City troublemaker insists he’s turned over a new leaf
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has admitted he is relishing his new found maturity and insisted his troublemaking days are a thing of the past.
The Italian has been involved in a countless number of incidents since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Inter Milan for £24 million last year with throwing darts at youth team players, a training ground brawl and failing to appear on the clubs FA Cup victory parade the most notable.
However the 20-year-old has declared that his bad boy days are behind him and four goals in as many games, no yellow cards and some impressive performances support the notion that he can control his juvenile behaviour.
“This is down to me, because it’s me that has changed my life,” he said.
“Well, I didn’t change my life, but things like, I don’t live in town anymore. I’m outside now [in the country] so it’s more quiet.
“I try to stay at home more. Maybe I’ll stay in now with my family, my brother or my girlfriend.
“They weren’t here last year, they came sometimes but they were not based here. That’s definitely helped.
“It’s quieter now but also I am growing up. If, last year, I missed home so much, maybe now I miss it a little bit less.
“I’m OK now, I’m good. I’m happy – the only problem is the weather. Everything is getting better.”
Balotelli also paid tribute to manager Roberto Mancini admits he feels comfortable knowing the 46-year-old believes in him.
“With Mancini, I feel very comfortable. I’ve known him a long time and he’s a good manager.
“He believes in me. Even when no-one in England believed in me, he did.
“And he kept on believing in me. I want to do something important here with him.”
