Mario Balotelli is Future of Italian Football Says Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Mario Balotelli has the potential to become one of the best players in Europe and has criticised Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho for letting the striker go.

He said: ‘I love Balotelli. Sure he is young and like all youngsters he makes mistakes, but I never get upset with him.

‘I wasn’t at Inter for the last two years, so I don’t know what happened. But given that Mario could become the best Italian player there is, then I probably wouldn’t have let him go.’

Meanwhile, Balotelli’s plans to build an outdoor hot tub on the side of his 2 million pound apartment have been scuppered by officials.

Manchester city council rejected the proposal claiming the balcony and extension would alter the structure of the 200ft tower block.

Days earlier, the 20-year-old was pictured in Italy dining close to AC Milan’s chief executive Adriano Galliani sparking rumours that he’s ready to leave Man City.