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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in Inter Milan starlet Mario Balotelli.

The Italian tactician, who helped nurture the teenager's talents at Giuseppe Meazza, says he would sign him in an instant.

Balotelli has been in and out of favour under Jose Mourinho, although the Portuguese boss' desire to keep him remains unchanged.

When asked whether Mancini would be interested in signing Balotelli, he confirmed he would jump at the chance to bring him to Eastlands.

"I'd gladly take him right away," he told La Repubblica. "Mario is potentially a world class player, especially considering his age, as he already changes a game.

"I don't know about his current behaviour, but I've never had reason to complain when working with him."

No problem
Meanwhile, Inter boss Mourinho insists he does not have a problem with Balotelli and is only judging him for his on-field performances.

"Balotelli? I'm always concerned about his performance on the pitch, nothing more," he told Inter Channel.

"I liked him against Chievo, against Milan, against Juventus and against Fiorentina. Against Fiorentina he only had to realise that when the team is in difficulty, he must forget everything [else] - absolutely everything.

"He has been picked and he will not be going to the stands; there is not a problem with Balotelli and there has never been a problem with Balotelli."

zuricity wrote:Watched the game on Wednesday parallel to the Spurs vs Leeds game and this kid is very good indeed. Had a great game

Blueboylewis wrote:He is actually starting on the bench for Inter along with Mariga.

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:A complete troublemaker. Not a very good player either. We would do well to stay well clear.

ant london wrote:Is he the lad who said that Italians (or Italian crowds or something like that) were all racist?

(to be fair....he wasn't far wrong either way ;-) )

CityFanFromRome wrote:

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:A complete troublemaker. Not a very good player either. We would do well to stay well clear.

He is not a trouble maker, he just likes to rile the opposition fans up, and according to Mourinho he isn't so focused in training, but that was last year, I've not heard him say this anymore about Mario. At 19, he is still a bit tactically raw in the sense that at times he is a bit egoistical, or he may not track back all the time. However he is one of the most talented prospects I've seen recently across the whole Europe. Physically strong, fast, can cross, can shoot from long range and can also take free kicks, is deadly in one-on-ones.

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:Maybe you've not been keeping up
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... F2yXZY9QLg

The fact is that many City fans didn't like Robinho's lack of effort. Balotelli makes Rob look like a Vassell/Dickov super-clone. He has none of the raw talent that Robbie possesses either.

CityFanFromRome wrote:

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:Maybe you've not been keeping up
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... F2yXZY9QLg

The fact is that many City fans didn't like Robinho's lack of effort. Balotelli makes Rob look like a Vassell/Dickov super-clone. He has none of the raw talent that Robbie possesses either.

What about that differs from what I said? He angered Mourinho by not tracking back for a corner, and it's exactly what I said, that he doesn't track back at times.

As for talent, he may not regularly do fancy step-overs (it's not like he hasn't the ability to do them, mind you) but what he does is almost always effective.

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:

Blueboylewis wrote:He is actually starting on the bench for Inter along with Mariga.

Cheers Lawro.

CityFanFromRome wrote:

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:A complete troublemaker. Not a very good player either. We would do well to stay well clear.

He is not a trouble maker, he just likes to rile the opposition fans up, and according to Mourinho he isn't so focused in training, but that was last year, I've not heard him say this anymore about Mario. At 19, he is still a bit tactically raw in the sense that at times he is a bit egoistical, or he may not track back all the time. However he is one of the most talented prospects I've seen recently across the whole Europe. Physically strong, fast, can cross, can shoot from long range and can also take free kicks, is deadly in one-on-ones.

Definitely a yes from me.

ant london wrote:Is he the lad who said that Italians (or Italian crowds or something like that) were all racist?

(to be fair....he wasn't far wrong either way ;-) )

He is. To be honest he plays a part in that as he likes to rile the opposition fans up wth his antics, however those who target him with racist insults through the game are pricks of the first class.

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:

CityFanFromRome wrote:

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:Maybe you've not been keeping up
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... F2yXZY9QLg

The fact is that many City fans didn't like Robinho's lack of effort. Balotelli makes Rob look like a Vassell/Dickov super-clone. He has none of the raw talent that Robbie possesses either.

What about that differs from what I said? He angered Mourinho by not tracking back for a corner, and it's exactly what I said, that he doesn't track back at times.

As for talent, he may not regularly do fancy step-overs (it's not like he hasn't the ability to do them, mind you) but what he does is almost always effective.

Surely your comment that he wasn't arsed in training but now, because you've not heard Jose say anything about him, means you think his attitude has improved? That story clearly shows it hasn't.

We'll see what happens, but I'm prepared to go on record and say that if he comes here fans will want him out within one month in. Hardly anything new recently I know.

bergomi wrote:He has a cocky character... always provokes opposition players and fans... not only without the ball, but with the ball - he practically led the team (goals, free kicks, corner kikcs, assists,...) at 17 years when Ibra was injured. Look at some of his goals: a deadly free kick, precise and powerful shot, energetic, fast despite his height (189cm), knows how to play striker or left/right forward positions. Believe me, he's the perfect mix - his only problem is that he doesn't like defensive jobs and at times goes in stupid tackles just to bicker with opposing players. All Interisti love him, all other fans in Italy hate him - and more they do, more he punishes them on pitch. When he'll stop having sudden attacks of childishness he'll become a Di Canio-type of player. And Inter wouldn't sell him if not for a very big price since everybody at the club knows how good he is.