Former Manchester City midfielder Gary Owen is adamant that Mario Balotelli still has a future at the club.
The Italian striker has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium after taking the club to a Premier League tribunal over a £340,000 fine handed to him last season because of his poor disciplinary record.
However, Owen believes that Balotelli still has a future with City, but only if he can keep manager Roberto Mancini onside.
"I don't think Roberto Mancini wants Mario Balotelli to go," Owen told talkSPORT. "There are a lot of supporters who are frustrated and would like to see the back of him, but some still think he will come good.
"I don't think Roberto would want to see him move on, it might be a different situation in the summer but I think the manager would like him to prove himself.
"I've seen him booked, sent off and put the team under pressure many times and that outweighs the good things he's done for Man City. He's a professional footballer and he needs to perform and work in a team ethic, he's got a long way to go. He's frustrating more than exciting. You know he can produce these things but it's so rare."
Balotelli has scored three goals for the Premier League champions in all competitions so far this season.
Matt Cotton
