Mario Balotelli Will 'Probably' Be Sold Says Man City Boss Roberto Mancini

Under pressure Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted that he is likely to sell controversial striker in the summer.

By Matt Holmes /

Under pressure Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted that he is likely to sell controversial striker Mario Balotelli in the summer. The erratic Italian international's dismal yesterday in City's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal that saw City fall eight points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United will likely be seen as Balotelli using up the last of his cat-like nine lives. He may now have also played his last game for the club. Balotelli will now be suspended for City's next game after being sent off for collecting two yellow cards yesterday and could now see his ban increased after a challenge on Alex Song was missed by the referee and could be investigated by the Football Association, rendering him likely to be out of Mancini's plans for the final run in. When asked p0st-match yesterday as to whether Mancini would try and sell Balotelli in the summer, Mancini said; "Probably." "I like him as a guy and a player," said Mancini, who purchased Balotelli who he brought up to the senior ranks at his old club Inter Milan for a whopping £24 million in August 2010. "He is not a bad guy and a fantastic player but I'm very sorry for him as he continues to lose his talent and his quality. "I don't have any words for his behaviour. "I hope for him he can understand he is in a bad way for his future and I really hope that he can change his behaviour in the future. He will probably not play in the next six games. "I need to be sure I always have 11 players on the pitch and with Mario this is a big risk." "He's young and could be my son and when you are young you can make mistakes. "Mario made a mistake and I hope for him - not me - that he can change. "He clearly created a big problem but he has also scored important goals for us this season. He needs to change his behaviour if he wants to continue to play. I have seen players like him, who have all this talent, and they are finished in two or three years. "Mario should change, he must change, and I hope for him that he does." Balotelli has scored 17 goals in 31 appearances for City this season.