3. Mancinis Reputation
Now we get down to the nitty-gritty. Roberto Mancini has shown an awful lot of faith in Balotelli, firstly signing him for 22million, then supporting him through various misdemeanours, and finally playing him in arguably Citys biggest game of the season so far, the Manchester derby against United. Whether he should have played someone who had scored just once in the Premier League this season and who was performing well below his par is indisputable he shouldnt but the fact he did goes to show how much faith Mancini has in the Italy striker. If, after three seasons in which we have yet to see the best of Balotelli, Mancini were to decide he should be sold, the managers judgement would inevitably be called into question. Balotelli is Mancinis pet project. He allows the striker to get away with far more than any of his other players, probably at the detriment to the morale of the rest of the squad. Mancini may have sanctioned the two week fine that Balotelli had appealed against but that punishment was long, long overdue. If Mancini wants to sell Balotelli now the director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, and chief executive Ferran Soriano, will wonder if the clubs money can be trusted in Mancinis hands. Perhaps they would be better calling the transfer shots and leaving Mancini to work solely on the training ground. Given how much Mancini complained over the lack of transfer action over the summer it is unlikely the Italian will be happy to hand over all incomings and outgoings to boardroom, and could spell the beginning of the end for Mancini and City