David Silva says he has no regrets about choosing Manchester City ahead of Real Madrid and claims the Manchester derby will soon be bigger than el clásico.
The Canary Island-born midfielder has been a huge success since joining Roberto Mancini’s side in June 2010 and has been instrumental in City’s rise to the top of the English game.
The former Valencia star was linked with Real Madrid before making the big-money switch to Eastlands but told reporters he is happy with his decision: “I am happy here at City, I have a good contract and the team is doing well. I am also settled and feel no need to return to play in Spain.”
City are three points ahead of neighbours United in the Premier League and Silva believes the battle between the two will increase to even surpass the importence of the Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry in his homeland.
“The Manchester derby is becoming increasingly important and I am sure it will surpass el clásico in a few years, Manchester is a football-mad city and it is great that both clubs are at the top of the league.”
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Bruising Balotelli adds insult to Parker's injury
"Why Always Me?" was the question posed on the T-shirt revealed by the human headline generator that is Mario Balotelli after he silenced Old Trafford's Stretford End in October's Manchester derby.
The 21-year-old Italian had scored City's first goal in the 6-1 rout of their neighbours and Premier League champions on their own turf just days after igniting part of his house with an ill-judged attempt to set off fireworks from the bathroom.
Balotelli was demonstrating an endearing ability to laugh at his own misfortune and turbulent personality. Pretty much everyone - United fans apart - laughed with him.
Sadly, for those who embrace the arrival of this wonderfully gifted young maverick to the Premier League there will be days when Balotelli is no laughing matter. And smiles were impossible to find among the Tottenham contingent at The Etihad on Sunday.
Balotelli's clash with Parker went unpunished by referee Howard Webb. Photo: Getty
The pain of losing to Balotelli's penalty deep into stoppage time after clawing back a two-goal deficit was bad enough in isolation. The fact that Spurs felt he should have been sitting in the dressing room as opposed to winning the spot-kick via Ledley King's foul before scoring it only added insult to injury.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp's eyebrows shot north at an alarming rate when it was suggested that Balotelli's image was mainly that of a "lovable eccentric" - before graphically condemning an offence pretty much everyone who saw it felt warranted a red card.
Balotelli, on as substitute for Edin Dzeko, had already been booked for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto when a routine tussle involving Scott Parker brought an initial accidental collision between his leg and the Spurs midfield man's head.
Only Balotelli will know the full scale of his intent in their second coming together, but it looked an altogether more sinister kick at Parker, leaving his opponent nursing a head wound and Spurs an obvious sense of grievance. He pleaded his innocence, with more generous souls suggesting it was simply an attempt to regain his balance gone badly wrong.
Referee Howard Webb took no action, leaving Balotelli free to win this vital game for Manchester City, who looked like having to settle for an unsatisfactory point after goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott were levelled up by Jermain Defoe's opportunism and a world-class Gareth Bale strike.
All Mario's life was here: The villain and the hero. It is the back story of his career and all evidence suggests this will be the constant narrative that could give T-shirt sellers a roaring trade for the next decade.
Balotelli represents the classic football dichotomy. The T-shirt was more or less a public admission of the chaos that characterises his life and career - and yet amid this chaos there is an ice-cool streak of composure that is completely at odds with this side of his personality.
Go back to the moments before he showed off his T-shirt at Old Trafford. Balotelli had scored the most perfectly executed passed finish beyond David de Gea amid the heat of a Manchester derby. It was not the act of a hothead but of a quick-thinking, calculating football mind.
And for someone whose previous behaviour suggests an inability to cope with pressure points or moments of confrontation, there was remarkable serenity in the defining moments of victory against Spurs.
For all the antics, Balotelli was calmness personified when it came to converting his spot-kick. Photo: Getty
With 20 seconds left, Balotelli was calm itself as he accepted responsibility for City's late penalty, with the Etihad fuelled by a cocktail of anxiety and expectation, before drilling a nerveless spot-kick past Brad Friedel for three points manager Roberto Mancini may treasure at season's end.
These are the moments Mancini accepted as the price on the ticket when he paid Inter Milan £24m to sign the youngster he knew so well in August 2010. He knew Balotelli was the highest of high-maintenance individuals but if high-maintenance also brought that title-winning edge he was willing to shoulder the burden.
Mancini's relationship with Balotelli is almost like father and son. The moments of exasperation are worth it for the joy he occasionally brings him and both have been offered up in equal measure.
The myths and legends have built up around Balotelli almost from the moment he arrived in Manchester. The lines between fact and fantasy have become increasingly blurred, with Mancini recently having to deny - with a smile on his face - claims that his player had been out on the streets of Manchester dressed as Santa Claus dispensing cash to passers-by.
There were even rumours that he had paid for those less fortunate than himself to use a luxury city centre hotel over the festive period. Earlier this month he parked his Bentley outside a Manchester school and popped in to use the toilet.
All good knockabout stuff, but it is on the field that the wisdom of Mancini's decision will be measured. There are no questions about his talent but plenty about the fragility of his temperament.
Balotelli was sent off, harshly in the view of most observers, at Liverpool in November but the red card was the culmination of an 18-minute appearance as substitute during which he appeared an almost unwilling participant in events, such was his obvious lethargy.
He suffered the ultimate humiliation at Anfield last season when he was so poor as a substitute that Mancini substituted him. And yet inside this complex, enigmatic figure lies a rare talent which his manager feels makes him worth all the time and trouble.
Balotelli is loved at the Etihad, a languid attacking contrast to the busy, world-class Sergio Aguero and the giant Dzeko. In among all the talents assembled by Mancini, Balotelli is the most combustible and unpredictable, but also an undoubted match-winner.
He can be a spectacular Premier League presence, the wild card who could help City claim the title for the first time since 1967/68. He is a godsend for those of us who observe in the media, for good and bad.
But there is a line that he can be tempted to cross, either by opponents willing to test his temperament or simply his own, occasionally wayward, approach. This is when the laughter and the indulgence will stop.
Balotelli might win City the title but there's a danger his unpredictability could potentially lose it for them.
Redknapp and Spurs were in no mood to see the funny side among the many sides of Mario Balotelli as they left Manchester feeling robbed of a point they believed they deserved. Why always him?
MCF.net thread: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=41603
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Balotelli to stay until 2013
Striker's agent doubts whether Milan could afford any transfer
Mario Balotelli's agent expects the Manchester City striker to stay at the Etihad Stadium until 2013 before assessing his future.
The controversial Italian was on Monday night charged with violent conduct by the Football Association as a result of his stamp on the face of Tottenham's Scott Parker.
It is the latest talking point in Balotelli's eventful career and it provides critics with further momentum to suggest he should leave City, with AC Milan reportedly interested.
But, speaking on the same evening as his client's FA charge, the representative of the striker, who began his career at Inter Milan under now-City boss Roberto Mancini, ruled out a quick exit.
"Mario and Roberto are not married, but Mario is grateful. Sometimes they fight and argue, but Balotelli knows what Mancini was and is for him."
"Mario and Roberto are not married, but Mario is grateful," agent Mino Raiola told GR Parlamento.
"Sometimes they fight and argue, but Balotelli knows what Mancini was and is for him.
"However, I cannot say that Mario will remain at Manchester City for life.
"Certainly he will stay there this season and the next one, too. Then we will see."
Raiola did not totally dismiss Milan's interest in signing Balotelli, but doubted whether the Italian club will ever be able to afford the forward amid the economic recession.
"We know what a difficult time is passing through the Italian market," he said. "Mario is becoming the best player in the world and every year will become increasingly expensive.
Aguero: Michael Owen was my hero as a kid
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is relishing this week's Carling Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool at Anfield - and has revealed he worshipped Michael Owen during his heyday with the Reds.
City’s 17-goal top scorer claims Owen’s success with Liverpool a decade ago made him believe he could succeed as a footballer as they are of a similar stature.
“I’m not so much a fan of Liverpool, but one of the players who was my idol when I was a boy was Michael Owen,” he said.
“He was quite small and had an eye for goal, just like me. When Liverpool were winning trophies, I was looking out for them because Owen was doing well.
“It’s ever since he scored for England against Argentina in ‘98, although I wasn’t too happy at the time. I cursed him pretty badly for scoring that. But getting that goal didn’t stop me from admiring him."
City trail 1-0 at half-time in the tie after defeat at Eastlands.
“It’d be nice to play in a final at Wembley with City," added Aguero. "We’ll be going there and giving everything we’ve got because we know it’s an important game for this club.”
Maradona's a City fan!
Aguero reveals his father-in-law keep close tabs on title hopefuls
Diego Maradona has found time to keep tabs on Manchester City’s pursuit of the Barclays Premier League title.
Maradona has developed an affinity for big-spending City since his son-in-law Sergio Aguero signed for them.
‘He follows me pretty closely,’ said Aguero after Sunday’s victory against Tottenham. ‘He always wants to know how we are getting on, and we keep in regular contact through text messages.
Maradona exclusive: Martin Samuel's interview, In the lair of Diego
Keeping an eye: Diego Maradona follows his son-in-laws career closely
‘I’m sure, when I get home, there will be a text asking all about the Spurs game and saying congratulations.’
Given the history of ill-feeling between Maradona and England, he might not be quite so approving of Aguero’s affection for Liverpool!
‘I’m not really a fan,’ Aguero added. ‘It’s just that one of the players who was my idol when I was growing up was Michael Owen. He was quite small and had an eye for goal, just like me. It’s since he scored against Argentina in 1998, although I wasn’t too happy at the time.’
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Paris Saint-Germain have made a move to sign Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, 33. talkShit
Championship side Brighton are preparing an audacious bid to land Manchester United and former England striker Michael Owen, 32. The Sun
Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk claim they have turned down a £16.7m offer from Chelsea for 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder The Independent
Liverpool are believed to be in talks to sign attacking midfielder Esteban Granero, 24, from Real Madrid on loan. Daily Mirror
But the Reds have denied claims from Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic's father that they are interested in signing the 26-year-old. Liverpool Echo
Manchester United midfield target Wesley Sneijder, 27, has ruled out a move to the Premier League from Inter Milan in the January transfer window. talkShit
Tottenham want to sign 24-year-old Mauro Zarate on loan. The Lazio striker caught Harry Redknapp's eye when on loan with Birmingham City three years ago. Daily Mirror
Newcastle United have made a bid for Watford skipper Adrian Mariappa, 25, as boss Alan Pardew looks to strengthen his defensive options. The Times
Swansea keeper Michel Vorm has dismissed speculation of a move to Chelsea or Manchester United, who are thought to have been impressed by the Dutchman. South Wales Evening Post
Crystal Palace hope to fend off competition from Championship rivals to sign 25-year-old Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood.Guardian
After losing out to Newcastle for the signature of striker Papiss Demba Cisse, 26, Sunderland have switched their attention to another Bundesliga hitman, 26-year-old Hannover 96 star Mohammed Abdellaoue. Footybunker
Blackburn outcast Jason Roberts, who has been sidelined by the Ewood Park club in a contract dispute, has been offered the chance to revive his career at Championship side Reading. Daily Mirror
Barnsley boss Keith Hill wants to bring ex-Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge, 28, back to South Yorkshire from Stoke City. Daily Star
QPR and Chelsea have asked Anton Ferdinand and John Terry to help defuse tensions ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie by shaking hands before kick-off. The Times
Jose Mourinho will quit Spanish league leaders Real Madrid in the summer amid reports of a training ground argument between the former Chelsea boss and senior players Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos. The Daily Telegraph
Arsenal's Robin van Persie insists he did not question Arsene Wenger's judgement to substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the weekend defeat to Manchester United. The Dutchman, caught on camera voicing his disbelief, says he was simply "sad" to see the winger leave the field.The Sun
But Wenger is close to losing the support of the Arsenal dressing room. Daily Star
Mick McCarthy is the bookies' favourite to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked - after a flurry of bets on the Wolves boss' departure. Racing Post
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, 25, has returned to the club to continue his rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury. Daily Express
Sunderland defender John O'Shea has backed Craig Gardner, 25, to overcome his homesickness after experiencing similar problems when he upped sticks earlier in his career. Sunderland Echo
Bolton have offered Sammy Lee the chance to return to the Reebok Stadium. Just over four years since he was axed as manager following a disastrous start to the 2007-08 season, the 52-year-old is being lined up to take a leading role in the club's youth set-up.Bolton News
Veteran Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes admits he is still scared of Sir Alex Ferguson - even at the age of 37. Daily Express
Preston players are fuming after new boss Graham Westley dropped four of them - in a 2am text message. Daily Mail
Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene was left red-faced in the Africa Cup of Nations when he caught the ball two yards outside of his area, but escaped a sending-off. Metro
