The Italian manager has confirmed his intention to keep the forward duo at the Etihad Stadium despite reports of interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his intention to resist offers for strikers Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez.
The duo have been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium following a season in which Dzeko found himself in and out of the starting XI and Tevez spent several months on the sidelines after his relationship with Mancini broke down.
Tevez returned to action to play an important part in helping City seal the Premier League title, however, while Dzeko still managed 19 goals in all competitions.
And Mancini has reiterated his desire to fend off reported interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan in the two players.
"Both Dzeko and Tevez will stay at City," Mancini told Sky Italia. "We are a great team and we try to keep all our great players. It won't be easy but they will stay here.
"We still lack a couple of players to reach [the level of] Real Madrid and Barcelona. Also our mentality has to grow season by season."
Mancini, meanwhile, dismissed speculation linking him to the vacant Russia job by insisting that he remained committed to the project at City having recently signed a new five-year contract.
"I'm honoured by Russian interest in me, but at Man City there are important plans for the future," the Italian explained.
Mario Balotelli will compete with Dzeko and Tevez for a place in the City team next season having earned praise for his performances at Euro 2012 with Italy.
And Mancini believes the 2012-13 campaign will be a significant one for the 21-year-old as he seeks to put his reputation for controversy behind him.
"Balotelli had to be grateful to himself because of his huge talent," Mancini added. "He must not waste it with non-football matters.
"Next season must be a defining one for him. [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Andres] Iniesta work hard every day to stay at top, and he can reach that level."
Manchester United and City in bitter battle to sign Van Persie as Tevez heads to AC Milan
Carlos Tevez is poised to move to AC Milan this week, opening the way for Manchester City to make their £30million bid for Robin van Persie.
The champions would appear to be in the driving seat to land the Arsenal striker but Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has still not given up hope of signing the 29-year-old in a cut-price deal.
The two Manchester clubs were only separated by goal difference at the end of last season and Ferguson is determined to get one over his rivals in the transfer market.
The bidding war will be kicked off by Tevez’s exit, with a source close to City revealing last night: ‘They are selling Tevez to Milan. You’ll see it in the next few days.
‘If, for any reason, that deal hits a complication, City may sell Edin Dzeko to Milan instead. But, for the moment, all efforts are focused on selling Tevez. That will open up the Van Persie deal.’
Argentina’s Tevez had his heart set on joining Milan last season at the height of his ugly stand-off with City.
Since then, he and Roberto Mancini have made up and as a thank-you for helping City win the title, the manager will allow Tevez his dream move to Italy.
Arsenal are still hoping to persuade Van Persie to stay and have scheduled further talks for this week when he returns for pre-season training.
They will want at least £30m if they decide to sell the striker, who has only one year left on his contract. Van Persie has set off a high-level row at Arsenal, with boss Arsene Wenger insisting on getting maximum value whereas other senior figures would accept less after the striker accused the club of lacking ambition.
This would play into Ferguson’s hands as the United board are unlikely to sanction a £30m deal for a 29-year-old.
Sources close to Van Persie have indicated that, if he does move, Old Trafford might be his preference. Mail
Carlos Tevez: My favourite superhero is Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli's summer exploits obviously impressed his Manchester City team-mate Carlos Tevez, who has described the Italian as his 'favourite superhero'.
The unusual praise for the star of Italy's Euro 2012 campaign came during a light-hearted question and answer session recorded for the Premier League champions' official website.
With Sergio Aguero behind the camera, Tevez answered questions sent in by City fans via Twitter.
The first was from a supporter who wanted to know who Tevez's favourite superhero was.
After a little thinking time, he replied 'Mario Balotelli' - a response that left the two Argentina internationals giggling.
The former Manchester United star also used the unconventional interview to improve his standing with Citizens fans.
Asked about his favourite goal for the club, he answered: 'All the ones that I've scored against United!'
The City faithful also demonstrated a sense of humour with some of their questions.
Referring to the time Tevez spent on strike in Argentina last season, one asked: 'What's the strength of your golf game? Is it your putting, driving, iron play or your driving?'
The ex-West Ham forward saw the funny side and laughed before revealing his short game was working well.
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AC MILAN STEP UP INTEREST IN MANCHESTER CITY STRIKER EDIN DZEKO
AC Milan have stepped up their interest in Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko
AC MILAN have stepped up their interest in Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko after agreeing to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain. By Daily Express Reporter (nice in depth report there then ...)
City winger signs new contract
Omar Elabdellaoui has expressed his delight after being handed a new two-year contract with Manchester City.
The 20-year-old winger has not yet made a first-team appearance for the club, having arrived from Skied in 2008.
He spent time on loan with Norwegian side Stromgodset in 2011 and admits he did not know whether he still figured in City's plans.
However, Elabdellaoui has now been granted an extension and he is hoping to keep making a positive impression during the pre-season tour of Austria.
"I wasn't sure what was going to happen towards the end of last season or what City were thinking so it was great to be offered a new deal," he told the club's official website.
"I didn't know if I'd be on the pre-season tour or not so I was really happy to be included in the party because it is really good to be around the senior players that are here in Austria and things couldn't be going better.
"I'm enjoying training, feeling sharper every day and it was great to get a run out against Al Hilal on Friday evening.
"We have two more games left on this tour and I hope I can be involved in those matches, too."
Gary Neville warning for Premier League champions Man City
Gary Neville has told Manchester City not to expect to dominate the Premier League after last season's title win.
City pipped city rivals United on goal difference to win the league for the first time in 44 years.
"Very rarely does a team run away with it," the ex-Manchester United defender Neville told BBC Sport.
"It's a tough league to win and the idea that a team will go and dominate, it's too early to start speculating about that."
He added: "Manchester United have done it through the '90s and last 10 years, Liverpool did it in the 1970s and 1980s. It's very difficult to dominate over 15 to 20 years.
Neville helped the Old Trafford club to eight Premier League titles before retiring in February 2011 and is wary of predictions that City will become the prominent force in English football.
"The easiest thing to say, and I've heard it a lot of times before, is that City will dominate," said Neville. "If City had lost the league on the last day [last season] people would have been saying United will dominate.
"It happens every year, the sort of up and down reaction that we get. The reality is that there will always be a challenge to whoever will be champions."
Neville believes United will be a threat to City retaining the title, while Arsenal and Chelsea will also be hoping to stake their claim.
"I think Manchester United will be up there again," continued Neville. "I don't think anyone is kidding themselves over that.
"The manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] being there obviously helps because he knows full well what it's been like to succeed, but also what failure has tasted like in this last 20 years - you can't win the league every year.
"The group of players that are there are also experienced and have been round the block so they know it is [about] fine lines - you can't win every single game all the time and you will have disappointments. It's how you respond to that.
"All clubs have aspirations and Manchester United are no different. You realise that you are competing with other clubs and you can't be arrogant about that."
Manchester City to feature 'new signing' in Limerick friendly
The Airtricity First Division side will play in a glamour friendly against Roberto Mancini's side before they begin their Premier League defence
Limerick FC have announced that they will play English Premier League champions Manchester City in a friendly at Thomond Park on Sunday, August 5 at 19:00 BST.
City are expected to field a full team against Pat Scully's side with Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and a 'new signing' touted to feature by the organiser of the event, Damien O'Brien of Iconic Worldwide Events.
Pearce admits 'it's a shame' Richards is classed as an overage player for Team GB
The Manchester City defender turned 24 last month, making him one of the older squad members and the boss suggested he will play in the centre of defence during the Games
GB manager Stuart Pearce has revealed his annoyance that Micah Richards is deemed an overage selection for the Olympic football squad by just a matter of months.
The defender has been included in the Olympic squad as one of the three designated players that are allowed to be over the age of 23, along with Welsh duo Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy.
The choice was met with surprise from some quarters after the Manchester City man snubbed Roy Hodgson by refusing to be placed on the Euro 2012 squad stand-by list earlier this summer. Other critics called for David Beckham to be called up after he helped with London's successful bid, and has since been an ambassador for the Games.
Although the former City boss ignored those suggestions, he admitted that the timing of Richards's 24th birthday last month, and thus his qualification as an overage player, is unfortunate.
"It's a shame with Micah Richards that he's an overage pick," Pearce told reporters.
"He misses out on being an underage player by a few months."
The former interim England manager, and current u-21 coach, then indicated that the player will take up a role in the centre of defence rather than on the right as he has done for his club.
He added: "I see him playing at centre-back than at full-back to be honest."
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal striker Van Persie is expected to be part of the club's pre-season tour to Asia unless Manchester City, who the Gunners play in Beijing, or Juventus make a move before then. Sunday Mirror
Real Madrid are confident of signing Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric in the next 48 hours. the Sun
Chelsea are set to beat Tottenham to the signing of Brazilian midfielder Oscar, 20, who plays for Internacional. Sunday Express
Ajax are thought to be in talks with two clubs about Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen, who is keen on a move to Manchester United or Barcelona. Sunday Mirror
Reports in France suggest that Laurent Koscielny, who is believed to have opened new contract talks with Arsenal, is a target for Barcelona. Metro
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says the club can sign two or three players without the need to sell any of his squad. Sunday Mirror
Cardiff are set to knock back Fulham's £2.5m bid for winger Peter Whittingham. the Sun
Senior black players are considering talks to discuss forming their own breakaway federation to deal with race and discrimination after the John Terry racism trial. the Sun
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs says he is preparing to become a manager and the Team GB football captain says he will use the Olympics to see what lessons can be learned from other sports. Sunday Mirror
Former Everton forward Graeme Sharp says former Liverpool striker Michael Owen would be a welcome addition at Goodison Park. talkShit
Former Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will be tempted back into management by Nottingham Forest. Sunday Mirror
Arsenal's new signing Lukas Podolski has urged striker Robin van Persie to stay at the club after the Dutchman said he will not be signing a new Gunners contract. the Sun
Tim Sherwood is set to be put in charge of the careers of Tottenham's youngsters - fuelling theories he is being groomed as a future boss. Sunday Mirror
GOLDEN BOLLOX - 25.09.2009
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor says he will not tone down his goal celebrations despite facing a Football Association charge of improper conduct for the way he reacted to scoring against old club Arsenal.Daily Star
Newcastle could be forced into administration if Kevin Keegan wins his £25m compensation claim against owner Mike Ashley.Daily Star
Valencia forward David Silva, who is reportedly being tracked by Manchester United, has no intention of leaving the Spanish club this season. (Daily Mirror)
Everton are demanding Blackburn striker El Hadji Diouf apologises for accusing the club's fans of throwing bananas at him.The Sun
more bollox soon ...
