Balotelli needs a 'kick up the arse' - Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that if Mario Balotelli was his son he would give him "a kick up the arse" for his smoking habit

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Mario Balotelli has frequently found himself in the headlines this season

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that if Mario Balotelli was his son he would give him "a kick up the arse" for his smoking habit.
Balotelli, 21, has been no stranger to the limelight following a string of off-the-field misdemeanours, including recently escaping unharmed after his bathroom was set on fire by a firework.
His displays on the field, though, have been impressive, with the Italy international scoring six times in 17 Premier League appearances for Premier League leaders City.
Revelations that Balotelli smokes have again sparked debate over the forward's professionalism, but Mancini is relaxed over the issue, insisting he will not be taking any action to stop the habit.
"For me it is not ok but I am not his father," he said. "If he were my son, I would give him a kick up the arse but he is not my son.
"I have told him it is better that he doesn't smoke because I am always against cigarettes and that's why my son doesn't smoke.
"There are players in Italy who smoke and some over here but I don't think he smokes a lot - maybe five or six a day."

Bride makes own dress out of football shirts

Simon and Karen

Manchester City fan Karen Bell stunned her equally fanatical husband-to-be Simon by walking down the aisle on their wedding day in a dress made out of old City shirts.

The creative 38-year-old made the dress herself out of Simon's collection of shirts to ensure she had a unique "something blue" for her big day.

What's more, rather than popping off to a tropical paradise after the wedding, the pair went straight to the Etihad stadium after the ceremony to watch their heroes beat Stoke City 3-0.

"It was the day of a match so Simon said I would have to turn up in a City shirt. That set me off thinking and I decided to do this," Karen told the Manchester Evening News.

"We wanted to do something different because we have both been married before.

"It was a labour of love. I was at the sewing machine six nights a week."

At the match, Karen admitted that both she and her 49-year-old husband were treated like royalty by fellow fans impressed by their fanaticism.

"Everyone was stopping us to take pictures on the way in. We thought about going corporate but we have had season cards for years and we know everyone around us so we just went in our normal seats.

"It was brilliant — everyone kept buying us drinks."

Simon admitted he was stunned when he saw what his new wife had done.

"I was amazed when I saw her. The shirts were in a suitcase in the loft and I sacrificed them as a demonstration of my commitment.

"We didn't tell any of our friends and when we met them before the match in the Summerbee bar they couldn't believe it.

"I should have charged for pictures," he said.

The couple have had plenty to celebrate this year too. Earlier this year Manchester City won the FA Cup and are currently top of the Premier League table.

The dress front and back

Karen takes the dress to the streets

Close up of the back of the dress

Mancini told Bridge to leave City two years ago

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has hit back at defender Wayne Bridge and revealed he told Bridge two years ago he had no future at the club

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Wayne Bridge looks to be on his way out of Manchester City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has hit back at defender Wayne Bridge and revealed he told Bridge two years ago he had no future at the club.
Bridge has featured just once for City this season, in a Carling Cup tie against Birmingham, and has been forced to train with the youth team by Mancini, who wants to offload Bridge in January.
Mancini recently mocked Bridge, insinuating that the left-back was content to stay at City for a reported £90,000 a week, but Bridge hit back, claiming City had blocked any prospective transfers.
But Mancini insists he told Bridge two years ago he was surplus to requirements at Eastlands, and says he hopes Bridge and Nedum Onuoha will leave the club during the January transfer window.
"Bridge said I don't speak to him. That is not true," Mancini said. "I spoke with Bridge last season and the season before, two years ago.
"I said 'Wayne you are not part of our plans, it is better that you find a good solution for you, because if you stay here it is difficult for you to play'. So Bridge has known about this situation for two years."

Milan striker Alexandre Pato may be bargaining chip in Carlos Tevez deal

 

Pato of AC Milan

Milan striker Alexandre Pato has hinted at a rift with manager Massimiliano Allegri that could see the Brazilian swap clubs with City rebel Carlos Tevez next month.

Milan head the queue to take Tevez off City’s hands and opened discussions during a two-hour meeting in London last week.

But the Blues are beginning to doubt whether the Italian giants have the financial clout to come anywhere close to their £25m asking price, while refusing to entertain the
possibility of a loan deal.

Juventus and Corinthians are still reported to be monitoring Tevez’s situation, but Paris Saint-Germain’s interest is thought to have cooled.

Pato, meanwhile, has thrown his future into doubt by having a dig at Allegri, opening up the possibility that the 22-year-old could be used as a makeweight to help Milan meet City’s valuation.

In the summer, Roberto Mancini insisted he needed four strikers to mount challenges at home and abroad.

Tevez’s unauthorised trip to Argentina has left him with three – Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko – and Pato, who has fallen behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho in the pecking order at the San Siro, would bolster his attacking options as City challenge on four fronts in the second half of the season.

“I would like to have a more direct relationship with Allegri,” said Pato. “If he thinks it is right to criticise me, then I have to keep my head down and work. I have to respect what the coach says.

“But the fact remains that if he has seen something wrong with my game then he should come to me directly so we can discuss it.”

Roberto Mancini predicts a derby of destiny

 

Roberto Mancini

The title race could be decided in a winner-takes-all Manchester derby in late April.

That is the view of Blues boss Roberto Mancini as City and United head into 2012 neck-and-neck at the top of the Premier League.

But the Italian has warned his team that firstly they need to meet the challenges of the next two months if they are to stay in the fight and set up a momentous grandstand finish with the Reds,  third game from the end of the season.

“If we are strong enough, I think it will be decided with the game at home, probably,” said Mancini, who is resigned to losing top spot on Saturday when United face Blackburn and the Blues don’t play for another 24 hours.

Mancini was given a boost ahead of a hectic January schedule with news that his squad will be back at full strength.

The Blues will have Micah Richards and Aleks Kolarov both back from injury in time for the New Year’s Day trip to Sunderland, which kicks off a spell in which they could play an amazing 11 games in 35 days.

And with Owen Hargreaves also expected to be in the reckoning, the medical bulletins will be music to the ears of Mancini, who will need all of his 25-man squad available as the Blues pursue glory on three different fronts.

Richards suffered a calf strain in the win over Stoke, and Kolarov has been out for over a month with a groin problem.

Both could have been forced back into action in the goalless draw at West Brom on Boxing Day, but Mancini decided to give them an extra week to recover, given the demands of next month.

Richards travelled to the Hawthorns but was left out of the matchday squad.

Mancini told M.E.N. Sport: “We didn’t want to take any risk with Micah because we play a lot of games in the first ten days of January.

“It was better to leave him out. And Kolarov is okay – it is the same situation.”

City and United go into 2012 locked in a battle for the Premier League title.

 

Roberto Mancini

1. Central midfield

When the Blues went up against reigning champions United at Old Trafford in October one thing was glaringly obvious above all other observations.

The City midfield was too good, too strong, too slick and too sharp for the Reds.

Yaya Toure, David Silva and Gareth Barry against Darren Fletcher and Anderson – it was a mis-match all day long, and the contrast leapt off the team-sheet long before kick off.

City had a player on the bench in Nigel de Jong who would be an automatic choice if he was in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad.

For all their goals, and defensive solidity, it is the engine room which has driven City’s success. Even at this early stage of the season Barry, Silva and Yaya should be in the running for Footballer of the Year.

2. City will get better

That may sound like a bold statement when you consider what the Blues have achieved in the first half of a breathtaking season - a 6-1 win at United, a 5-1 at Tottenham, nine wins from nine home games, and club and league records tumbling left, right and centre.

But there are players in the squad who are still settling in.

Sergio Aguero has scored 15 goals, an astonishing strike rate for a player in the first half of a new season in a new league in a new country.

But he gives the impression, as David Silva did last year, of a man who is just getting started.

Samir Nasri is another. He has flattered to deceive and is yet to find his feet in this team. When he, and Aguero, do so, the Blues will be truly formidable.

3. The goalkeeper

City have, without doubt, the best goalkeeper of all the title challengers.

That does not just apply to his ability to keep the ball out of the net, but his all-round contribution to the team, the squad and the club.

Hart is exceptionally level-headed and thoughtful for a member of a profession which prides itself on being more than a little eccentric.

With United and City tied at the top going into New Year’s Eve, it is starting to look like the title could be decided by a matter of degrees, here and there.

Hart is the kind of keeper who wins you games with a great save here, a safe piece of handling there.

David de Gea has improved, but when the heat is on later in the season, any manager would prefer to have Hart backing up his defence.

4. The momentum

The feeling around City is of a football club moving inexorably forward towards a bright new destiny.

That sense of forging onwards and upwards has permeated the team, and the players remaining after Roberto Mancini’s two years of culling are all on board.

The progress has been evident ever since Mancini took over – he has methodically improved the way his team defends, and now attacks, and that process is still happening.

United have risen to the challenge, but you still get the feeling that they are in the last throes of a glorious era, like the fading days of Rome.

City will get stronger as the weeks and months go by, but you wonder whether United have the strength in depth to match that forward march of their rivals.

5. Mario Balotelli

Forget the fireworks, the daft hats, the bling, the darts and the grass allergies. Beyond the wacky world of Super Mario lies a seriously good footballer.

We are constantly reminded, when Mario’s latest escapade pops up on the news pages, that he is very much a big kid, in need of a dose of maturity. But that also applies to his game, despite the fact he has been operating at a very high level, in Serie A  and the Premier League, for four years now.

But one thing which Balotelli brings to City, apart from a sense of fun and fantasy, is the ability to pull off the unpredictable, to find a gap where none appeared to exist.

He did it against Everton, he did it to begin the rout of Old Trafford, and he very nearly did it when hitting the bar with a surprise shot at West Brom on Boxing Day.

When things get tight in the title race, don’t bet against Mario making the difference.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini rules out Daniele de Rossi move

 

DEMANDS: Mancini is becoming frustrated with asking price being set by other clubs

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has ruled out a January move for Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi.

The Italy internatonal, 27, has been touted as a potential City purchase for some time.

And with Mancini concerned about his options when Yaya Toure departs for the African Nations Cup next month, there had been suggestions City would make a move for the 2006 World Cup winner.

However, while Mancini concedes he may need to bring in reinforcements, he doubts whether De Rossi can be prised away from the Italian capital.

"I don't think so," said the Blues boss. "De Rossi was born in Rome and it's unlikely that he'll leave the city.

"There are players that could be good for us. But every time we want to buy a player their clubs ask for lots of money."

And that creates a problem. Not so much with the cost - Sheikh Mansour has pockets deep enough to sign any superstar who becomes available - but with Uefa's Financial Fair Play structures.

It means City have to start unloading some of the players they no longer need.

Negotiations with AC Milan over an exit for Carlos Tevez have already begun, although they may become protracted.

Mancini has already questioned why Wayne Bridge prefers to remain surplus to requirements when there are clubs of a decent size who would like to sign him, with Celtic reportedly interested.

And former England Under-21 international Nedum Onuoha is another player with senior experience who has no future at the Etihad Stadium.

"We need to sell two or three players and then we'll see," Mancini said.

"Until now we have been lucky because we haven't had any big injuries.

"I hope it can be like that in January but if not, we may have time to buy someone. It's not easy though."

Manchester City's Etihad Academy plan approved by council

 

The training complex will house 17 youth and first team pitches

Manchester City plans for a footballing academy and training complex in the east of the city have been backed by the council's planning committee.

The proposed youth development and first team academy in Openshaw will be built on an 80-acre brownfield site next to the Etihad Stadium.
It will include 17 pitches and a 7,000 capacity stadium for youth matches.
Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said it was excellent news for the local community.
A club statement said: "We're delighted with today's announcement and remain committed to support the completion of the process which obviously includes the upcoming review period."
Job opportunities Sir Richard said: "The Etihad Stadium and Campus are at the heart of the regeneration of the wider East Manchester area and the fact that these plans have been approved is excellent news for the community.
"This will not just create another world class sporting facility in the city, it will also create jobs and other opportunities for local residents."
He added: "It's one of the earliest manifestations of how the partnership between Manchester City Football Club, the council and New East Manchester will deliver significant community and economic benefits in the years ahead.
"As we go into an Olympic year, this will also help cement the city's reputation as a place where sporting talent is nurtured."
The complex is to be built on land that the club has purchased in the area over the last two years.
Forming a large part of what Manchester City is calling the Etihad Campus, it will cater for up to 400 young players, 40 of whom will be accommodated and schooled on site.

Watching brief: Manchester City keep close eye on January transfer potential

 

Roberto Mancini at Thursday's Sports Personality of the Year award with Jessica Ennis (left) and Young Sports Personality of the Year golfer Lauren Taylor

Manchester City will only be forced into the transfer market next month if they hit an injury crisis in the next few weeks.

The Blues’ priority in January is to shift Carlos Tevez from the club, and also sell Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha, and they admit it is unlikely there will be any incoming players, at least until the summer.

But manager Roberto Mancini is afraid that if they suffer any injuries to midfielders, and Owen Hargreaves cannot prove his fitness, he will be left short in the engine room.

City have not entirely given up hope that the Ivory Coast FA could be persuaded to delay their call-up of the Toure brothers until after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg with Liverpool on January 11, and even the trip to Wigan five days later.

“It is difficult, but I think they will leave us after the United game,” said the Blues boss.

Mancini has hinted the extent of the Blues’ transfer intentions would be dependent on whether they could keep Yaya until the week before the African Nations Cup begins on January 21.

But he now says the fitness of the rest of the squad, and whether they can shift players off the wage bill – and garner fees for them – will also play a part.

“First we need to sell some of our players and after that maybe we can do something, but at the moment there is nothing,” said Mancini.

Roberto Mancini: I don't understand how Tevez and Bridge could be happy not playing at Manchester City

Roberto Mancini today hit out at the attitude of unwanted City duo Carlos Tevez and Wayne Bridge.
The manager wants to see the back of both players during the January transfer window, adding that he can’t understand why they are happy not to be playing.
Tevez has been pictured playing golf, sunbathing and partying in his native Argentina after going AWOL last month.
And ex-England man Bridge has turned down a move to Celtic, as well as snubbing potential moves to Championship clubs.
He has continued to collect his £90,000-a-week wage, for which he has played one Carling Cup game and been on the bench for two more.
There are no signs that the Tevez saga will be concluded next month, even though AC Milan officials are expected to meet with City tomorrow and Paris St Germain are monitoring developments.
The Italians still want a six-month loan with a promise to buy in the summer, but City remain intractable on that, despite Mancini hinting yesterday that a legally-binding guarantee might be enough.
But Mancini said, while he had taken no notice of the pictures of Tevez relaxing in Argentina, he was concerned about the player’s future, and remains puzzled about how the rift occurred.
“He is 27 years old and any player can’t stay for a year without playing. I have other things to think about than Carlos playing golf.
“We had a good relationship and what happened was really strange for me, and frustrating.
“I also had good behaviour from him and don’t know what’s happened. I hope we can find a solution.”But Mancini did admit that City would be better placed to win things if Tevez had stayed.
“With Carlos in the squad we were better, because he is a fantastic striker,” he said. “We were better 100 per cent.”
Mancini also hopes that Bridge and Nedum Onuoha will secure moves in the transfer window.
Onuoha saw a possible move to Bolton fall down on deadline day and a hasty attempt to set up a move to Everton also fell through. But Bridge turned moves down and that has
puzzled Mancini.
“I don’t understand why there are some players that maybe have a good chance to go and play, maybe not in the Premier League but in the Championship, and don’t go,” he said.
“I don’t know why you would want to stay at a club where you can’t play.”

Toure brothers determined to hand Manchester City fans the ideal present

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Kolo Toure of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with brother and team mate Yaya Toure

City are planning to give their fans the perfect festive gift – a place on top of the tree.

And the men bringing tidings of comfort and joy to the Blues’ faithful are the Toure brothers, as they aim to sink Stoke tomorrow to ensure they spend Christmas Day on top of the table for the first time since 1929.

Kolo Toure insists the team is determined to make up for the disappointment of last Christmas, when City could have claimed top spot but lost at home to Everton – the last time they were beaten at the Etihad Stadium.

“We want to make our fans happy by staying top,” said Kolo, who pledged to keep the remarkable home run of 26 wins and two draws going.

“It will definitely mean more for everyone to be top at the end of the season.

“When we play at home, our fans push the team to do well. Every time we try to win the game, and at the moment we look unbeatable at home.

Hopefully that can keep going.”

One question mark against the Blues’ title hopes will come next month when Kolo and his influential brother Yaya depart for the African Cup of Nations.

They could miss up to six City matches if Ivory Coast – who are favourites to win it – reach the final on February 12.

They will both seek dispensation from the Ivory Coast FA to remain at City until after the Monday night trip to Wigan on January 16.

Said Yaya: “We are due to join training on January  11. The confusion is because in England we don’t stop playing – in Europe they stop for two weeks at least, and you have time to go to train.

“In the Premier League we don’t stop, and play every three days from Boxing Day. I hope I can go later, maybe on January 16 or 17 as the African Cup of Nations starts on January 21.”

Yaya’s absence will be a severe test of City’s midfield strength, but the big man is confident the Blues can keep the flag flying high until the brothers return.

Man City back on top after edging Arsenal

Man City   1 - 0   Arsenal

    
David Silva nips in to score his sixth goal of the season after 53 minutes 
 

Manchester City returned to the Premier League summit after a brief hiatus as they beat Arsenal in a thrilling game.

Following Manchester United's lunchtime win over QPR, David Silva pounced after Mario Balotelli's shot was saved to score the only goal of the match.
Sergio Aguero could have made the win more comfortable but fired over early on, while Pablo Zabaleta hit the post.
Arsenal had a number of chances though, and Joe Hart saved from Gervinho, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.
Robin van Persie could not find his 20th goal of the season either, with a shot saved and a goal ruled out for offside, as the hosts restored their two-point lead at the top over their city rivals.

Mancini happy with 'important' win

Following their defeat by Chelsea last Monday, the result was the perfect response from Roberto Mancini's team, who ended Arsenal's unbeaten run of eight games while maintaining their 100% home record this season.
It also means that City remain unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in 2011, having drawn just two of 28 games in the last year.
While it was an even contest, Aguero should have put City ahead in the first five minutes when Gareth Barry found Zabaleta down the left in a flowing move.
But although Aguero controlled the resulting cross he blasted his shot over the bar from 10 yards out.
City's leading league scorer had another chance soon after, but was snuffed out by the recovering Arsenal defence when he cut inside from the inside right channel.
A frantic opening period also saw Hart twice save in quick succession, first stopping Gervinho's angled shot and then tipping Ramsey's effort from the resulting corner round the post.

MAN CITY'S GOAL GLUT

• City have now scored 50 goals after 16 Premier League games at an average of 3.125 goals a game

The Gunners defence again featured four centre-backs and was not so smart when Per Mertesacker allowed Balotelli to shoot from close range, but keeper Wojciech Szczesny saved well and showed further signs of his recent improvement when he saved another Aguero effort.
Former Arsenal players Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure were named in the City line-up but French midfielder Nasri's mixed form continued when he gave the ball away, leading to another Ramsey chance.
Having reached the break without conceding, the Arsenal defence was forced into a reshuffle two minutes after the re-start when Ignasi Miquel replaced Johan Djourou.

Wenger queries offside decisions

That meant Laurent Koscielny moved to right-back, and he was nowhere to be seen when Balotelli checked his run to stay onside and cut in from the left to play a key part in the goal.
His shot was saved again by Szczesny but when the ball broke to Silva, following Aguero's headed attempt, the Spaniard made no mistake from two yards out for his sixth of the season.
Walcott almost hit an instant reply, in what was one of his first meaningful contributions, and there followed a pulsating period in which Aguero fired wide, Hart saved from Van Persie and Zabaleta hit the post from 20 yards.
Nasri also played a fine one-two with Silva but overhit his pass with Balotelli waiting to pounce.
City boss Mancini took steps to secure the lead as the visitors looked for an equaliser and with the game entering the final stages, Hart was again on hand to tip Thomas Vermaelen's drive over the bar.
And the City keeper was relieved to see another long-range Vermaelen effort curl past the post as City hung on.

Paris St Germain prepare £21m bid for Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez

 

Carlos Tevez

Paris St Germain are set to enter the race for Carlos Tevez’s signature with a concrete offer for the wayward Manchester City striker.

But, contrary to reports, the Blues have received no bids for the Argentine international who remains in his home country after going absent without leave nearly five weeks ago.

M.E.N. Sport understands the French club, bolstered by Qatari money, are preparing a bid of around £21m in the January transfer window.

That moves them ahead of AC Milan in the chase for Tevez, with the Italians insisting that they only want Tevez on a six-month loan with an option for a possible £19.5m purchase next summer.

That is not enough for City, who travel to  Chelsea in the Premier League tonight, but Milan are adamant they will not increase their offer.

City would only contemplate a loan if Milan signed a legally-binding contract which ensured they would come up with the money at the end of the temporary transfer. City suspect that Milan simply want Tevez as cover for Antonio Cassano as he recovers from minor heart surgery.

Last season, City allowed striker Emmanuel Adebayor to go to the Bernabeu on loan on the understanding the move would be made permanent last summer.

Instead, Madrid used him as cover for the injured Gonzalo Higuain and then made no move to sign him.

Now Tevez’s camp, who have been touting their man to Serie A clubs are stuck in a dilemma.

Tevez wants to go to Milan  but, if PSG’s plans come off, the only viable offer on the table will be for him to go to France.

That was recognised by Milan’s chief executive Adriano Galliani, who said: “The ball is in Manchester City’s court. It’s true that PSG entered into negotiations. We know that the City board want to sell their player.

“We just hope they will accept our offer, because it will not change. I would not say I am optimistic or pessimistic. I just know that Tevez’s preference is to go to Milan but convincing City to loan instead of selling is not easy.”

PSG  director of football Leonardo confirmed that his club are in the running.

He said: “I spoke to the player’s agent and he told me he preferred to go to Milan but Manchester wants to sell and not loan. If City finally agree to lend, Tevez goes to Milan and the case is closed. Otherwise, the market is open.”

Meanwhile Juventus, who have also expressed an interest, are watching developments.

Roberto Mancini can be Manchester City great - Colin Bell

 

Colin Bell made 394 appearances for Manchester City scoring 117 goals 

 

Former Manchester City midfielder Colin Bell believes Roberto Mancini can emulate the success Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison brought to the club.

The 65-year-old won the league, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup during his time under those managers.
"He's another manager with a magic wand that whatever 11 he turns out the play for him, they perform and they get the result," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"It's absolutely brilliant and I just hope he stays forever and a day."
Bell joined City from Bury in 1966 for £45,000, and played for the club until 1979 when he was forced to retire due to a serious knee injury.
Recognised as one of their greatest ever players, Bell was so popular at Maine Road that, when the club moved into their new stadium at Eastlands, one of the stands was named The Colin Bell Stand.
The former England midfielder still attends matches and following the huge investment in the squad made by owner Sheikh Mansour, has particularly been enjoying his trips to the Etihad this season.

"I used to think years ago 'is it going to be a draw today?'" added Bell.
"I just think we're going to win at home every game and it's just a matter of how many we're going to win by, and it's down to him [Mancini].
"He certainly knows how the English game works, plus the fact that he's been fiddling with which is his best team for 12 months now, so he knows what to do and what not to do.
"When I'm at Eastlands on a match-day I don't even look at the team sheet as it doesn't even bother me. I know whichever 11 he turns out they're going to perform.
"The start couldn't have been better, absolutely brilliant. I'm expecting at the end of the season there is probably a couple of trophies added to what we've got already."

Colin Bell is 'In the Spotlight' on Thursday, 8 December talking on topics including how writing his autobiography saved his life and how he dealt with the injury that forced him to retire. If you miss the show you can listen again via the iPlayer or download the podcast.

Blues battle plan: Roberto Mancini eyes key spell for Manchester City

 

STRATEGY: Roberto Mancini

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes the Blues put one hand on the Premier League trophy in the next two months.

The league leaders face a stern test of their title credentials in the coming weeks with tough fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal before Christmas.

January appears even more imposing with three clashes against Liverpool - including the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final - a visit from Tottenham and the start of the FA Cup defence against arch-rivals Manchester United.

City will also have to make do without their midfield inspiration Yaya Toure, as well as his defensive brother Kolo, early in the new year due to their involvement in the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.

The Toures will return before City begin their Europa League campaign in mid-February and Mancini hopes his team have asserted their dominance by then.

Mancini said: "We have done well but the season is long.

"Now we have two difficult games against Chelsea and Arsenal.

"I have said before the next two months will be important months.

"Yaya is an important player for us - we don't have any other players like Yaya.

"We will probably lose an important man for one month at a crucial moment.

"For this reason I think if we do well in January, and we are top after January, it will be difficult to lose."

Yaya Toure has played more than any other outfield player for City this season and has started every non-Carling Cup match.

City have other midfield options in Gareth Barry, James Milner, Nigel de Jong and Owen Hargreaves but the 28-year-old former Barcelona player will undoubtedly be missed.

Mancini said: "The Europa League will start in February.

"Yaya will finish the African Nations Cup by February 10-11 and then he can come back.

"It is important in that month that we don't have players injured.

"If we don't have players injured I think we are strong enough for the FA Cup and Carling Cup."

Roberto Mancini stung by Manchester City's Champions League exit

 

Sergio Aguero leaves the field

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admitted it was tough to take the Blues' Champions League exit after winning 10 points in Group A.

City bowed out of this season's competition despite a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich as Napoli beat Villarreal by the same scoreline.

"We go into the Europa league. It's another trophy and it's an important trophy for Manchester City," Mancini told Sky Sports 2.

"It's a disappointment because we wanted to play in the Champions League.

"10 points is very difficult to go out.

"If you are in the final [of the Europa League] it will be very important because I've never won the Europa League.

"We are a good team. We played well, we're very sorry for our supporters and I'm sorry for our players.

"I think we need to improve as a team because we got a tough group [in the Champions League] this year.

"Congratulations to Napoli, they got one point more than us.

"Now we are the top of the Premier League and the season will be long but we want to improve on last year in the Premier League."

Manchester City in no rush to fill gap if Carlos Tevez exits in New Year

 

Carlos Tevez

 

City will not seek to replace Carlos Tevez if they manage to off-load him in next month’s transfer window.

The Blues will be in selling mode going in to the mid-winter window, with Tevez top of their “unwanted” list, followed by Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha.

But M.E.N. Sport understands that City will not be tempted to beef up their squad with another big spend – although they will look at loan options and possible bargain buys.

News that the Blues have given Tevez’s advisers permission to tout his services around Europe has heightened speculation that City may dip into the transfer market, either to replace the AWOL striker or to add to their midfield options.

City have already expressed an interest in Napoli strike pair Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, while manager Roberto Mancini is a long-time admirer of Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi.

The fact that de Rossi still has not signed a new deal with Roma has  raised a few eyebrows in Italy, and City still feel they are short of a midfielder, a problem which will be heightened when Yaya Toure goes to the African Nations Cup next month.

But City, conscious of the need to rein in their spending, with Uefa financial fair play rules starting to take effect at the end of this season, have indicated they will make do with what they have.

It emerged that Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian and Fifa-registered agent Giuseppe Riso held a two-hour meeting  with AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani on Monday, was due to meet him again last night and is expected in  Manchester for talks with City tomorrow.

Mancini said: “I think that for us it is important to sell him, both for him and the club. If he has a chance to move, I am happy for him.”

Joorabchian told an Italian sports channel that Tevez, who remains in Argentina after flying there without club permission a month ago, “is good, very good, and training with intensity to be ready in January for a big club.

“AC Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

But Joorabchian also suggested Juventus and Inter Milan are also in the reckoning, and that Tevez is intent on playing European football next season.

 Mancini also played down a suggestion that defender Kolo Toure had been critical of City and of fellow defender Stefan Savic in an interview with a French magazine.

The City boss said he believed the Ivorian, who claimed he had not said the things attributed to him.

“I spoke about this with Kolo. He told me he didn’t say anything about this and Kolo doesn’t have any problem at this moment.

“Yesterday before training he told me ‘Boss, sorry there is a problem with a newspaper, it will come out that I said this, this, this, but I didn’t say anything’. And for me this is OK now.

“I can say Kolo is part of our plans. He is here and we know he is a good player. And if he plays or not, because we have a lot of players, Kolo is part of our plans.”

But Mancini did suggest Kolo would be allowed to leave in summer if he asked.

“At this moment,   because we have one or two defensive injuries, Kolo is important because he has experience,” said Mancini.

“But in the summer if he tells me ‘Boss I want to leave because I want to play’ I have big respect for him as a man and we can talk about this. But now, no.

Sergio Aguero: I want to be Manchester City's Diego Maradona

Sergio Aguero is intent on walking in the divine footsteps of his father-in-law in Naples tonight - by lighting up the Stadio San Paolo.

The little Argentine striker says he dreams of becoming a national hero and football icon like his wife Giannina’s dad Diego Maradona, who is revered in Naples.

Aguero is hoping to fire the Blues into the knockout phase by scoring the goals which will ensure second place in Group A.

Maradona will not be there to watch his son-in-law play, as he was back in Argentina for the funeral of his mother yesterday.

But Aguero says he dreams of leading City to glory the way Maradona led the unfashionable Napoli club to success over the richer clubs of the Italian north.

“It’s my dream to do what Maradona did for Napoli, but for City,” said Aguero.

“But this is not about an individual – what is important is that Manchester City do well as a team.

“In the past Maradona has told me everything about Naples, and I have seen on television what he stands for here, and how important he is for the fans.

“It is also important for me, as an Argentinian.

“I haven’t been able to speak to him for the past few days because of the loss of his mother – but I want to send my best wishes to him and those close to him at the moment.”

Maradona is deified by the fans in Naples, even though he left under a cloud in 1992 after a drugs test proved positive for cocaine.

In fact, the Neapolitans wanted to rename their stadium after the genius who led them to two Serie A titles and a Uefa Cup from 1987 to 1990, only to be thwarted by an Italian law which forbids a building to be named after a person unless they have been dead for at least ten years!

And they are a passionate set of fans.

City arrived at the airport to be greeted by a group of fans chanting – and one set off a flare.

City have put on extra security for the trip, with 1,000 Blues fans expected in the port, after three Liverpool fans were stabbed there last season, and two Bayern Munich supporters got the same treatment three weeks ago.

Roberto Mancini was giving nothing away about his team selection, but admitted he is toying with the idea of starting with Mario Balotelli.

The Italian striker is desperate to play in this one, as Naples is one of his favourite cities, and he has enjoyed a rebirth as a national hero after two impressive displays for the national team last week.

But Napoli fans are likely to give Balotelli a hot reception as they are not big fans of the national team and remember him from his days as a player for the hated Inter Milan.

Mancini says that factor won’t alter his team selection.

“I don't think about the crowd reaction,” he said. “Mario has played in Naples maybe ten times.

“For him, every game for Manchester City is important, but now it is different because he plays for us for the first time in Italy in Naples.

“The fans in Italy know and understand that Mario can be an important player for the national team.

“Of course, we feel we can finish the job. But we are confident in any game, not just the Premier League but the Champions League as well. We have to go there, be confident and give it 100 per cent because it is not going to be an easy game.

"It is going to be a big task but we are confident."

 Napoli look as imposing as the stone fortress which guards the harbour in this ancient city. Their proud boast is that they have not lost to a foreign team since Eintracht Frankfurt won here in 1994.

"hat is a run of ten matches, including the group games against Bayern Munich and Villarreal this season. But they have lost twice at home this season in Serie A, to Chievo and Parma.

And City broke one duck by becoming he first English club ever to win at Villarreal in their last Champions League outing.

That was also the Blues’ first-ever competitive win on Spanish soil, and now they go seeking their first in Italy.

Midfielder Nigel de Jong, who is expected to be deployed in a deep-lying role to guard against the counter-attacks of Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi which caught City out in the Etihad Stadium meeting of the two sides, believes City can do it.

“Of course, we feel we can finish the job,” said de Jong. “

But we are confident in any game, not just the Premier League but the Champions League as well.

“We have to go there, be confident and give it 100 per cent because it is not going to be an easy game. It is going to be a big task but we are confident.”

Deal me in! Nigel de Jong wants to pen new Manchester City deal

 

Nigel de Jong

Nigel de Jong has declared: “I want to stay at Manchester City and win more trophies”.

The Blues midfielder has been talking about a new deal with City for over six months without agreement, while Joe Hart, Adam Johnson, Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards have all signed new long-term deals.

Roberto Mancini is anxious to keep the Dutchman but de Jong wants a deal in line with City’s big earners.

Negotiations have dragged on, but City remain confident they can agree terms with the player. And de Jong, whose current deal runs out in the summer of 2013, made it plain that he doesn’t want to go anywhere.

“There is no concern about my contract,” de Jong said. “It is up to the club now. I have spoken my mind and now it is from the club’s perspective to decide what they want to do with me as a person and a player.

“Do I want to stay? Is that not obvious? It is a silly question.

“I have been here for three years and I am here to win prizes. We won the FA Cup last season, now we are doing well in the Premier League. For me there is no reason to move on.”

De Jong has also made it clear that regardless of any frustration at not getting a new deal sorted out, he will continue to give his all for the City cause.

The Blues have now chalked up the best 12-match start to a season in history, with 11 wins and a draw.

And they take that form into their crunch Champions League game at Napoli tomorrow night, knowing a win would secure a place in the last 16.

However, de Jong warned it will be tough in the Stadio San Paolo: “There is a good feeling about the squad but Napoli are fighting for the last chance.

“Everybody knows the stories about Napoli and their fans and it is going to be an exciting game.

“We feel we can finish the job. We have to go there, be confident and give it 100 per cent.”

 De Jong also said that going to Old Trafford and winning heavily had taken City’s confidence  onto a new level.

“After that game, the confidence did get higher,” added de Jong.

“Away games are always more difficult, especially there. But this is not going to be an easy task with their fans.”

Roberto Mancini: Manchester City must find more to beat Napoli

 

TASK-MASTER: Roberto Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has warned his players they will have to improve if they are to get anything out of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Naples - despite an impressive win over Newcastle.

City take on Napoli knowing they must win in order to seal a place in the knockout phase and avoid a nervous last-day encounter with Bayern Munich.

They warmed up with a decent 3-1 win over Newcastle, which ended the Magpies' unbeaten record and maintained their own advantage at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

However, despite a couple of penalties from Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero either side of a Micah Richards effort, Mancini still found room for more.

"I know what we can find more in Naples," said Mancini.

"Naples this season are playing very well at home. If we want to win in Naples, we should play better than we did this afternoon."


Still, City came out on top by adding another three goals to their impressive tally, with Balotelli and Aguero taking their seasonal tallies to eight and 11 respectively.

It is a measure of Mancini's new-found confidence in Balotelli that he allowed him to take City's first penalty, after Ryan Taylor had handled Yaya Toure's shot.

"With the penalties, Mario is fabulous," he said. "It is impossible that he misses. I don't know why. He shoots very well.

"Mario is a very important player for us. He is a great player and is getting better and better.

"I am trying to help him because I don't want him to waste his talent and to make sure he can become the player he can become.

"The rest is down to him and he is doing very well."

City are yet to drop a point on home soil this season and, despite Mancini's concerns, look well placed to come through a difficult week that concludes with a trip to Liverpool next Sunday.

For Newcastle it was a case of what might have been.

Demba Ba's shot was repelled by Joe Hart when the score was still goalless, then Hatem Ben Arfa - making his first Premier League start since breaking his leg in a tackle with Nigel de Jong during the corresponding fixture last season - fired against a post just as the visitors looked like they might be able to haul themselves back from two goals down.

Boss Alan Pardew said: "Manchester City are the best side we have played by some distance."

Micah Richards and Mario Balotelli earn Roberto Mancini praise

Mancini relieved to resume winning ways

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini praised Micah Richards after the full-back made a telling contribution to his team's 3-1 win over Newcastle United.

He scored one and was brought down for a penalty as City maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League.
The display comes after he was left out of the England squad for last week's friendly wins over Spain and Sweden.
"I love Micah Richards as a guy and a player," said Mancini. "I'd like it if he plays always like he did today."
Sergio Aguero scored from the spot after Richards was fouled by Hatem Ben Arfa, Mario Balotelli having opened the scoring with another penalty after Ryan Taylor had handled.
Mancini made special mention of his 21-year-old Italian striker, who also received praise from Italy coach Cesare Prandelli during the week.
"The penalty from Mario was fabulous," Mancini said. "It is impossible for him to miss one penalty - I don't know why.
"I'm just helping him not to waste his talent and to make sure he becomes the player he can become. The rest is down to him and he is doing very well."

Manchester City announce record-breaking losses of £194.9m

Manchester City have announced record annual losses of £194.9million.

The sizeable sum, the highest ever recorded in English football, shows the depth of the investment made by Sheikh Mansour to transform City from a lower-mid table outfit in 2008 to their present status as Premier League leaders.

Whilst accepting the scale of the losses, City officials are adamant it marks a low point in their financial graph and from this point forward, they will be embarking on a significant upward trend.

"Our losses, which we predicted as part of our accelerated investment strategy, will not be repeated on this scale in the future," said chief operating officer Graham Wallace.

Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak added: "With our best ever result in the Premier League, qualification for the UEFA Champions League, and an historic FA Cup campaign that delivered the Club its first piece of major silverware in 35 years, there is much to be proud of.

"However, we should not underestimate the club's other major achievements in terms of its continued commercial performance, groundbreaking partnership initiatives, expanding contribution to the community, and independent recognition for the quality of our facilities and match day offerings.

"From the perspective of the board and executive leadership team, these broader achievements are equally important signs of progress in the ongoing evolution of Manchester City and are particularly encouraging when combined with the club's historic performance on the pitch.

"It is important to recognise that much of the work covered in this report occurred under the stewardship of Garry Cook.

"I want to take this opportunity to formally thank him for his contribution to the extensive transformation of the organisation.

"Now that we are witnessing progress, both on and off the pitch, it is more important than ever to redouble our efforts towards achieving our ambition to establish Manchester City as a more successful, sustainable and internationally competitive football club that remains at the heart of the community in which it is based."

Figures

Thankfully for City, the figures will not be taken into account used as part of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations as they fall outside the accounting window.

Indeed, as "additional exceptional charges" of £34.4million have been added to a net loss of £160.5million for the 2010-11 financial year, it could be argued the club have been quite astute in their planning.

It is also easy to see why the club are so strong in defending their present position as the mammoth sponsorship deal with Etihad Airlines, said to be worth £35million-a-year over the next decade, plus the riches on offer in this season's Champions League, will have begun to impact on City's accounts in 12 months' time.

The Blues are also pointing out that commercial revenue has risen 49.7% to £48.5million and TV rights, thanks to the club's third place Premier League finish, winning the FA Cup to end a 35-year trophy drought and a run to the last 16 of the Europa League, have increased 27.4% to £68.8million.

Overall turnover was £153.2million, breaking through the £150million barrier for the first time.

"The result is consistent with the guidance provided in the first MCFC annual report that losses would peak in the 2010-11 financial year, as a result of the accelerated investment programme that the club undertook between 2008 and 2011," said the club in a statement to accompany the results.

Although officials are aware of the likelihood of all the focus going on the eye-bulging headline figure, which has been covered by two tranches of new equity of £176.7million during 2010-11 and £114.2million in the post-year period, they are insistent the losses should be taken in context with the club's position as a whole.

Playing squad

In spending huge amounts on Roberto Mancini's playing squad, the Blues have been left with a number of players, including Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Wayne Bridge, who are of no real value to City now but still have to be paid, money which rolls into a seven-figure sum every month.

Only now do City believe they have got to the situation required for a leading club of having two men for each position.

And, given most of Mancini's players are young, vast recruitment drives such as those which have been seen so often over the past three years, will not be necessary.

There is a clear desire to develop in some areas, particularly in overseas markets where Manchester United have been so strong, but City have no plans to extend the newly-named Etihad Stadium currently.

However, over the road, it is hoped planning permission to start work on the vast 80 acre site that will be known as the Etihad Campus will be granted in December.

City have received a favourable response to their ambitious scheme, the like of which has never been seen before in England, from local residents, who are set to benefit from 85 permanent and 200 temporary jobs within the project as a whole.

It is this scheme which the club feel will prove Etihad's £350million investment worthwhile.

In fact, it is understood there is a feeling at City that the price tag may eventually be viewed as undervaluing the site rather than inflating it, as Arsene Wenger and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre have suggested.

It will also be used as evidence of Sheikh Mansour's long-term commitment for City to become profitable should the club eventually fail to meet UEFA's FFP ruling that no club can incur losses in excess of 45million euros (£40million) over the three seasons of the first monitoring period, which begins in the 2011-12 campaign.

Manchester City's Nigel de Jong requests Hatem Ben Arfa meeting

 

Nigel de Jong

Manchester City enforcer Nigel de Jong has asked to meet Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa when the Magpies visit the Blues on Saturday.

The Frenchman suffered a double leg fracture in a challenge by the Holland international the last time they went head-to-head on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium in October last year.

Ben Arfa has only just returned to action and manager Alan Pardew has sat him down to ask him if the psychological impact of returning to the scene of his agonising misfortune was a concern.

Pardew said: "I had a conversation with him this morning about it because I think you could carry some demons when you have an injury like that.

"But he was absolutely clear to me this morning that he has no problem about going back there, no problem about facing their particular player.

"The player has contacted him, which I appreciate as the manager of the other team, and he wants to see Hatem. We have said after the game would be a good time, not before.

"Hopefully, that will then come to rest.

"At the time, I thought - and I wasn't the manager at the time - it was a bad tackle, but they do happen in the game and unfortunately Hatem suffered a severe injury.

"What I do know is, a year down the line - and it has taken that long - he is back somewhere near his best, and that's good news for us."

Ben Arfa could find himself involved as then Barclays Premier League leaders entertain the surprise occupants of third place with Leon Best struggling to shake off a groin problem.

Adam Johnson set to sign new four-year deal with Manchester City

 

Pen to paper: Adam Johnson

City winger Adam Johnson is close to agreeing a new deal to tie him to the club until 2015, it was reported today.
Johnson, who moved to City from Middlesbrough in January 2010, has put pen to paper on the extension despite having more than three years to run on his current deal.
The 24-year-old has made more than 50 appearances since his move to the Etihad Stadium as well as breaking into Fabio Capello's England squad.

QPR 2 - 3 Man City

Silva scored his fourth goal of the season at Loftus Road

Manchester City kept up their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with victory over QPR in an entertaining see-saw encounter at Loftus Road.

Rangers began well and led through Jay Bothroyd's header but Edin Dzeko fired City level just before half-time.
David Silva slotted City ahead, but QPR hit back when Heidar Helguson deflected in Bothroyd's header on the line.
The visitors rallied again though and struck decisively 16 minutes from time when Yaya Toure headed in the winner.
City have lapped up the plaudits this season for a series of handsome wins but manager Roberto Mancini has demanded that his side also learn to grind out results when they do not play well. He now has an example to point to.

Coach Platt defends lack of clean sheets

Mancini's men were far from their best but dug in to earn a 10th win in 11 league games and an eighth successive victory in all competitions to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Great news for City, but the result was harsh on Neil Warnock's side who gave as good as they got even though the odds were stacked against them.
Despite of the absence of Shaun Derry and Adel Taarabt because of illness and injury respectively, the home side began superbly. Helguson twice threatened early on with shots from the right-hand corner of the box before Anton Ferdinand spurned a great chance at the back post following the Icelandic striker's header back across goal.
The home side continued in this vain and were rewarded in the 28th minute when Bothroyd rose highest to head in Joey Barton's curling free-kick from the right.
It could have been much worse for City before the break, but goalkeeper Joe Hart saved Jamie Mackie's long-range shot and Helguson's headed follow-up - although the latter was offside - before Bothroyd hit the post with another header.

Manchester City have now become the fifth club in the English top-flight to win at least 10 of the first 11 matches of a season. Of the seven previous occasions this has happened, only Liverpool (1990/1991) and Manchester United (1985/1986) failed to win the title.

However, even when they are not playing well, City's quality ensures they remain a threat and they demonstrated this with aplomb two minutes before half-time.
QPR defender Ferdinand had earlier denied Dzeko with a superb block, but this time the striker got the better of the defender, cutting inside him after being found by Milner down the right, and firing in low past Paddy Kenny.
It would have been harsh on the home side, but City could have led at the break had a post not denied Sergio Aguero's 25-yard strike.
Early in the second half City did lead when Silva neatly took Dzeko's cross from the right in his stride before lashing the ball past Kenny.
The game now swung in the favour of the visitors and it seemed just a matter of time before they scored again.
It is testimony to QPR's spirit then that it was they who next found the net as Bothroyd's goalbound header from an Armand Traore cross ultimately found the net courtesy of the back of Helguson, who was on the goalline but - despite the protestations of a number of City players - not offside.
Toure would have the decisive say though, rising high to power a header past Kenny from Aleksandar Kolarov's cross.
QPR would have one more chance to salvage a point but the bar denied Helguson with a late header and the points went to City.

Warnock pleased with gung-ho Rangers

Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock:
"We were organised and took the game to them, and I think we played some cracking football. It was the width of the post on a couple of occasions.
"The crowd were great, but we got punished by quality players. They came down here today, some of the foreign lads, maybe not aware of us. I thought it was a great game of English football.
"We thought, 'If we're going to get beat, we might as well have a go at them and get beat.'
"We can improve, but we've shown a lot of people today what we can do."
Manchester City coach David Platt:
"Perhaps we weren't at our sharpest, what with all the travelling midweek and a few knocks as well.
"We didn't have that brightness in our play. The important thing is that when we are not at our sharpest we can still go on and take the three points.
"One clean sheet in seven is a by-product of the way we play. Last season we had the best defensive record in the division. If you're as offensive as we are then we're going to be open to one or two things. The manager's a perfectionist and he'll be looking at that."

Live text and stats

Saturday, 5 November 2011

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
QPR	2-3	Man City	FT
(HT 1-1)
Bothroyd 28 Helguson 69		Dzeko 43 Silva 52 Y Toure 74

Yaya Toure rings in a Nou Blues era at Manchester City

 

Yaya Toure of Manchester City

 

City are storming the Premier League – and they’re doing it the Barcelona way. The man who says the Blues have adopted a similar mentality to the Catalan giants – seen by many as the greatest team in history – should know. He has played for both clubs.

Ex-Barca star Yaya Toure returned to Spain with City on Wednesday night and scored twice as they became the first English team ever to win at Villarreal.

And, while he was keen to stress that the Blues are still behind the Catalan giants in the overall scheme of things, he said the mind-set is along the same lines.

“That’s what we want, and the mentality we have is fantastic now,” said Yaya, whose brace at El Madrigal was the first time he has ever scored twice in a game.

“ Everybody is getting that winning mentality. If you want to win things you need that. You have to work, concentrate and recover quickly every two days.

“Every game we go out, we have to put pressure on ourselves to be winners. But with the team we have now everybody has that and everyone is improving well.”

City head to Queen’s Park Rangers tomorrow, and a win would mean the Blues have had the best start to a league season since the all-conquering Liverpool side in 1978 – and they ended that season as champions.

But City have also upped their game in the Champions League after a nervous start, back-to-back wins against Villarreal setting them up for a make-or-break trip to Napoli on November 22.

Yaya won that trophy with Barcelona, but says City’s aim has to be simply to progress.

“We need to try and go as far as possible. It is early to go thinking we can go right through because there are already big teams there,” he said.

“You have to respect Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United. They are always in the Champions League and have a lot of experience.

Fantastic

“For us it is our first time in the Champions League so we have to go as far as we can and that will be fantastic experience for us.”

He also hesitated to start talking about City in similar terms to Barca and Real Madrid, even though the Blues have begun the season with a goalscoring blitz which has relegated the two Spanish titans into being support acts in the entertainment business.

“Of course there is a difference between us and them,” said Yaya.

“Barcelona has been a big club for a long time. If City want to be a club like that we have to win some Premier Leagues, maybe some Champions League to be like them.
They are the top team in the world. Then there’s Madrid – they’re another top team. It shows we still have a long way to go. We have to continue to improve.”

City have blitzed domestic opposition, averaging 3.6 goals a game in the opening 10 fixtures, the best goalscoring record since Preston North End’s “Invincibles” netted 38 times in the very first English league season in 1888-89.

The City fans have revelled in the feast, and have adapted an Old Trafford anthem, singing “We’ll score when we want.”

The strikers have bagged 23 goals between them, and the midfield players have also weighed in.

But Yaya says that if it looks easy from the stands, it is anything but.

“It’d be nice to try and keep that goalscoring average, but the Premier League is the best competition in the world so it will be difficult,” he said.

“You have to work hard to score goals in the Premier League – you saw that against Wolverhampton. But everyone is happy with what we are doing now – we just have to continue like we are doing.”

The other tricky factor for City is to balance European and Premier League success.

“They face a QPR side which beat Chelsea in their last home game, and which has spent all week preparing to play City.

By contrast, the Blues have flown out for three days in Valencia, played a difficult match and only flew back to London yesterday. Their preparation for tomorrow’s game boils down to today’s training session.

Said Yaya: “We have not much time to prepare now for QPR. They are doing well at home, they beat Chelsea, we’ll have to concentrate fully because it won’t be easy there.

“We have to be strong, be clever. “

The Blues are likely to draft Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko into the side, while Gareth Barry should return to midfield and Micah Richards and Aleks Kolarov are likely to slot back into the full back positions.

Vincent Kompany will serve a one-match ban for his red card against Wolves, which means Stefan Savic is set to make his full Premier League debut alongside Joleon Lescott.