MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 19:59:53| >> :120:6760:6760:
General view of the Etihad

Manchester City

Mario Balotelli receives Yaya Toure backing

By , Features Editor
Balotelli receives Toure backing
© PA Photos
Manchester City's Yaya Toure feels that Mario Balotelli will end up making the most of potential.

Yaya Toure has tipped his Manchester City teammate Mario Balotelli to become "one of the top strikers in the Premier League".

Italian international Balotelli has been involved in a number of incidents both on and off the field of play ever since he joined City in the summer of 2010 from Inter Milan.

However, despite acknowledging that the 22-year-old could benefit from controlling his anger, Toure has backed Balotelli to eventually fulfil his potential.

"Mario is an unbelievable player, but sometimes he can be angry with himself. All players need to improve," Toure told the Manchester Evening News.

"He has fantastic character and I know he will be one of the top strikers in the Premier League."

City, who travel to Newcastle United at the weekend, are currently second in the Premier League.

ID:59085: cacheID:59085:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1767:
Written by
Liam Apicella 
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Yaya Toure is congratulated by Samir Nasri after scoring his team's first goal on December 9, 2012
Read Next:
Toure: 'Don't write us off'
>
Read more about Yaya Toure Mario Balotelli Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
> View full version> Yesterday's results
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205
> Premier League Full Table


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!