Super Mario keen to stay put

Huzzah! A breakthrough in the long-running Mario Balotelli story!

Once again, it appears as if the supposed "breaking point" in the Balotelli/Roberto Mancini love affair looks to have been healed after the Metro reports the player's agent saying that his client has no intention of leaving Manchester City.

Reports had emerged that the Italian striker was set to depart the club in the January transfer window after the player, who has been in poor form so far this season, was dropped from the City squad to play Tottenham last week after allegations of late night partying.

Perhaps Mancini should cut Balotelli a little slack. It is "Madchester" after all. Anyone who has sampled it on a Friday night will know that the temptations to go back out are often too good to deny, particularly if you're an international footballer!

One thing is for sure: Balotelli needs a Premier League goal, and fast.

Adam Mazrani