Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng involved in a training ground bust-up
Rumours about the unrest at Manchester City’s camp proved to be true on Friday when teammates Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng were involved in a bust-up during the training session.
Fellow players rushed to the scene to separate the two men, who were tangled in a furious scrap in front of manager Roberto Mancini.
It was reported that Balotelli was not happy with Boateng’s tackle and reacted by grabbing the German international by the neck.
However, the situation was brought under control after the intervention of other players on the pitch and later, the two players were at peace.
After the incident, Mancini had a talk with Balotelli, who has already had temperament issues in the past at his former club FC Internazionale.
However, the club sources played down any significance of the incident. A club official said, “It was a minor flare-up lasting a few seconds and a reflection of the competitive edge the players apply to training every day. It's
not something we are remotely concerned about.”
Mario was also sent off in City’s game against West Ham United last month, when he acted violently and got involved in a tussle with Youssuf Mulumbu.
The £23 million striker moved to the City of Manchester Stadium from San Siro at the start of this season.
There is no question over the player’s scoring abilities, but Mancini will have to teach the 20-year-old how to control his anger, in order to bring out the best in him.
Meanwhile, England international Joleon Lescott has voiced his concerns over the manager’s selection policies.
Lescott, who was a regular starter last season for the Citizens under former manager Mark Hughes, has only managed 6 appearances in 16 English Premier League games.
The former Everton FC left back is also worried about his international career, if he does not feature consistently in club games.
The 28-year-old defender also commented that a loan move away from Manchester to gain some playing time was also on the cards.
Joleon said, “Of course. I'm not happy with the situation,' said Lescott. 'I don't enjoy sitting on the bench, and sometimes not even making the bench. That's down to me and the club. The club might say, "If there's a chance to
play, go and play". If not, I will have to stay here. Fabio Capello has kept his confidence in me and I'm grateful for that. But there's going to come a time when, if I'm not playing for City, I'm not going to be in the England squad.”
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