Edin Dzeko did his best impression of fellow Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in a warm up.
Balotelli had earlier made himself look a complete fool when he tried, and failed to put a training bib on, not once but twice. Both times, the Italian striker who had been followed by Manchester United before his move to City, needed help from one of the City staff.
Roberto Mancini has admitted that the striker was "stupid" after getting himself sent off for an astonishingly mindless chest high challenge in City's Europa League tie with Dynamo Kiev, leaving City with ten men and in an unfortunate position.
Jose Mourinho, who was manager of Inter Milan when Balotelli played there also isn't a big fan of Balotelli's temper. He said:
“The guy has incredible qualities, but sometimes does not know how to use his brain."
At the moment, Balotelli is a joke. He is an easy target for rival fans because of the cockiness he showed earlier in his City career, his apparent disloyalty to City, his often static performances and petulant behaviour on the pitch. It's fair to say, he is no role model.
But then, what he needs is a role model - someone to look up to and look after him - because there is no doubt that the guy has talent. It seems that the 20 year old is finally coming to recognise that too, because after his omission from the Italian squad picked by Cesare Prandelli for the upcoming internationals, he spoke to the Italy coach. Prandelli said:
"I have heard from Balotelli. He understands that he made a fool of himself.
"He said to me: 'I need help. I always ruin everything but I care a lot about the national team.'
The sooner Balotelli grows up and takes some responsibility, the better. He could become a great striker - a great player, but when you are as confident and cocky as he is, you need to have the goals and the quality to back it up. Much like Cristiano Ronaldo did in his time at Manchester United. He matured into one of the best players in the world, and it is this kind of player that Balotelli wants to be like.
Lets start with Rooney. He isn't having the best of seasons, I'm sure even he would admit that. He hasn't scored the goals he would have like, he hasn't had the perfect touch that he had previous to the World Cup, and he hasn't been passing it well enough (50% pass rate against Tottenham). Balotelli on the other hand, when he has played this season has looked impressive, scoring 5 goals in 9 appearances for City, and there is somone who has noticed this.
"He [Rooney] is a very good player but not the best [striker] in Manchester"
From that quote, and from the fact that Balotelli is completely infatuated with himself, the only conclusion I can take is that he is saying that he is better than Rooney - he surely couldn't be praising another player, could he, like Carlos Tevez or even Dimitar Berbatov - joint top scorers this season. At the moment, you would have to agree, Rooney isn't the best striker in Manchester, he is far from it, but it is quite surprising that a player could be so confident (or perhaps cocky) to say such a thing.
Currently sidelined with a knee injury, Balotelli turned his head towards his, and two of his other team mates' brilliance. Claiming that him, Tevez and Dzeko are better than both Barcelona and Real Madrid's attack:
"Our attack of Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko is the best in the world. We are the strongest. Better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid."
Next, the former Inter striker had a bit of advice for Jose Mourinho. Although calling him the "best manager in the world", Balotelli commented on a couple of things the current Real Madrid manager needs improving on. Two things that, personally, I don't think Balotelli is an expert on himself: manners and respect;
"[Mourinho] is the best coach in the world, but as a man he still has to learn manners and respect. [Mancini] is the most important coach I've ever had. He'll soon become the No1 in the world. But already now, in terms of human qualities, he is two kilometres ahead of Mourinho, wait, make that 10 kilometres."
He is obviously a big fan of Mancini - of course not as big a fan than he is of himself, but a fan nonetheless, and it is nice to see that Mancini is held in high regard by Balotelli, he does after all have to manage the player every day on the training field. One manager he doesn't have this kind of respect for is Rafael Benitez. He was manager for Inter for a short period when Balotelli was in Milan:
"He just told me: 'You come after Milito, Eto'o and Pandev, fourth-choice striker.' I said: 'That's it, ciao.'"
It can be nice to see strong headed, confident players expressing their views and then backing them up on the football pitch with outstanding shows of brilliance. However, it is not great when a player like Balotelli, seemingly arrogant, smug, egotistical, over confident, cocky, insulting and self adoring insults fellow professionals time after time. He is only 20 years-old, and immature, but there is no doubting his obvious talents. I just don't see why he has to continuously tell the world about it as well as being disrespectful when he can just show his qualities on the field.
Okay is it me or does yesterdays incident at the Manchester City training ground bust up between Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor show that the Manchester City squad always seem like it's one spark away from blowing up?
I mean with combustible characters like Emanuel Adebayor, Nigel De Jong, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez what did everyone expect? They got rid of Craig Bellamy for his attitude and replaced him with quite a few "Craig Bellamys".
I will go through some of the incidents which have rocked City in the last 6 months just to show how the club has the ability to implode and try to come to own conclusions on the matter...
Carlos Tevez vs Roberto Mancini, Part 1 (October 3, v Newcastle)
This was early on in the season, October to be precise, at halftime in a match against Tevez was unhappy with what he perceived as the defensive set up of the team. He shared these frustrations with his teammates and Mancini overheard this and took exception to being criticized by one of his players.
Both men lost their tempers to the degree that Mancini said Tevez wouldn't start the second half. Eventually other players and coaches calmed the situation and Tevez was back on the pitch to help City win the match.
"The confrontation with Tevez was really ballsy. And in the second half City deservedly won. The alarm call worked well. We [Mancini and Tevez] sorted everything between us before the restart. And when I took him off at the end we shook hands again. Now and then a good shake-up is healthy."
I think this was a brilliant piece of spin from Mancini, he also retained control over the dressing room, after this incident the usually vocal Carlos Tevez made no public comment on what happened...
James Milner vs Yaya Toure (October 24, vs Arsenal)
This has to be the mismatch of the century 6ft 3 13 stone Yaya Toure has a bust up with 5ft 9 11 stone James Milner. City had a man sent off and were 3-0 down and tempers flared. This wasn't a major incident but Milner still felt the need to justify what happened to the press. Milner speaking to that reliable source of information The Sun... said "It was heat of the moment, it happens every single week, people wanting to win games
"There are no problems at all between me and Yaya, two people who want to win and it ends as soon as you step off field.
"It says we're very hungry to win. I think you would be worried if there wasn't that hunger and desire to win. Everyone here is desperate to win and win trophies. You'll see that in changing rooms up and down the country every week. "You'll hear people saying things and disagreeing, because players want to win matches."
Milner performing a Mancini-like spin routine out of the hole he was in. At this rate it looked like Manchester City wanted to win the league twice as much as challengers Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea who have had the combined number of 0 bust ups this season...
Emanuel Adebayor vs Vincent Kompany (October 30, vs Wolves)
This one was the first genuinely public spat involving two City players guess who was involved? One Mr Adebayor... This argument was about Kompany committing a foul on Wolves striker, Kevin Doyle. Adebayor felt the foul was needless and made that known to his teammate, Kompany responded to him by saying it was Adebayor who gave away the ball which led to the foul.
They ended up squaring up to each other (I'd put money on Kompany to win that one) but before the hand bags could be drawn Yaya Toure separated the pair. Adebayor went public to explain away the spat
"Sometimes you have to shout and bawl to try and get a reaction from your team-mates and sometimes that means getting them worked up in order to do the right thing for the team," Adebayor told www.mcfc.co.uk.
"That's what great teams do. It is all about passion and desire to do well and if Vincent and I are guilty of that, neither of us have a problem with it.
"We are really good friends and we have had a good laugh about some of the things that were written about us yesterday. It was funny because it is totally inaccurate.
"The press have treated it as though there has been some kind of massive fall out, but it couldn't be further from the truth - these things happen all the time in football at every club, either in matches or on the training ground and the only reason, as I say, is passion.
"Vinnie and I love this club and are passionate about helping to make it successful. If that means the odd disagreement, so be it.
"Trust me, if I have to have arguments with all my team-mates every single weekend in order to help us win the game, I will be doing exactly that and I would want the same in return."
Jerome Boateng v Mario Balotelli (December 3, Training Ground)
After a quiet November it was business as usual at the Eastlands after Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng got into a scuffle in training. Balotelli reacted after a tackle from behind by Boateng.
After they were separated manager Mancini was seen having words with both players and the pair were photographed making up although Boateng was still dropped for their next match.
Carlos Tevez vs Roberto Mancini (December 4, vs Bolton)
This was Tevez's most public spat with his manager. He scored to put his side in the lead against Bolton and was later substituted. He reacted badly to this and even shouted at his manager.
His manager Mancini so far has been careful at not criticising his players in public and again he defended his player “I’m happy for that. I’d like all the players to be like Carlos. At the moment, every player wants to stay on the pitch but I needed a player like Milner on there because he is taller than Carlos and better at set pieces. I have no problem with what Carlos said.”
I'm sure that wouldn't have been what was said privately but by not criticising Tevez in public he restored is own position at the club and ensured Tevez couldn't escalate the situation further.
Carlos Tevez vs Manchester City Board... (December 12, All Over The English Media)
This time it wasn't physical fighting that became an issue with Manchester City it was their Club Captain Carlos Tevez declaring a media war on some unnamed executives at the club and handing in a transfer request...
"Since signing for Manchester city, I have enjoyed playing for the supporters. They have welcomed me to the club and I regret that it has come to this.
"They deserve success as reward for their passionate and patient support. The club is very fortunate to have supporters like these. Anybody who has watched me play for Manchester City cannot question my commitment and passion for the club whenever I have worn the shirt.
"However, I can confirm I have handed a transfer request to the chairman of Manchester City Football Club. Now I need to clear my head and think because this is an important part of my career. My feelings have not changed and it is regrettable we have reached this situation but It is something I have felt for some time and have spent many hours thinking this through.
"I wanted to leave in the summer, but was convinced to return to the club. Sadly, my feelings have not changed. I hugely resent the management's suggestions that I have been unduly influenced by others. It was my decision and mine alone. I am disappointed that the management should now see fit to try to portray the situation in another light.
"My relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club has broken down and is now beyond repair. I do not wish to expand on this at this stage. They know, because I have told them. I wish to clarify that I have no personal issue with the manager Roberto Mancini.
"I could have signed an improved contract, offered by the club during this season; however this decision is not about money. I have made that clear to both the board and the management on several occasions. The owner has been very generous with what he has offered to me. I would like to thank Sheik Mansour for his understanding and support.
"I want to thank the supporters for making me welcome at Manchester City and hope they agree I have given my all for the club on the pitch."
So in this statement he keeps Mancini and the owner Sheik Mansour happy by keeping them free of criticism and also praising them in the statement he and he alone release obviously... He has now withdrawn his request to leave after City played hardball and didn't enter any negotiations with Tevez's representatives regarding how to keep Tevez happy, reiterating that he is still under contract and very well paid...
Emanuel Adebayor vs Kolo Toure (January 4, Training Ground)
Well now to our most recent and probably most violent episode of the Eastlands drama. Its a fight between well known trouble maker Adebayor and the usually much quieter Kolo Toure.
Media reports have suggested that there has been an ongoing feud between the two since Toure made remarks about player at City airing their grievances with the club and manager publicly. Many saw this as a thinly veiled attack on Adebayor and see this as a culmination of months of tension.
I think that this incident has accelerated the speed that City will get Adebayor off their books. His fight wasn't with any player at the club. Toure is respected and well liked by the owner of the club Sheik Mansour and is also vice captain.
Conclusion
Okay so from looking at the incidents to be honest most of them have happened since the beginning of the season that's not even six months as I said earlier. What is going on at Manchester City? The club have said on numerous occasions that this happens at every club. If this is the case why don't we hear about it? I mean I'm sure if two Manchester United or Arsenal players had a fight in training we'd hear about it. And with the on-pitch spats that is a very rare for any club only a few come to mind in the last five years.
I personally think these problems are due to the way the squad was put together. The management of the club has put together a group of players with various different personalities in such a short space of time, there is not hierarchy or understanding between the players. If you look at the captain of the club Tevez he is no leader of men and he has too many issues of his own with the club to keep control and resolve any spats between various players.
The one person who has come out with any credit is Roberto Mancini who has handled the issues he has come up against without compromising his own position and without giving the media a feeding frenzy. When he joined the club I wasn't a big fan, but now looking at whats been going on I couldn't see Mark Hughes handling this kind of squad full of volatile, high profile and yet very good players.
Ultimately I don't think these incidents are a major hindrance to City's quest for silverware as the players all, other than Adebayor, seem to want the same thing, to help City win a major trophy. All the bumps along the way like these are just something for us to write about, nothing more...
Money doesn't buy happiness apparently - even if you are a footballer. It has emerged that both Shay Given and Adam Johnson of Manchester City are becoming more and more frustrated by the lack of starts that they are handed, and have both threatened to leave the club if the situation doesn't change.
Johnson moved to Manchester City from Middlesbrough on 1 February 2010, and has since announced himself as one of the biggest English attacking forces from his position in the country. He was called up to the England first team and scored 2 goals against Bulgaria and Switzerland. Yet these achievements have not nailed him down a first team spot at Eastlands.
When asked if he would leave City in search of first team football, the 23 year old had this to say:
"Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it."
The City number 11 also described how bitterly disappointed he was to be left out against club rivals Manchester United:
"It is disappointing when you are not playing from the start in games like that. I was itching to get on. I was dying to play from the start not just come on. The manager has to make decisions but I was gutted to be left out."
Mancini is starting to choose Milner and David Silva ahead of Johnson in a 5-man midfield which supports the lone striker - usually Carlos Tevez. Many think that the young man deserves first team football as he has proved his brilliant technical ability as well as the great ability to create goals from nothing. His pace can also tear defences apart. However, Roberto Mancini is a far more defensive man than many City fans would like, and prefers to play with less emphasis on the attack, and more on defence. His 3 man defensive midfield of Barry, De Jong and Yaya Toure highlights this.
Shay Given knows how the left winger feels too, as the Irish goalkeeper said:
"My own personal situation isn't ideal as everyone knows and I have spoken about it in the past, so we will see what happens over the next couple of months in that respect."
"I want to be playing football and I have always said that, so hopefully something will happen in the New Year."
Arsenal may still be looking for a reliable goalkeeper and could make a move in January, despite the current good form of Lukas Fabianski, and Manchester United are still looking for an Edwin van der sar replacement, so his options are far from limited.
The rise of England number 1 Joe Hart has caused Given to feel isolated, and unable to get a fair run in the team, and having played over 350 games for Newcastle over a 12 year spell, he is not used to it.
Mancini needs to sit down with players such as Johnson and Given and make them feel wanted by the club. It is his job to do so, as it is these hard working, willing players that a team overcrowded with ludicrously over-paid players happy to take their pay cheques and sit on the bench, need.
After all of the build up, all of the talk, and all of the excitement churning in Manchester for the Manchester derby, it turned out to be the only goal-less game in the Premier League of the day.
"Tevez can win it on his own!" roared Joe Hart, "All talk!" cried Evra, "Chelsea will win the title!" screamed Roberto Mancini. If the build up was anything to go by, this game should have been one to remember, but unfortunately, it was the opposite to that.
The match fell victim of all of the hype. Much was expected of the clash of the Manchester clubs in what was expected to be a ferocious, controversy filled night - the closest we got to that was Rafael squaring up to Carlos Tevez - entertaining for a minute, but it is good football and goals we wanted to see.
Overall, United had the most possession of the ball, 53.4% to be precise, but could do very little with it. Likewise with City, when they had the ball, the United defence were too compact, and City players were not committed forward enough to mount to any real attacking threat.
Both teams had good periods where they pressurised the opposing defence, and kept the ball for long periods, but the stats don't lie, and with United having only 3 shots on target, while City had 2, you really didn't miss much if you did happen to skip the game.
United remain unbeaten this season, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson was disappointed with the draw
"City are very difficult to beat on their own ground and obviously they set their stall out," he told Sky Sports.
"I think there was too much tension for it to be kind of match people thought it would be. They set their stall out in the second half and made it very difficult for us.
"It's a decent result but we don't count draws away from home as the target before the game. Our target is to win the game and I think we had enough possession to do that
"Some of our football was good, we were good on the ball but we needed to create openings to win the match and we only really made two which was difficult."
Roberto Mancini on the other had was just happy his team improved on last seasons result.
"I think it was a difficult game for both teams. I think the result is correct but we improved from last year because we didn't concede a goal in the last minute.
"I wanted to win this game but sometimes it is better to draw than lose. We played the game to win, though."
Manchester United and Manchester City fans' heart rate would have been ever so slightly higher watching this game, but it was nothing compared to the 4 - 3 classic at Old Trafford last season, and the tense 0 - 1 win at City last year too. However for the neutral viewer, well, it wasn't great.
