Mario Balotelli: Roberto Mancini supports me

Mario Balotelli
© PA Photos
Mario Balotelli reiterates that he has "no intention" of leaving Manchester City, despite constant reports surrounding the striker's future.

Mario Balotelli has reiterated his desire to stay at Manchester City and believes that he is "lucky" to work under manager Roberto Mancini.

The 21-year-old striker has been a regular headline-maker since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium from Inter Milan in 2010, which has caused some reports to suggest that the Italian is expected to leave the Premier League challengers in the summer.

Despite a number of public spats with Mancini, Balotelli has insisted that the 47-year-old has "always" supported him.

"My future? Why do you always talk of Inter and Milan for me? I'm at City and I have no intention of changing shirt," Balotelli told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"First of all I need to improve as a player. I am lucky to work with Mancini. He's one of the best coaches in the world, maybe the best.

"After my red card against Arsenal he feared a long ban so he spoke about me with so harsh words. But we have explained things to each other. I know he believes in me, as he always has done."

The controversial frontman is currently serving a three-match ban.

Daniel Sturridge
Read Next:
Man City to swoop for Sturridge?
>
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester362211364343077
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs361913467283970
3Arsenal361910759342567
4Manchester CityMan City361971068383064
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd35179943311260
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham351514660431759
7Southampton361691153391457
8Liverpool3515101059481155
9Chelsea351212115548748
10Stoke CityStoke36139143852-1448
11Everton351014115549644
12Watford35128153642-644
13Swansea CitySwansea361110153750-1343
14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361011153246-1441
15Bournemouth36118174363-2041
16Crystal Palace36109173646-1039
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3689193964-2533
18Sunderland35711174058-1832
19Norwich CityNorwich3587203561-2631
RAston Villa3637262772-4516