MARIO BALOTELLI has been axed by Roberto Mancini for being lazy and miserable.
The Italian striker turned in an awful display for Manchester City in Monday's home defeat by Everton.
And Mancini said: "If Mario deserves to play he will play. If he doesn't deserve to play he doesn't play. If Mario doesn't work, he doesn't play.
"It's not important Mario has a good technique and is a good player. If we want to improve we need everybody giving 200 per cent.
"Mario is a special player but you have to put strength and heart into your performances."
Balotelli, 20, has started five of City's last six games but will be on the bench for their Boxing Day trip to Newcastle.
He has bagged five goals in nine games so far, but has also been red-carded and turned in some shockers while never looking like he is enjoying a minute.
Mancini believes Balotelli can be the best player in the world, but right now he has run out of patience with him.
The Eastlands boss added: "He must improve his situation and smile. I do not know why he does not look happy.
"Manchester is not like Milan but he has to accept it."
Mancini bought Balotelli from Inter Milan for £24million in the summer having worked with him at the San Siro.
And he said: "We do have a good relationship but he must play well, must work hard every day, like the other players."
Mancini has hinted captain Carlos Tevez should apologise to fans to help restore his standing with the City faithful.
Tevez withdrew a transfer request on Monday after a week-long wrangle.
Mancini said: "I don't know. Maybe he should apologise.
"It is now important Carlos plays well and scores goals. But the fans still love him."
Liverpool Plan £8m Move for Manchester City Midfielder
Roy Hodgson hopes to bring Eastlands youngster to Anfield.
Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson. The Eastlands midfielder has spent the best part of two seasons out injured or off form and it appears that Roberto Mancini sees the youngster as very surplus to requirements and Roy Hodgson is interested in bringing the former Everton youth team player back to Merseyside.
Johnson has not started a Premier League match since August 2008 but the Anfield boss believes the former England Under 21 has enough potential to forge a top tier career and hopes to persuade Man City to sell the player to Liverpool.
Roy Hodgson is under instructions to bring in additions that have suit the club’s long term plans and with the help of Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli Liverpool have begun constructing a list of preferred targets and Michael Johnson is a player that reportedly interests both parties.
A move for the 22 year old midfielder would cost around £8m and given that Mancini has been told to cut back on unneccesary costs the Eastlands club may well listen to offers for a player who appears to be very low down the Man City pecking order.
WAGVENT OF THE DAY
http://footballpie.com/wagvent/album/Sa ... mmasi.html
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is lining up a £5m bid for Stoke's Robert Huth to boost the Reds defence. Daily Mirror
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has made signing Spurs striker Robbie Keane his priority for the January transfer window. Guardian
McLeish is also busy preparing a bid to bring Rangers star striker Kenny Miller to St Andrew's. (Daily Record)
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has admitted winger Ashley Young may be offloaded if the right amount of money is offered. With 18 months left on the 25-year-old's deal, Houllier said: "In January the best clubs keep their best players but you never know if someone comes with crazy money." Daily Mirror
Villa defender Curtis Davies, currently on loan at Leicester, has rejected Sven-Goran Eriksson's attempts to sign him permanently and will go back to Villa Park on 4 January when his loan deal expires. Daily Mirror
Kevin Gameiro is set to shun his Premier League admirers Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal and move from French outfit Lorient to Valencia. talksport.co.uk
Coventry boss Aidy Boothroyd wants Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy - if he can sell Keiren Westwood in the January transfer window. Daily Mirror
Dutch star Rafael Van der Vaart admits he will find it hard to play over the Christmas period but is determined to help Tottenham force their way back into the Premier League top four. The 27-year-old star has previously enjoyed winter breaks when playing in Holland, Germany and Spain. talksport.co.uk
John Terry has admitted that Chelsea's Premier League hopes have been dented because of a lack of depth in their squad. With the Blues picking up one win in seven and sitting in fourth place, Terry said: "In the past we had a big squad and could rotate and put other players in, we don't have that now." Daily Mirror
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, 40, is likely to retire at the end of the season, according to boss Sir Alex Ferguson.Daily Telegraph
Alexander Hleb's poor form has Belarus coach Bernd Stange so worried he visited Birmingham to quiz the midfielder personally. Daily Mirror
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti thinks Arsenal are scared of Didier Drogba and that the west London side have every chance of extending their excellent run against the Gunners if he is at his best. The London rivals play on Monday night. Daily Mirror
World Cup final referee Howard Webb has told Blackpool players to go down when caught by opponents rather than trying to stay on their feet if they want free-kicks. Daily Mirror
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit back at Nani after the Manchester United winger dismissed the Gunners' title hopes. Wenger said: "We live in a society where everybody knows everything. But I don't know who will win the league. I managed 1,600 games so if Nani knows he must be 1,600 times more intelligent than I am!" Daily Star
[/center]
