said: 'I always said that it would be important for me for Shay to stay. I think we need two good goalkeepers but Shay must decide. [LNB]'I can understand if he wants to leave but I hope he can stay. I must decide but first I will speak with him. It's different for goalkeepers. I want to speak with him and I'll decide after I speak with him.'[LNB]VIDEO: Mancini on City's ins and outs... Robinho and Santa Cruz are set to leave Man City, says ruthless ManciniCity striker Balotelli set to miss Europa League clash against TimisoaraMan City star Milner dreams of teaming up with Scholes in England midfieldMan City misfit Robinho snubs move to Fenerbahce for Spain or ItalyMANCHESTER CITY FC
