Balotelli can be better than Torres, claims Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has declared that new signing Mario Balotelli has the ability to outshine Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.

Balotelli completed his £24m switch to Eastlands from Inter Milan last week after signing a five-year deal with the Italian’s City side.

And the former Inter boss, who worked with the 20-year-old striker during his time at the San Siro, claims Balotelli’s adaptability will help transform him into one of the world’s best.

“I think that Balotelli could be as good as Torres and even better than him,” Mancini said. “That’s because Torres can only play as a striker. Balotelli can play as a striker and as a winger. He has a different attitude from Torres. But what is sure is that we are talking about two fantastic players.”

Balotelli is expected to make his Premier League debut tonight when Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool visit the City of Mancester Stadium.

Mancini added: “I saw him four years ago when I was at Inter Milan. He was 16 or 17.

“It was the last five games of the Serie A championship. We had (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic injured and we played Mario inside and he played like someone who was 30 years old.

“That’s because he has good technique, he has everything. Yes, he is a good signing for us.”