Plenty of rumours doing the rounds today but what tales have been told and by whom?
First of all, the Daily Star are claiming that a host of clubs - including City - have been offered the services of Xabi Alonso.
According to Paul Hetherington: "The Real Madrid and Spain midfielder is out of contract this summer and his agents are sounding out Europe’s top clubs.
"But the Daily Star Sunday understands that City boss Manuel Pellegrini is interested in Alonso as a free-transfer signing.
"A deal in this month’s transfer window, though, would see Real require a fee."
Elsewhere, striker John Guidetti has made the headlines for the sixth day out of six, with Sky Sports suggesting that Stoke have made an enquiry about his availability.
Graeme Bailey writes: "The highly-rated Swedish youngster has been involved in recent weeks with Manuel Pellegrini's first-team, having overcome injury which sidelined him for all of last season.
"City are keen for him to gain more first-team experience and we understand that Stoke are in talks about a loan move.
"He enjoyed a brilliant campaign on loan with Feyenoord in 2012 and they were amongst the clubs keen on signing him again in January, along with clubs in Italy and Germany - but Guidetti is understood to be keen on a Premier League switch."
The Times and Sky Sports are also noting that West Ham are said to be keen to capture the services of Joleon Lescott.
The latter reports: "In a similar deal to that for Everton's John Heitinga, who turned down a move to Upton Park earlier this week, West Ham are willing to take over the remaining six months of Lescott's deal, with an additional two years on top.
"Turkish outfit Besiktas have previously claimed that they are hopeful of landing the England international, who is keen to secure regular first team football ahead of the summer's World Cup.
"Now West Ham are looking to entice Lescott to East London, and help bolster their relegation battle."
And finally, Kent Hedlundh - also of Sky Sports - is reporting that youngster Abdisalam Ibrahim is looking for a permanent move away from Manchester.
He claims: "The 22-year-old midfielder was drafted into City's academy system back in 2007.
"Since then, all of his senior first team experience has come away from the Etihad Stadium.
"Several loan spells have been taken in, including two in as many years at Stromsgodset.
"The Norwegian champions are among those hoping City can be tempted into a deal, and Ibrahim would welcome the opportunity to make a fresh start after enduring a frustrating time in England."
Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic told by Manuel Pellegrini to prove he's no £22million crock
The City boss has warned the summer signing from Fiorentina that he must prove his worth by the end of the season following a series of injuries and illness thus far
Manuel Pellegrini has warned Stevan Jovetic that he has until the end of the seasonto prove he isn’t a £22million crock.
The striker has made just five appearances for Manchester Citysince his summer arrival from Fiorentina and hasn’t been seen since lasting only 10 minutes of the Capital One Cup victory at Newcastle in October.
Jovetic, currently out with a hamstring problem having been sidelined by calf injuries – and being taken ill before a proposed comeback at Leicester –had a reputation in Italy for having a low pain threshold.
And while Pellegrini insists the Montenegrin can still play an important role, the City bossadmitted that he will judge the 24-year-old at the end of the campaign.
“It is very difficult to know with Jovetic,” said Pellegrini. “But I believe what the player says and if he says he has a muscle problem and I’m absolutely sure he has a muscle problem.
“We hope it was bad luck for the first part of the season and we can use him in the second half of the season because he is a very important player.
“It’s impossible for the players to be 100 per cent for every game, but there are different degrees of injuries. I am optimistic.
“At the end of the season, maybe I change my opinion. But at the moment, I continue trusting him.”
City face West Ham in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night with thousands of tickets still unsold. They are on course to face bitter rivals United in what would be a historic first all-Manchester final at Wembley.
But Pellegrini has warned fans not to take anything for granted against the struggling Hammers as he looks to win his first piece of silverware since guiding Villarreal to the Intertoto Cup a decade ago.
He said: “It will not be easy because first we have two games against West Ham. If we win a trophy playing the way we’re playing now – playing the football that I like – it is very important.”
Aguero return to training hands City boost
Sergio Aguero could make a comeback for Manchester City earlier than expected after the striker returned to training, according to The Sun.
Aguero has been sidelined with a calf injury since sustaining the problem during City's 6-3 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad in mid-December.
It had been initially feared that Aguero could miss the glamour Champions League last 16 tie against Barcelona in February.
However, City have been boosted by the news that their top scorer with 19 goals could be back for their clash against Cardiff on January 18.
The Sun quotes City boss Manuel Pellegrini as saying: "Sergio is working normally but I think he has at least one or two weeks more to go - probably two."
Edin Dzeko Transfer Rumours
The soothsayer warned Julius Caesar to "beware the Ides of March" in William Shakespeare's play about the life and death of the Roman dictator. With the January transfer window now open, Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko might need to beware the Ides of January.
It might not take manager Manuel Pellegrini more than half the month to offload Dzeko based on his recent performances.
Supernova Sergio Aguero has not played for City since their Dec. 14 trouncing of Arsenal at the Etihad. With the dense holiday schedule presenting City with scads of matches, Dzeko had ample opportunity to reestablish himself as an elite striker in Aguero's absence.
It has not happened.
Most recently, he was held scoreless by Blackburn Rovers—that's right, Blackburn Rovers—in an FA Cup third-round match that led to a draw and replay. Dzeko's strike partner, Alvaro Negredo, didn't sound too pleased with the prospect of a replay when speaking with Richard Jolly of ESPNFC.com:
There are a lot of games in January and maybe the last thing we wanted is another game but we did the right things and the rules are we have to play another game. In the end they did well and they forced the replay.
Dzeko's last goal came against Crystal Palace on Dec. 28. It was the match-winner. It was also an overdue strike, as he had squandered more than a good few chances in that match.
Before that, you have to go back to Dzeko's Capital One Cup brace against Leicester City on Dec. 14 to find his name on the scoresheet. Fattening up on the likes of Leicester City was just the sort of thing Carlos Tevez was doing last season. You will notice that Tevez is not around at the Etihad anymore.
Jolly noted in a separate piece for ESPNFC.com that Dzeko and Negredo's recent play suggests that, despite their most professional efforts, a successful partnership between the two is unlikely:
Negredo and Aguero form an instinctive, intuitive and prolific partnership. In the Argentine's absence, however, he and Dzeko are uneasy allies. Perhaps, as two target men, they are simply too similar.
If that is true, Dzeko's days on the blue side of Manchester are very likely numbered. Aguero is going to be healthy soon and Negredo is not going anywhere.
Dzeko does not lack for interested suitors. He never has.
According to a recent Manchester Evening News report, AC Milan are still hot for Dzeko: "AC Milan aren't ruling out a move for Edin Dzeko if they lose striker Mario Balotelli. Super Mario is being touted with a move to former boss Roberto Mancini at Galatasaray."
A stranger rumour from Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard suggests that Chelsea may come in for Dzeko. The story rightly notes that that deal probably will not happen, as Dzeko is "unlikely to be sold to a title rival, particularly as Sergio Aguero is currently sidelined."
That, and one imagines that Pellegrini would likelier douse a burning Jose Mourinho with petrol live on BBC One than sell Dzeko to Chelsea.
Regardless, Dzeko would be well-advised to pack a duffel with a few days' worth of clothes, toiletries and a banded pack of £50 notes.
He could well find himself borne on the tide in the affairs of men.
Lescott hits back at 'small group' of City fans
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has taken to Twitter to hit back at a group of Manchester City fans after the draw against Blackburn.
Lescott was part of the side that drew 1-1 at Ewood Park and afterwards criticised a section of travelling Blues supporters on the social media site.
He tweeted: "Can only apologise for not showin apperception after the game but some comments I heard from a small group of our fans were unnecessary
"Won't go into what was said but it was none footballer related & uncalled fore. Apart from that your support is always welcome."
Negredo bemoans FA Cup replay
Alvaro Negredo described an FA Cup replay against Blackburn as “the last thing” Manchester City needed.
The 2011 winners and last year’s finalists have had to abandon a planned winter break in the United Arab Emirates to face Championship side Rovers for a second time on January 15.
And it means City, who have played 11 matches since the start of December, face a further game in a crowded fixture list.
Negredo said: “There are a lot of games in January and maybe the last thing we wanted is another game but we did the right things and the rules are we have to play another game.”
The Spain international striker put City ahead on his FA Cup debut before Blackburn captain Scott Dann levelled after a mistake from goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.
And Negredo added: “It is difficult to play against a team that put a lot of pressure (on us). They also played long balls to their striker [Rudy Gestede] and that made it difficult for us. In the end they did well and they forced the replay."
City are still in the Capital One Cup and the Champions League and are second in the Premier League but Negredo said it will be very tough to win all.
He added: "It is possible because we are alive in the four competitions but obviously we know it will be very difficult. If we have any chance of doing that we have to play 100 per cent in all the games we have."
Alonso offered up to City & Utd
The agent of Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has been in contact with Manchester United and Manchester City to discuss a deal for the Spaniard’s signature, according to reports from the Daily Star.
The ex-Liverpool ace is currently one of the most sought after playmakers in Europe, with his contract at the Bernabeu set to expire in six months’ time.
Even though Alonso is one of Real’s most important players, he looks set to leave the club for free, with negotiations for a new deal said to be some way from being complete.
As a result, his agent has been in contact with English sides to discuss a possible switch.
A January transfer would require a fee, but with the midfielder’s age, 32, and the face he will be able to leave Madrid for nothing in the summer he is likely to be available on the cheap.
United are believed to be very keen, despite Alonso’s previous allegiance with their bitter rivals Liverpool.
City are also in the race, even though they possess a wealth of players able to operate in a similar position.
It is also thought that Chelsea have been contacted, but their pursuit of a striker may thwart a possible deal.
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GOLDEN BOLLOX 6-1-2010
Man City announce biggest loss in English history
Big-spending Manchester City have reported mammoth annual losses of £92.6 million - a figure which represents the biggest annual loss in English football history.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Still ready to buy.In fact, the figures run to May 31, 2009, and do not take into account last summer's transfer dealings in which over £100 million was invested by owner Sheikh Mansour. However, it does include the previous year, when City smashed the British transfer record to bring Brazilian superstar Robinho to the club for £32.5 million.
Another Brazilian, Jo, also arrived (although he has since joined Everton on loan), while Shay Given and Craig Bellamy were among a clutch of top-name players who joined 12 months ago.
City's chief financial and administration officer Graham Wallace said: ''The financial results reflect a period of rapid change at the club, the result of long-term planning and investment by the Board and our owners, to create a sustainable business in the future. We have always said that this transformation will take a number of years and these figures reflect that.''
On a normal business level, there have been areas of growth. Turnover increased by six per cent to £87 million, attendances rose to 42,890 from an average of 42,081 in the previous season, with ticketing revenues ahead by £1.8 million, mainly as a result of the extended UEFA Cup run. Television revenues also rose by 12% to £48.3 million, also as a result of UEFA Cup performance.
However, the figures represent a massive change at the club. While City's playing squad is the obvious example of money being poured in from Abu Dhabi, there have been other, less noticeable costs.Mark Hughes' demands to substantially improve the Carrington training ground were met. There were additional infrastructure costs, website and technology applications and staffing levels also went up.For Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, these were essential in the growth of what was a middle-ranking Premier League outfit to one, by their own admission, which is expected to secure a top four spot this season and win the title - for the first time since 1969 - next.
Figures reveal Sheikh Mansour has poured £395m into Manchester City
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan has invested £395m in Manchester City since buying the club in August 2008, it has been revealed.That huge and rapid expenditure is recorded in a document filed at Companies House on Christmas Eve, showing the cancellation of £305m which Mansour initially put into the club as loans. That includes some debt Mansour inherited when he took over the then stricken club from the former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, and his expenditure since on players including Robinho, Craig Bellamy, Nigel de Jong, Shay Given, Wayne Bridge, Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Joleon Lescott, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Touré and other investment in the infrastructure at Eastlands.
According to the document, all £305m of the loans from Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group were cancelled in return for new shares in the club. Mansour's group also bought further shares for £89.6m, to finance City's hugely increased wage bill and other expenditure this season. City last night released figures from their official accounts for the year to 31 May 2009, which includes the first nine months of Mansour's ownership. The club recorded almost a tripling of the previous year's loss, to £92.6m, caused, it said in a statement, "primarily by increased playing staff costs". Mansour's City, like Roman Abramovich's Chelsea, are promising that overspending and losses on this scale will not continue indefinitely, and the club will ultimately become sustainable. However, City will not put a date on that target. The losses are certain to continue into this year, because following the rush of summer signings the wage bill will far exceed the £82.6m it was understood to have risen to by 31 May last year. Mansour's more recent £89.6m investment for shares will partly absorb this year's losses.The financial figures provide some more context to last month's sacking of the former manager Mark Hughes and his replacement by Roberto Mancini, which was widely criticised for being too quick, and clinical. Crucial to the aspiration of breaking even is to reach the increased money which accrues from finishing in the Premier League's top four and qualifying for the Champions League.
Graham Wallace, City's chief financial and administration officer, said the figures reflect "long-term planning and investment, to create a sustainable business in the future". He described the decision to convert Mansour's loan to shares as "in line with [the owner's] previously stated financial strategy", adding that City are "on a secure financial foundation that gives a tremendous platform to build from in future years".
Liverpool and Spurs are both considering a move for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 28, who is currently playing at French side Lille. Daily Mirror
Norwich are hoping to revive a deal for Everton defender John Heitinga, 31, who last week abandoned a move to West Ham. DSSC
Newcastle are pondering a loan move for Borussia Monchengladbach's Luuk de Jong, 23, having previously tried to sign the Dutch striker in 2012 when he was at FC Twente. Sun
Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, 27 is being monitored by Manchester United and Arsenal after the German side confirmed that Robert Lewandowski will join the club from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, putting his place in the team under threat.
Wealthy French club Monaco are keen to sign up England Under-21 winger Thomas Ince from Blackpool in a bargain deal with the 21-year-old's contract with the Championship side due to expire in the summer. Daily Mirror
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed rumours that he would allow winger Raheem Sterling, 19, to go out on loan this month. TalkSHIT
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has moved to make former Manchester United academy players Magnus Wolff Eikrem, 23, and Mats Moller Daehli, 18, his first signings. Midfielder Eikrem is due to arrive from Heerenveen for £2m with Daehli coming from his former club Molde. DSSC
Derby chief executive Sam Rush has told suitors of teenage midfielder Will Hughes, who are believed to include Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, that the 18-year-old will not be leaving Pride Park in January. Daily Star
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert admits his squad lacks a creative link between midfield and attack and says he has identified potential players, who are expected to include Norwich's Wes Hoolahan, 31, and Porto's Steven Defour, 25. Birmingham Mail
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is convinced that English clubs will suffer when playing in Europe if they persist with a crusade over diving. Blues midfielder Ramires was booked for simulation during Sunday's FA Cup third round win at Derby. Daily Star
Former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, sacked by the White Hart Lane club in December, has emerged as a contender to succeed Massimiliano Allegri as manager of AC Milan when the Italian coach steps down at the end of this season. Times
Macclesfield Town will seek an explanation from Sheffield Wednesday as to why the Championship club have set admission prices for their FA Cup replay without consulting them and will try to get those prices [£10 for adults and £5 for concessions] increased. Daily Telegraph
West Brom striker Shane Long wants the club to sort out the managerial position as soon as possible. The Baggies have been without a permanent boss since Steve Clarke was sacked more than three weeks ago. Daily Mirror
Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies celebrated his team's FA Cup win over West Ham by challenging a journalist to a race for a pork pie. Metro
Out-of-favour Manchester United forward Wilfried Zaha, 21, is being targeted by former Old Trafford hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a loan move to Cardiff City. Mirror
Rafa Benitez's Napoli have not made a bid for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata and do not believe they can prise him away from Stamford Bridge this month. Benitez, who managed his Spanish compatriot at Chelsea last year, would like to take the 25-year-old on loan but Chelsea are unlikely to agree to such a request. DSSC
Porto's Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, 27, has revealed that he grew up supporting Arsenal and says he would love to join the Gunners this month. Metro
Manchester United target Fabio Coentrao has been told he can leave Real Madrid for £12m. The Old Trafford club missed out on the 25-year-old Portugal international last summer. Mirror
Chelsea are ready to make a £30m bid for Wayne Rooney, 28, if there are any problems with the Manchester United striker's proposed talks about a new contract. DSSC
Southampton's England striker Rickie Lambert, 31, wants to move to West Ham in an £8m deal but Saints will not allow him to go before they sign another forward. Sun
Chelsea are also considering a move for Nantes and Senegal centre-half Papy Djilobodji, 25. Star
Tottenham want Juventus strikers Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella, both 30, to replace Toronto-bound Jermain Defoe. People
Manager Neil Lennon is confident Celtic would be able to bankroll a £6m signing during the January transfer window. Daily Express
But the Scottish champions could be priced out of a move for Sunderland's Steven Fletcher, with Tottenham among a number of Premier League clubs keen on the striker. DSSC
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes there are too many foreign managers in the Premier League and has urged British coaches to follow the lead of Steve McClaren and work abroad as they look to advance their careers. Telegraph
Arsenal's Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, 25, will miss two months with an ankle injury sustained in the 2-0 win over Cardiff. Sun
League Two side AFC Wimbledon have asked supporters to provide a loan player with a bed for a few weeks with the club operating on one of the smallest budgets in league football. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 6-1-2011
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger blasts Manchester City's defensive approach during Emirates clash.
The Gunners could only manage a 0-0 draw against Roberto Mancini's expertly devised Citizens bunker.
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger was left frustrated after his side failed to break the deadlock during the match against Manchester City last night.
In a post-match interview, Wenger blamed opposition manager Roberto Mancini for coming to the Emirates with the intention of squeezing the life out of the game.
“They came for a 0-0 and they got what they wanted. We played for long periods against 10 men, even Carlos Tevez, I never seen him so deep.
"But I wasn't surprised, they came here last year set up to play for a 0-0.”, he said.
A glance at the post-match statistics goes a long way to confirm that City were in fact not overly concerned with scoring goals.
Mancini's side did not manage a single shot on target, while Arsenal registered eight shots at Joe Hart's goal.
The solitary point obtained by Arsenal and City, along with the losses of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, sees Manchester United extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table after recording a victory against Stoke City on Tuesday.
And the Frenchman realizes that his side dropped two costly points in the race for the title, while accepting that it will not always come easy for the title contenders.
"We always try to win our games always. Maybe it was their way to try to win, to defend deep and catch us on the break,"
"We have to respect that and sort out the problems we face. Even if a team defends deep we have to find a way to score.", he commented.
Sky Blues’ masterclass in negativity gets them booed off by Arsenal fans
Arsenal 0 Manchester City 0. It had been billed as one of the games of the season but a spineless showing from Manchester City ensured their goalless draw with Arsenal will go down as one of the most shameful encounters in the history of the Premier League.
The Sky Blues, second in the table going into the game, arrived at the Emirates with nothing on their minds other than to return home with a point. And for 90 minutes the world's richest club side gave a masterclass in negativity, not registering a single shot on target while gradually suffocating the life out of Arsenal.
The visitors' display enraged the Arsenal fans who booed City as the full-time whistle sounded, though the Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger was more philosophical in his assessment of City's tactics. "They looked to me like they were set up not to lose, if you look at the number of times the goalkeeper took time on the goal kicks and the number of times they went down and tried to gain time," said Wenger. "I think they were happy with a nil nil. I don't criticise them for that because they defended well."
Wenger's frustration was eased by results from elsewhere in the league, particularly the defeat of Tottenham at Everton and Wolves's 1-0 win against Chelsea, and he declared himself "happy" with the point, adding: "The team is on a strong run, there is a fantastic spirit, fantastic quality. I think there are more positives than negatives tonight, you have seen tonight that everyone can lose everywhere."
Nonetheless, Wenger will know City were there for the taking and but for the woodwork, and two outstanding saves from Joe Hart, Arsenal would have claimed the three points and closed the gap on Manchester United, who now have a two-point lead at the top over City with two games in hand. Arsenal are third, a further two points behind having played a game more than United, and Alex Ferguson must be grinning like a Cheshire cat this morning.
As early as the second minute Arsenal had carved open the City defence but Jack Wilshere's cross across the face of the goal was agonisingly out of reach of Robin Van Persie. Later in the first-half Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie – who looked sharp throughout – hit the post with fierce strikes, while a low drive from Wilshere forced a great save from Hart.
In the second half Arsenal were less threatening with Van Persie coming closest to scoring with a thunderous drive from the edge of the box that again produced a wonderful stop from Hart, this time leaping high to his right.
But other than the City goalkeeper's athleticism, the visitors were a disgrace to the good name of football and the match ended in ignominy with Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta dismissed for clashing heads after a touchline altercation.
Both managers condemned referee Mike Jones' decision to brandish the red card, but in Roberto Mancini's case it was nothing more than an attempt to deflect attention from his side's woeful tactics. Asked if he felt embarrassed with his side's display, the City manager tried to blame the performance on injuries, saying: "I think if we had David Silva and Mario Balotelli and all the players were 100 per cent it would be another game."
As it was, Mancini was pleased with the night's work and said the game has to be taken in the context of the entire season. "This is football. Not all teams can play like Arsenal. I think Arsenal also have won some games they don't deserve to win. In the first half they had the chances to score... We are in a good position, like Arsenal and like United. I think the season is very long. Also Chelsea and Tottenham have lost tonight but both can finish near the top."
The defeat of Chelsea was a stunning reverse for the reigning champions – the Blues have now won just one of their last nine matches - and for the first time manager Carlo Ancelotti talked of the possibility of losing his job.
"I'm under pressure because the team didn't reach the result we wanted," he said after a Jose Boswinga own goal in the sixth minute helped Wolves move off the bottom of the table. "I think it's obvious we are not good enough in this moment. I hope I can continue this job, because I would like to stay here and I have a good relationship with the players and with the club."
Balotelli Bollox
Mario Balotelli to Chelsea: Smart or Not?
It's January – don’t believe anything; but this rumour’s worth giving some lines to.
AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli could be frustrated, could be looking to move, and Chelsea might be on his shortlist of teams. We all know Chelsea need goals from strikers, thus the rumour makes sense, and it’s making the rounds.
There are five components to this supposed rumour: Mario Balotelli, José Mourinho, Roman Abramovich, the media and the Stamford Bridge faithful
Mario Balotelli
The 23 year-old is football's chief lightning rod; and it's his own doing. While surpassingly talented, Balotelli is his own worst enemy, and will continue to be until he's not. If the Italian international doesn't mature, the talent we all know resides in him will never reach its full potential -- which is a shame really. His previous job history would make him seem rather nomadic. Having donned the world-class kits of Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan within the space of five years, Chelsea would make four. It would seem a pattern of sorts -- similar to that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose Swedish boots must have graced every blade of grass in Europe by now.
What Balotelli needs is a home -- a club/city that will accept him for himself, and work with him -- not against him. Super Mario’s time in Manchester City looked an exercise in how to keep him quiet and tempered rather than getting him to score goals. If you want the goals he's sure to provide, you must accept the antics which accompany them -- it's that simple.
All-in-all having dealt with the likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, John Terry, Ashley Cole and other assorted characters along the way, Chelsea Football Club's had experience dealing with larger-than-life personalities over the past decade or so -- and for the most part have come out on top. Balotelli's a circus for sure, but nothing to be scared of -- just something of which to be cognisant before starting a relationship.
José Mourinho
A man well aware of the "Circo de Balotelli” is his former manager, and current Chelsea boss, José Mourinho. At Inter Milan their relationship would have been ticked: "It's Complicated" were Facebook terminology allowed. Mourinho definitely had his struggles with the Italian youngster, but despite them, the teenager played in 71 matches (with 21 goals) in two years for the Portuguese, so he obviously saw the potential.
After verbal flurries in the press and suspending him from Inter’s first team in 2009, you wonder if Mourinho sees Balotelli as an unconquered obstacle from the past, and would like another bite at the apple? Not to mention, Balotelli's tailor-made for the way Mourinho likes his strikers to play. Linking attacks, being clinical and being a nuisance to oppositional defenses are both hallmarks of the role and Balotelli’s skill set. His set-piece/penalty proficiency, defensive "want-to" and on-ball trickery are added bonuses to the Portuguese boss, considering the wingers and midfielders Chelsea possess.
The decision to bring Balotelli to Stamford Bridge would almost certainly be initiated by Mourinho. The self-proclaimed: "Special One" would have to want the task of corralling the striker, and at the same time, work with him to get the desired result of winning football matches. The Chelsea manager isn't afraid to bench players or talk about them in the press - Iker Casillas and Juan Mata being recent examples - so the fireworks that could go off should Balotelli think his minutes are on a diet could spell disaster for the player, manager and club. On the other hand (the optimistic-other-hand), should both parties come to an understanding the team’s been called "Chelsea Football Club" since 1905, and not "Balotelli FC" or “Mourinho FC,” everyone involved would stand to benefit.
Roman Abramovich
The man with the money, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Russian billionaire who's graced West London with his money and presence would have a decision to make. Unlike other owners around the country (cough: “Vincent Tan”), the Chelsea premier at the very least understands the game; and as such would know his side need goals badly. Chelsea fans would be plain greedy by saying Abramovich should spend more money on their team. If he were to sell Chelsea right now, he would have poured more than £1 billion (with a “B”) into the club; including paying off debt, acquiring players and managers, extending the global marketing platform and infrastructure upgrades that will last for decades to come. Chelsea fans should be more than content, but clamor for players they think will bring the club greater success -- more times than not they are marquee names, and come heavy fees.
Mario Balotelli would be a huge gamble. Valued at **£26.5M, he would not be the most expensive transfer the Russian has allowed, but he could be the most expensive in terms of patience (rivaling only Fernando Torres). Knowing the Italian striker won't easily be marshaled and could bring the wrong types of headlines to King’s Road, Abramovich has to weigh whether or not the goals his side needs are worth the drama Balotelli’s strikes bring.
Being a billionaire must include risk. A key deal here, a "yes" there, or a "no" to certain situations are what fortunes are built on; if Chelsea are to become a European force, on par with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, players with world-class quality and charisma have to be on the team sheet. Balotelli has both. It would be in the hands of Mourinho's boss to pony up the cash should the manager suggest an interest. After some deep and seemingly emotionless thought, you'd think he would.
The Media
Super Mario's relationship with the media isn't a good one. To be fair it's not all their fault. When Balotelli does stupid things, people want to sell papers off it – it’s capitalism; the same capitalism which pays his salary. That being said if the media want to sell more papers, maybe they shouldn't run people out of the country to avoid them. There's a balance to be had. If you run a reputation through the mud, and/or flood the market with the same stories -- people become sick of it.
The media want the transfer to happen otherwise they wouldn't report the rumour. Balotelli’s a polarising personality. You love him or hate him; but either way you want to know what he's up to. If Balotelli wants a return to England he would surly be accepting the fact the media will hound him, but if/when he realises he brings most of the attention on himself and adjusts accordingly, his profile both on the pitch and off it will greatly diminish.
Having recently signed a boot deal with Puma, his standing in the court of public opinion will need to remain positive for the relationship to continue. If reputation weren’t enough to maintain one's sanity, you'd accept millions of pounds would be.
Chelsea Supporters
Stamford Bridge wants goals and players who work for the shirt. If Balotelli scores -- they'll clap him off, and want him to play. If he puts in a shift -- they'll clap him off, and want him to play.
If he does neither: "Where's Romelu?" or "Buy Falcao!" will be on their lips.
It's a fickle world we live in, but one we love.
The club structure is secure enough; Mourinho can stay as long as he wants provided he wins the odd trophy (BPL, FA Cup and UCL being the targets); the owner loves the club and can take the hit to his wallet comfortably -- so it looks a smart buy.
The dressing rooms bears the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanović who will demand professionalism -- if he isn't playing well or acting in a mature fashion, Chelsea will always have options.
Balotelli's upside is too good to pass up should he become available. We say buy him -- at 23 years of age if he works you’ll have eight years of 20+ goals a season; if he doesn't, you’ll have four years to sell him on.
