MX23RW : Sunday, January 12 20:56:37| >> :120:8181:8181:

Joe Royle: 'Mario Balotelli exit is no loss to Manchester City'

Former Manchester City boss Joe Royle believes that "nightmare" Mario Balotelli will not be missed by the Premier League champions.

Former Manchester City manager Joe Royle has admitted that he never understood the "fuss" over striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italy international is due to leave the Premier League champions before tomorrow's transfer deadline after reportedly agreeing a deal with AC Milan.

"I'll only remember him as a great penalty-taker," The Express quotes Royle as saying. "Apart from that, I have never understood what all the fuss is about. He has got no work-rate.

"I have never seen a player walk as much as he does on the pitch. He doesn't score enough goals and there are too many headlines off the pitch, what with the parking fines, fireworks and silly T-shirts. If you look back at City's run-in last season, when they won the Premier League, he was a nightmare."

Reports have claimed that the 22-year-old has taken a significant paycut to return to Italy.

ID:66693: cacheID:66693:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1427:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Carlos Tevez shows his frustration during the Manchester derby on December 9, 2012
Read Next:
Royle blasts Mancini
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Steelers
14-28
Ravens
6pm
Broncos
@
Bills
9.30pm
Packers
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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!