Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini boosted as Vincent Kompany poised to return against Everton

The Stefan Savic era ends for Manchester City at Everton on Tuesday, for the time being at least, as Roberto Mancini welcomes back Vincent Kompany, a player he describes as one of the best defenders in Europe, to his Premier League leaders.

Welcome return: Vincent Kompany (below) returns for the first time following his red card against Manchester United Photo: AFP

Kompany has served a four-game suspension for his controversial sending-off in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, his absence being compounded by the fact that first-choice stand-in Kolo Touré has been on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

In their stead, Savic, 21, has looked less than an ideal replacement as he struggles to cope with adjusting to the Premier League following his £6 million summer move from Partizan Belgrade.

Savic conceded a penalty which cost City defeat in the Carling Cupsemi-final first leg against Liverpool and was substituted at half- time in the return game after an uncomfortable first half.

Worst of all, his poor header gifted Tottenham Hotspur a goal as Harry Redknapp’s team drew level at City after going down 2-0, a game which, fortunately for Mancini, his side eventually won with a late penalty on their last league outing.

“It’s important that we have Vinny available because Vinny, for us, is an important player, an important defender,” said Mancini.

“I think he’s important because he’s a strong defender.

He’s improved a lot in the last two or three years.

"He’s a leader for us, he’s our captain.

"He’s very important in this moment because we have two hard months coming up and he’s important, like Yaya [Touré], like David [Silva].

“I think he’s one of the best defenders in Europe.

"I think Vinny can improve a lot because he’s young, he’s a young player.

"But already he is one of the best defenders in Europe.”

At only 25, Kompany can still clearly improve and progress at a position where players often seem to reach their peak well into their thirties.

For Savic, the one positive to be gleaned from his first few outings in English football is the fact that he is so young and could, presumably, put his early, nervous, error-strewn performances behind him.

“Stefan is a young player,” said Mancini.

“He had played well until one or two games before Tottenham, then, against Tottenham, he made a couple of mistakes.

“When you are young, you can get into trouble like this but he is a good player. He is young and needs to improve.”

Meanwhile, with Mancini insisting there will be no incomings before Tuesday night’s transfer window closes, attention remains focused, as it has for much of the last four months, on forward Carlos Tévez and his increasingly strained relationship with the club and manager.

Privately, City believe that the chance of selling Tévez, who has not played for the club since a Carling Cup tie with Birmingham on Sept 21, is not dead and buried.

And there remains the hope that a European suitor, such as AC Milan, will use the increasingly fractious relationship between club and player to try and sign him for less than City’s reported £25 million asking price before the deadline.

Should Tévez fail to secure a move away from City, the club publicly expect him to report for duty this week although, privately, they admit they have no idea whether or not he will return.

Mancini also responded with bemusement to allegations, made by Tévez’s representative Kia Joorabchian last week, that the player’s major problem at City is his relationship with Mancini himself.

“Sometimes it is very difficult to understand why some players employ certain agents,” said Mancini.

“If I were a player, I’d take another agent like some who work here.

“First they have to find their players work and then they have help them in a difficult situation, not put them against the club or the manager or other players.”

It appears impossible that Tévez could ever play for the club following the high-profile disagreement which dates back to his infamous non-appearance in a Champions League game at Bayern Munich in September.

However, Mancini insisted he has no problem with the renegade player.

“I don’t know,” said Mancini when asked why Joorabchian had verbally attacked him.

“I have always had a good relationship with him [Tévez] — even after Munich.

“I called him to my house and said that if you apologise you can come back.

For me, it wasn’t a problem. I always had a good relationship with him like I did with the other players.

“He always said he wanted to leave Manchester and be closer to his family.

"I think it is very strange [that he is now saying he has a problem with the manager].”

City report no new injury concerns, although Mario Balotelli is suspended.

Kompany for Savic may be the only change to the line-up that started the Tottenham victory.

Manchester City (possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, Barry; Silva, Agüero, Nasri; Dzeko.

City’s good Kompany 
The Premier League statistics for Manchester City when Vincent Kompany starts and when he does not, since Aug 2008, show his importance to the club:

With		Without
1.86	Average goals for	1.75
0.94	Average goals against	1.58
55	Win percentage	42
1.84	Points per game	1.58

Carlos Tevez set to stay at Manchester City as Roberto Mancini rules out further transfer activity before deadline

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he has always had a good relationship with Carlos Tevez as he ruled out any further transfer activity before the deadline, meaning the Argentine is likely to spend the rest of the summer at the Etihad Stadium.

Home form: Carlos Tevez has been in Argentina for the past two months and last played for City in September 2011

With Tevez looking likely to remain at City, Mancini felt the need to address comments made by the player's advisor Kia Joorabchian on Friday.

Joorabchian claimed Tevez's relationship with his manager had never been good and there had been "feuds" with Mancini throughout their time together.

This has come as a surprise to Mancini, who has always got the impression he had a good working relationship with a player he made his skipper at the start of last season.

"Carlos doesn't have any problem with me," said Mancini.

It has been claimed Tevez wants to join AC Milan, which is the reason why approaches from Inter Milan and Paris St Germain were unsuccessful.

All three clubs have now said they are out of the running during this transfer window, although it would not entirely be a surprise if there was a last-ditch attempt to sign Tevez from someone.

Presently though, the 27-year-old remains in Argentina, as he has been for more than two months.

There have been suggestions he will return if his future is not sorted this week, leaving Mancini with a tricky problem trying to reintegrate a player in his squad who has taken such an extreme stance.

"Everyone should always answer for his behaviour," said Mancini.

"If a player is at one club and wants to go to another, it is an option for the player. Maybe for the club it is a big problem."

Carlos Tevez's Manchester City dispute costs striker £9.3m

Tevez has now lost out on £9.3m in earnings from City

Carlos Tevez's dispute with Manchester City has cost the Argentine striker £9.3m in wages, fines and lost bonuses.

It is understood he has not been paid his salary, estimated at £200,000 a week, since the end of November.

And he has also been fined £1.2m for gross misconduct over his refusal to return from South America.

Meanwhile, City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has criticised AC Milan for their conduct in trying to sign Tevez, suggesting they are out of the running.

TEVEZ MONETARY FACTFILE

Continue reading the main story

• 28 October: Fined two weeks' wages for breach of contract related to Bayern game (£400,000)
• 7 November: Tevez flies to Argentina without permission. He has been there since
• 22 December: City charge Tevez with gross misconduct for his actions since 7 November. (Six weeks' fine: £1.2m). Given until 7 January to appeal, which he did
• 11 January: Appeal heard by directors and dismissed. Given until 30 January to appeal to Premier League
• Tevez has not been paid since the end of November (£1.7m)
• Shortly before the Bayern match he was formally informed £6m in loyalty bonuses for the remainder of his contract were being rescinded for repeated transfer requests
• Total loss of earnings: about £9.3m

Tevez's preferred choice would be AC Milan but Al-Mubarak criticised both the club and their vice-president Adriano Galliani, saying the Italians' discussions with Tevez and his advisers had been "premature".

"As things stand, AC Milan are not an option for Carlos," said Al-Mubarak, who will only let Tevez go for £25m, plus add-ons.

Speaking publicly on the subject for the first time, Al-Mubarak told the National newspaper in Abu Dhabi: "If they want to be a consideration in this transfer window, they would do better to stop congratulating one another and begin to look at how they would meet our terms.

"Unless we receive an offer we deem appropriate, the terms of his contract will be enforced.

"Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain approached discussions with us in good faith. It is always a positive experience to deal with people with a professional approach."

The current saga began when the 27-year-old was fined two weeks' wages after boss Roberto Mancini alleged the striker refused to come on as a substitute during City's tie against Bayern Munich in a Champions League tie in September, although Tevez claimed there had been a misunderstanding.

He left for South America and his refusal to return saw him fined six weeks' wages (£1.2m).

Continue reading the main story

That fine is currently the subject of an appeal to the Premier League after Tevez's initial challenge was rejected by Blues directors Marty Edelman and Mohamed al-Mazrouei on 7 January.

Prior to the Bayern match, Tevez forfeited £6m in loyalty bonuses because of his previous requests to leave City.

Tevez's current deal does not expire until June 2014, but the Argentine has not played for City since 21 September and is currently in his home country.

"Carlos has said many times before that money has never been a motivation," said a spokesman for Tevez.

"We reached an agreement with Manchester City in terms of his wages when he returned to Argentina and nothing has changed on that front. Now all Carlos wants to do is get back to playing football again."

City and Tevez want his departure to be confirmed before the end of the January transfer window but the club are unwilling to reduce their fee or let him leave on loan.

Liverpool-Man City: Roberto Mancini bemoans penalty decisions

Mancini questions penalty decisions

Roberto Mancini criticised the decision-making of referee Phil Dowd after Manchester City were knocked out in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

City drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the second leg but the Reds went through 3-2 on aggregate, thanks in part to Steven Gerrard's penalty.
Dowd awarded the spot-kick after Micah Richards blocked a shot and the ball deflected up onto his hand.
"It was impossible that it was a penalty," said City manager Mancini.

Manchester City have not won at Anfield in 10 matches - their last victory coming in May 2003

"Micah can't cut off his arm because the ball touched his leg before. It's impossible to concede a penalty like this and not give one with Edin Dzeko [when he went down in the box under a challenge from Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam].
"I am 200% sure it [Dzeko incident] was a penalty. We were very unlucky for this moment with the referee."
He added: "Without the first penalty we would have won the game. It was not a penalty for Liverpool."
Richards later wrote on Twitter: "Not happy! How can I stop it hitting my hand if it hits my foot first!
Manchester City began with an unfamiliar defensive system, as Mancini employed three centre-backs, with Stefan Savic flanked by Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards.

We deserved to reach final - Dalglish

A brilliant strike from Nigel de Jong put them ahead but Liverpool equalised when Gerrard scored from the spot after Richards' diving block on Daniel Agger's shot.
With the score at 1-1 at half-time but City trailing on aggregate, Mancini replaced Savic - who had endured a difficult first 45 minutes - and changed to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation.
But the Italian said he had no regrets about the tactics he employed.
"I'm happy with the performance because when you come here and score two goals against a team like Liverpool you should do a good performance but we made some mistakes," he commented.
"Savic is young, he needs to improve but he can make some mistakes like me and the other players.
"But we changed Savic after the first half because we were 1-1 and we needed to put another striker on the pitch, only for this reason."

Mario Balotelli's agent warns he could leave Manchester City if he feels persecuted after four match ban for stamp

Mario Balotelli's agent insists he has a duty of care to the Manchester City striker that would involve him forcing a move away from Manchester City were he to feel he had been unfairly treated in the game, in the wake of his four match ban for stamping on Scott Parker.

Protected: Mario Balotelli's agent says he has no qualms about finding his client a new club id he is treated unfairly

Balotelli's Italian agent, Mino Raiola, suggested in an interview with a radio station in the striker's homeland, that he feels there could be a conspiracy against him.

"Mario can't be banned for four games," said Raiola. "He wasn't balanced and there was also a push from Modric.

"It is not an intentional foul because Mario doesn't want to hurt anyone, he didn't see Parker, that's all.

"I want to be balanced but I'm worried because when English players are involved in more serious things, nothing happens, whereas when foreigners are involved, such as Balotelli or Kompany, they were treated harder.

"If I find that there is something strange against Balotelli, my duty is to protect and then take him away.

"In this case I would speak with City, I'd ask them Balotelli's price and would look for the best team for him, as there are only six or seven teams he can play for.
"I talked to Mario who said he is happy to stay in England, but he does not understand certain things and they sadden him."
Raiola also suggested referee Howard Webb was lying to cover his own back when he reported that he did not see the incident during the game.
"The referee saw everything, because he spoke to Mario after the action," Raiola said.
"So in my opinion, this referee must be banned for life because he didn't tell the truth.
"The TV images show that he is really close to the action, how can he say he didn't see it?
"What was he doing? He says he didn't see it, only to defend himself."

Man City 3 - 2 Tottenham

 
Balotelli calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to give City the points 
 

Mario Balotelli's injury-time penalty gave Premier League leaders Manchester City a vital victory after Tottenham's stirring comeback looked set to earn them a point at Etihad Stadium.

City set the platform for a win early in the second half with two quick goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott - but Spurs delivered a devastating response as an opportunist goal from Jermain Defoe and a magnificent strike from Gareth Bale drew them level in a burst of four goals in nine minutes.
Balotelli emerged from the bench and into the chaos that seems to be his constant companion - picking up a booking for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto then escaping punishment after appearing to stamp on Scott Parker, an incident which went undetected by referee Howard Webb.

Mario Balotelli should have been sent off - Harry Redknapp

Defoe was then inches away from putting Spurs back in front in stoppage time before Italian Balotelli was inevitably the central figure in the final twist that ensured Roberto Mancini's side maintained the gap ahead of their pursuers at the top of the table.
Spurs' backroom staff were enraged by Balotelli's clash with Parker and their burning sense of injustice would have been made even more acute when he calmly strode forward to score from the spot with only seconds remaining after he had been hauled down by Ledley King.
The visitors clearly felt he should not even have been on the pitch, adding to their frustration after they had demonstrated considerable character and resilience to fight their way back into the game.

City boss Mancini will have had mixed emotions - delight at a crucial three points but also anxiety at the manner in which his side allowed Spurs back into the game.
Defoe, as expected, was Redknapp's selection in attack ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, who was unable to figure against City, his parent club, during his season-long loan period.
In a first half that was fiercely contested, the only striker who got the chance to shine was City's Sergio Aguero as Spurs outnumbered City in midfield and contained the league leaders in relative comfort.

The Argentine saw his goalbound shot inadvertently blocked by Edin Dzeko, then demonstrated great strength and awareness to hold off Younes Kaboul and find David Silva, who dragged his shot just wide.
Aguero was frustrated by Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel after Richards forced his way into area - but there was still no indication of the torrent of goals that were to hit the Etihad after the break.

 
Tottenham allege Mario Balotelli stamped on the head of Scott Parker 
 
The first came after 56 minutes when Silva, with trademark creation, threaded a pass through for Nasri to thump a finish past Friedel. And when Lescott bundled home Dzeko's flick from a Nasri corner three minutes later, City could see daylight.
Not for long, however, as Spurs were back in business within seconds as the hour approached. Stefan Savic failed miserably in his attempt to deal with a clearance, heading straight to Defoe, who accepted the gift with relish as he rounded City keeper Joe Hart to score.
City's fans had gone from elation to anxiety, but Dzeko should have eased their concerns when he was played in by Silva. The Bosnian never looked convincing as he lashed his effort way over the top.
Bale showed no such uncertainty when he put Spurs level in spectacular style after 65 minutes. He took Aaron Lennon's pass and clipped a finish that possessed pace, power and precision high into the top corner beyond Hart, who had no chance.

Mancini delighted and unhappy - Platt

City had introduced Balotelli for Dzeko, but his first meaningful contribution was to pick up a yellow card from referee Webb for a foul on Assou-Ekotto.
The coming together with Parker that provided a major talking point followed soon after, before a thrilling second half received the climax it deserved.
Defoe could not stretch far enough to turn Bale's cross into an open goal - leaving the stage clear for the turbulent Balotelli to write another chapter into his eventful Manchester City story.

UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs Need a Fast Payday Loan? Samir Nasri responded to his critics after an influential display in Manchester City's vital but controversial win over title rivals Tottenham. Nasri has been unable to command a regular starting place in City's star-studded side since his £24million switch from Arsenal but has been angered by suggestions the move was motivated by financial gain. And while the main talking point from City's 3-2 victory over Spurs centred on the actions of match-winner Mario Balotelli, the France midfielder feels he made a point by striking a superb opener. The 24-year-old said: "This goal is what I needed after everyone was talking. "I needed this to show everyone I am 100% with Man City. "I want to perform well and show everyone what I can do. "David (Silva) gave me a brilliant ball and after one touch, I scored and I was happy." City's victory came in contentious circumstances as Balotelli, who had escaped punishment after a clash with Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker, struck an injury-time penalty at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City games moved for TV Video: Anxious wait for Mario Balotelli Roberto Mancini hits out at sloppy Manchester City troops Manchester City 3 Tottenham 2: Player ratings Mario Balotelli calm before key penalty Spurs manager Harry Redknapp accused the Italian of stamping on Parker's head and did not believe he should have been on the field to win - and convert - the last-gasp spot-kick. Redknapp's frustration was compounded by the fact the incident occurred just seconds after Jermain Defoe had narrowly missed a glorious chance to win the game for the visitors. It made for a dramatic end to a pulsating second half from which City emerged with their three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League intact. Spurs now trail Roberto Mancini's men by eight points and Manchester United are now perhaps the only realistic challengers to City. A cagey game was transformed by Nasri's powerful first-time strike in the 56th minute. Three more goals followed in the next nine minutes as Joleon Lescott bundled in a City second, Defoe pounced on a Stefan Savic mistake to reply and Gareth Bale curled a stunning equaliser. Nasri told City TV: "It was the kind of game that everyone wants to play. "It was a crazy game with two of the best teams in England. I think everyone loved with this game. "It was a good result for us and we are happy with our performance." Nasri was well aware the result could easily have gone the other way with Defoe agonisingly close to turning in a Bale cross at the far post in the dying moments. The Frenchman said: "Seriously I had a doubt about it, I was scared. "I am used to playing against Tottenham, they are a team who react really well. "Last year with Arsenal we were winning 2-0 and they beat us 3-2, but I knew if we kept calm, played our football, we would score the third one because they leave too much space. That is what we did. "We didn't go forward too quickly because then you open some space for them and they play quickly up front. "We are happy with the result, that is the most important."

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1471655_samir-nasri-i-needed-goal-to-show-im-100-per-cent-manchester-city

UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs Need a Fast Payday Loan? Samir Nasri responded to his critics after an influential display in Manchester City's vital but controversial win over title rivals Tottenham. Nasri has been unable to command a regular starting place in City's star-studded side since his £24million switch from Arsenal but has been angered by suggestions the move was motivated by financial gain. And while the main talking point from City's 3-2 victory over Spurs centred on the actions of match-winner Mario Balotelli, the France midfielder feels he made a point by striking a superb opener. The 24-year-old said: "This goal is what I needed after everyone was talking. "I needed this to show everyone I am 100% with Man City. "I want to perform well and show everyone what I can do. "David (Silva) gave me a brilliant ball and after one touch, I scored and I was happy." City's victory came in contentious circumstances as Balotelli, who had escaped punishment after a clash with Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker, struck an injury-time penalty at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City games moved for TV Video: Anxious wait for Mario Balotelli Roberto Mancini hits out at sloppy Manchester City troops Manchester City 3 Tottenham 2: Player ratings Mario Balotelli calm before key penalty Spurs manager Harry Redknapp accused the Italian of stamping on Parker's head and did not believe he should have been on the field to win - and convert - the last-gasp spot-kick. Redknapp's frustration was compounded by the fact the incident occurred just seconds after Jermain Defoe had narrowly missed a glorious chance to win the game for the visitors. It made for a dramatic end to a pulsating second half from which City emerged with their three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League intact. Spurs now trail Roberto Mancini's men by eight points and Manchester United are now perhaps the only realistic challengers to City. A cagey game was transformed by Nasri's powerful first-time strike in the 56th minute. Three more goals followed in the next nine minutes as Joleon Lescott bundled in a City second, Defoe pounced on a Stefan Savic mistake to reply and Gareth Bale curled a stunning equaliser. Nasri told City TV: "It was the kind of game that everyone wants to play. "It was a crazy game with two of the best teams in England. I think everyone loved with this game. "It was a good result for us and we are happy with our performance." Nasri was well aware the result could easily have gone the other way with Defoe agonisingly close to turning in a Bale cross at the far post in the dying moments. The Frenchman said: "Seriously I had a doubt about it, I was scared. "I am used to playing against Tottenham, they are a team who react really well. "Last year with Arsenal we were winning 2-0 and they beat us 3-2, but I knew if we kept calm, played our football, we would score the third one because they leave too much space. That is what we did. "We didn't go forward too quickly because then you open some space for them and they play quickly up front. "We are happy with the result, that is the most important."

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1471655_samir-nasri-i-needed-goal-to-show-im-100-per-cent-manchester-city

Carlos Tevez close to big-money move from Manchester City to PSG

 

Carlos Tevez

AWOL Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez stands to pick up a staggering £43m in wages if his move to Paris Saint Germain goes through, according to reports.

The Blues are hoping to agree a deal of £31m with big-spending PSG. The Argentinian forward could then sign a three-and-a-half year deal worth £10m a year, plus an £8m signing on fee, report the Sun.

PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "Everyone knows that we want a striker. Carlos Tevez? It's a great opportunity for us to have a great striker.

"Today Tevez isn't playing for Manchester City - but he wants to play. We hope to find a good solution.

"He is a great player. In around 15 days he could get back into great physical condition."

City boss Roberto Mancini hopes the Carlos Tevez saga will end "very quickly" as a return to the Etihad Stadium is "impossible".

Tevez has not played for City since September and is currently in his native Argentina awaiting a possible transfer.

Mancini said: "I hope this will finish very quickly. I don't know [the latest].

"I think he has talked with PSG and Inter, but not Milan. I hope for him everything can finish very quickly."

Mancini was asked if Tevez could return to the City team if a move fails to materialise before the end of the January transfer window.

The Italian, speaking at a press conference to preview Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham, said: "This is impossible. Carlos doesn't want to stay.

"It is important for him to start to play because he is a football player.

"It is now three months that he hasn't played and this is not good for him."

Kolo Toure insists he and Yaya had no option but to desert City for an Africa Cup of Nations adventure

 

Yaya Toure and brother Kolo in action for Ivory Coast

Kolo Toure has told City fans that he and brother Yaya had no choice but to abandon City for a month at the Africa Cup of Nations Cup.

The two Ivory Coast internationals missed the cup defeats by United and Liverpool as they were called up by their country for a training camp ahead of the tournament, which begins on Saturday.

Manager Roberto Mancini failed in a bid to postpone the date they joined up with the squad, initially asking for an extra week, and then being told they could not even stay for an extra day in order to play in the FA Cup derby clash with the Reds.

Some fans wanted the Toures to defy their country but that would probably have led to a Fifa suspension for the duration of the Africa Cup of Nations – due to end on February 12 – and possibly an additional five days’ ban on top.

“When you leave your club it’s always very difficult but we need to play for our country and try to do as well as we can,” said the elder of the Blues brothers.

“It’s tough, but we are in a situation where the countries always win, and for us it’s difficult.”

Since the Toures left, on the eve of the FA Cup exit, City have lost those two games and battled to a narrow win at Wigan.

The loss of Yaya – named African Footballer of the Year last month – was the biggest problem, but the four-game suspension of Vincent Kompany for a red card in the United game has meant Kolo’s experience has been sorely missed as well.

Mancini has pencilled February 12 in his diary, as that is the date of the final – and Ivory Coast are the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, even if City fans might be praying they take an early tumble.

They are  expected to breeze through the group stage against Burkina Faso, Angola and Sudan, which means they will definitely miss league games with Spurs and Everton and the second leg against Liverpool, and probably miss the home game with Fulham.

Silverware

Then, if they reach the final, they will also be absent for the trip to Aston Villa on February 12, but should join the City squad for the trip to Porto in the Europa League four days later Mancini has made it plain that the return of Yaya is vital to his title hopes, and says that if City are top, or close to the top, when the brothers return from Equatorial Guinea or Gabon – where the tournament is being held – they will take some stopping. Kolo believes his City teammates will do just that. “There are some great players in the team,” he said.

“Recent results have been tough but we have a great squad of players and I know that those players and the manager are really strong – they will get more good results.

“I am looking forward to hopefully winning the Premier League again. I won it with Arsenal and would be so glad to win it with Manchester City as well.

“It would be great to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament, for me and Yaya to win the African Nations together. But it will be even better to win the Premier League as brothers.” Kolo played a big part in luring Yaya from Barcelona, revealing to M.E.N. Sport months before he signed in the summer of 2010 that his brother was interested in the move.

The dream they shared was to win a major trophy together – the only time they have shared success was when they won Ivory Coast league titles together as teenagers.

They were again thwarted last season when Yaya’s goals in the semi-final and final brought the Blues their first silverware since the takeover – but Kolo was watching from the sidelines after being handed a six-month suspension for taking a banned substance. They have played together for their country many times, but – despite being one of the powerhouses of African football – they have flopped at the last three African Nations Cups, losing the final on penalties in 2006, and going out in the semi-finals and quarter-finals, respectively, in 2008 and 2010.

Kolo hopes this season they can break their international duck and end City’s 44-year wait for a league title.

“It’s great to be playing in the same teams as my brother,” he said. “When he was at Barcelona, I wanted him to come to England, and that’s why he came to City. Now he is one of the best players at City and I am so proud.

“To be part of a team as big as City is great for both of us, but it is also great to be part of the Ivory Coast. I hope we win a medal for Ivory Coast and then return to win a medal with City – that is my dream.”

Kolo, who turns 31 in March, is the older of the brothers by almost two years, but he admits that often it is Yaya who mentors him rather than the other way round.

“I try to look out for Yaya but he is an experienced guy,” he said. “He won the Champions League, and is a clever boy who knows what he is doing.

“I try to help him but there’s not a lot I can do – he helps me more, because he has more football experience.  He won the Champions League and played with the best team in the world at Barcelona, and now he is also with one of the best clubs in the world at City.

“Age doesn’t mean a lot. A younger guy can be more talented, more intelligent than you, more capable of doing things, and for me Yaya is one of the best players in the world.

“I am having a great career and am happy for what has happened to me but I look at my brother, and what he does in the football world at the moment is so great and I just try to help him.”

Only Barcelona could cope with losing three superstars says Roberto Mancini as he feels the pain

 

Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini says Barcelona are the only team in the world who could cope with the loss of their three biggest stars.

City have suffered from losing skipper Vincent Kompany to a four-match ban, Yaya Toure to international duty and David Silva to an ankle injury.

Silva is due back in action for tonight’s league fixture at Wigan but City had to play most of last week’s FA Cup defeat by United, and the loss to Liverpool in the Carling Cup, without those three aces.

And Mancini (right) says that the current City set-up cannot sustain such losses.

“No  team in the world could cope with the loss of three such important players – maybe Barcelona,” he said. “Maybe they could but Manchester City no.

“Maybe Manchester City in four or five years. But not now.”

Mancini wants to continue strengthening the Blues in this transfer window, and is hoping that Inter Milan’s resurrection of a possible deal for Carlos Tevez is concrete.

Inter had given up on signing Tevez, as rivals AC Milan were in the driving seat, but that deal collapsed last week, and Inter are hoping they can land Tevez for £21m.

That would give Mancini cash to spend, and he is still keeping a careful eye on Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi, who has still not signed a new deal for the Serie A outfit.

For now City must battle on with their current players, and Mancini gave young defender Stefan Savic – who had a torrid first half against Liverpool – a vote of confidence.

“The first half was difficult,” he said. “It is difficult to play against Andy Carroll. Stefan is young and needs to improve in the Premier League when he plays against a strong striker. In the second half he was better.”

But Mancini also made it plain that Nedum Onuoha , wanted by QPR and with Bolton, Wolves and Blackburn showing interest, will remain until Kompany’s ban is over.

“Now he is here because we need him for two or three weeks until Vincent  comes back,” he said. “After that there is a chance he goes – it would be better for him.”

Ancelotti hints at Tevez swoop

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Carlos Tevez is expected to leave Manchester City this month

Paris Saint Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has done little to quell speculation that the Ligue 1 side are lining up a bid for Carlos Tevez, claiming the Manchester City striker is "a player I really like".
Tevez, 27, was on the brink of joining AC Milan this week but a move broke down after Rossoneri forward Alexandre Pato decided to stay at the San Siro.
Pato had been the subject of a bid from PSG, with Ancelotti keen to bring his former player to the Parc des Princes. But after missing out on the Brazilian, the Parisiens boss now appears to have turned his attention to Tevez.
"Tevez is a player I really like, he is fantastic," Ancelotti said. "If we want to play at a high level, we must act well in the market, looking for players who can give us a hand."
PSG are thought to be willing to meet City's £25 million askng price for the wantaway Argentinian, who has not played a game for the club since refusing to warm-up during a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in October.
Inter Milan and Corinthians are also still interested in acquiring Tevez, while his representative Kia Joorabchian has claimed that Milan may still re-enter negotiations, despite their official statements to the contrary.

Israeli squaddie Nir Biton a £2m target for Manchester City

 

City boss Roberto Mancini is considering a swoop for Nir Biton

Manchester City are weighing up a £2m move for Israeli midfielder Nir Biton.

The Blues had the 20-year-old FC Ashdod star on trial last week and he impressed Roberto Mancini and his coaching staff with his elegant style.

The 6ft 4in international still has 10 months of army service to run in Israel – he serves it alongside his playing career – but he is expected to be excused if City come up with a concrete offer.

Biton has been the main reason that unfashionable Ashdod have surged to second place in the Israeli league this season, and he has now been capped twice by his country.

He is also wanted by several Bundesliga clubs but would prefer a move to City. His agent Dudu Dahan said Mancini has already indicated he wants the youngster,
saying: “After the last training session I discussed with Mancini and he was happy to tell me that they would like to sign Nir.

“We have some other clubs who want him but Man City is our main priority because we got great respect over there.

“I believe that the clubs have started negotiations and I will start to talk to the army about his release.”

Inter serious about Tevez deal

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Carlos Tevez is no longer a favourite of Manchester City fans

Inter Milan have reiterated their desire to bring Carlos Tevez to the club from Manchester City, but the Serie A side are far from optimistic about landing the striker.
Tevez seems certain to leave City this January following a major fall-out with club officials. Inter's city rivals AC were believed to be in pole position to land the Argentina international, having already entered into negotiations with the player and his agent, but Inter are firmly in the race.
Reports suggest City prefer the deal on the table from Inter, although the player is leaning towards AC, and club president Massimo Moratti is still working on the transfer.
"We don't do anything just for fun; if we do something it's because we think it could be a good deal," Moratti told the club's official website. "It all seems normal to me: we were interested in finding out how things stood, if there was any room for manoeuvre.
"We'll see if we're successful, if we can bring him here or not."
Asked if he was optimistic about securing Tevez's signature, Moratti said: "It's not a question of being optimistic or not, just waiting to see what happens.
"There are three weeks left. There's plenty of time."

Roberto Mancini points finger at Wayne Rooney over Vincent Kompany red card

 

Players remonstrate with referee Chris Foy

Roberto Mancini accused Wayne Rooney of getting Vincent Kompany sent off in an explosive Manchester derby.

The Blues boss said that the United striker harangued referee Chris Foy after his captain’s challenge on Nani which left City down to ten men for 80 minutes of the match.

“It was not a red card,” said an incredulous Mancini afterwards. “Rooney told him his decision. He was near the referee.”

Asked if he meant that Rooney had influenced Foy’s decision, the City boss said: “Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I don’t want to talk about the referee.”

Mancini said City intend to appeal the red card with the hearing to be held tomorrow.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson felt it was a red card offence, but Mancini agreed to disagree: “Maybe I’ve made a mistake but it’s impossible (the red card). Everyone has an opinion.

“I respect his (Fergie’s) opinion but I don’t want to talk about the referee because I want to stay on the bench for the next match.

“It was happening with Ferdinand, Evra, all defenders many times. If you watch the situation, you can see it. I’m sure that we will win the appeal.”

Looking on the bright side, Mancini felt that City’s stirring second half fightback was firm evidence that the Blues have what it takes to win the title this season.

Already without key men Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko, City almost snatched a draw as they were the better team.

And Mancini was quick to draw comparisons with the way United fell apart after Jonny Evans’ dismissal in the Blues’ 6-1 league win at Old Trafford in October.

“My feeling is good because we played a good game,” said Mancini. “I’m disappointed to lose but I’m happy with our performance and I’m proud of my players.

“I think that we took two steps forward. At Old Trafford, with ten men, they lost 6-1, and they played with 40 minutes with 10 players. We played for 80 minutes with ten players and we didn’t concede any chances in the second half.

“We scored two goals and had other chances to score. For us, it was a fantastic performance.

“I think that today was important for the league. Now we can win the league, because United are a top squad in England and if we play with the same attitude, the same strength every game, we will win the league.”

Mancini – who felt City should have been awarded a second-half penalty after Phil Jones appeared to handle Kolarov’s cross - replaced Adam Johnson and David Silva with Pablo Zabaleta and Stefan Savic at half-time, a decision that looked like an exercise in damage limitation.

And he revealed he asked his players to ‘defend well’ in the second half, and not chase the game as United had done during the 6-1 defeat.

“I said only that we need to defend very well and not concede any chances,” he added. “I said if we had a chance on set-pieces then try to score and play on the counter-attack.

“We defended very, very well and we didn’t concede any chances to United in the second half. This is not easy when you play with ten players against United.

“I wanted to defend very well because it was very difficult but not impossible to score three goals in the second half. United didn’t have any chances in the second-half.”

Mancini also defended his decision to rest first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart. Costel Pantilimon had only started in the Carling Cup before being handed the gloves for United’s visit, but Mancini insisted it was important that the Romanian gained valuable experience in case he was needed in the title run-in.

“Costel is a good keeper,” said Mancini. “He needs to play sometimes because if we need him during the season it’s important for Costel to play games.”

City sign Norwegian starlet

Manchester City: Premier League giants are already looking towards their long-term future

Manchester City have signed teenage starlet Martin Samuelsen.

The 14-year-old had been on trial with English giants Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United as well as with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in the past.
However, Haugesund native Samuelsen has now been deemed good enough by City to join their youth academy.
"I look forward to living in Manchester but, of course, it will be sad to leave my family and friends," he told Haugesund Avis.
"I want to be one of the best and would like to play for one of the big clubs in Europe and win something."
Samuelsen's father will also move to Manchester.

Manchester City plot double trouble for Reds in FA Cup derby

 

Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini feels Manchester City could knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup AND damage their title hopes with a win on Sunday.

The Blues boss believes that the race for the Premier League crown has boiled down to a straight fight between the two Manchester clubs and Tottenham.

And he feels that the winner on Sunday could deliver a psychological blow to their main rivals, albeit not a big one.

If City do win, it would be the first time United have lost three matches on the trot since May, 2001, and Mancini feels that the repercussions of that are uncertain.

“For me, this game is not important for the Premier League, or maybe psychologically,” said Mancini. “After two defeats, maybe another defeat would be a problem for them, but United are very strong for this.”

Watch Mancini's pre-match press conference below


But the City manager feels that the fact that United have lost two consecutive games, as well as losing the last two derby matches, makes them a dangerous animal.

“It is a difficult game – derbies are always difficult, and at this momentmaybe even more so because United are angry about two defeats.

“They are always very strong after a defeat, and for this reason it will be a very tough game.

“United have one thing – they are very positive because their mentality is very strong. Having two defeats does not happen for them, and they soon start to play strong and win games.

“After losing to us they won eight games and drew one. That is why they are always dangerous.”

But the fact that his side snapped out of their Christmas malaise by convincingly beating Liverpool is cause for optimism, he says.

“We had a reaction after Sunderland,” he said. “We deserved to win against Sunderland, but we got the reaction against Liverpool.

“That game wasn’t easy because Liverpool at the moment are a very strong team, who had conceded only 15 goals before they played us.

“But on Sunday it is a derby, United come to us after two defeats, and after the first game we played in the league, at Old Trafford, there are a lot of things in this game.”

Vincent Kompany hails 'efficient' Manchester City

 

Yaya Toure heads home amid a crowd of players

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany hailed an "efficient" performance from his side after they defeated Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

The win sees them go three points ahead of Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League title race, though Gareth Barry's second-half sending-off provided the one sour note.

Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner, from the penalty spot, were the scorers for City.

Man-of-the-match Kompany told Sky Sports 1: "This is massive for us. We were incredibly efficient and it's a great win.

"It is one of the top six teams out of the way and now we know United and the other teams have to play each other."

Roberto Mancini demands response from Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has demanded a response from his players after Manchester City's shock defeat to Sunderland on New Year's Day.

But while the Italian expects his Premier League leaders to learn from the mistakes at the Stadium of Light, Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish has promised to heap more misery on them tomorrow.

City take on Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium looking to pile the pressure on United by opening up a three-point gap over Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

And Mancini says there will be no more mistakes.

"We missed a big opportunity, a big chance to go three points up on United," he said. "I thought we threw three important points out of the window.

"It was important but now it is finished and we can do nothing. But at the same time, when we arrive back in Manchester, we need to think positively for the next game and for the future.

"We play again quickly and we should have good concentration for the next game.

"We have 45 points and we have scored 53 goals, and I think we need another 45 points in the second half."

Dalglish is hoping to inflict a third defeat on City in the space of six games and insists the talent of Mancini's squad holds no fears for his side.

"They are a fantastic side but so are we so we are not going to go there and be scared," he said. "It is all well and good saying they have loads of money but they have a good team.

"The money they have everyone else would love to have but unfortunately they don't.

"We will go and play whichever 11 they put on the pitch and it doesn't matter how much they cost.

"But we have the utmost respect for what they have done, we will respect and appreciate their ability.

"They are certainly a really difficult side to play against and we have our work cut out but we will work hard and fingers crossed we will come home with a result."

Mancini has told his side they must be more ruthless against Liverpool after squandering so many opportunities in defeat to Sunderland.

"I don't know how many chances we had to score but we need to pay attention in situations where we concede three or four counter-attacks," he said. "A top team can't concede situations like this - maybe one, but not three or four.

"We wanted to try to score but sometimes, when you are on the pitch, you need to understand that there are some games you cannot score. You can do nothing.

"In that moment we should stay and finish - one point is better than nil."