Man City's Mario risks wasting talent

Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong believes temperamental team-mate Mario Balotelli risks wasting his talent unless he learns to steer clear of the controversies which have embroiled his career. Balotelli found himself at the centre of another furore on Sunday after his bizarre attempt at a backheeled finish against the Los Angeles Galaxy led to manager Roberto Mancini substituting him after 30 minutes. It was the latest incident to tarnish the 20-year-old's spell at Eastlands, which has already seen him reprimanded by Mancini for his poor disciplinary record as well as a training ground fight with team-mate Jerome Boateng. Now De Jong has urged Balotelli to change his ways as City prepare to mount a challenge for the upcoming Premier League campaign. Dutch international De Jong admitted he was baffled by Balotelli's failed trick shot. "I've played with some strange characters in the past but it's the first time I have seen that," De Jong told The Guardian. "It is frustrating, and he has to iron out those issues otherwise it will be a waste of his talent. He has to realise that now. "All his team-mates are here to help him but he's his own person and he is the only one who can change his ways." De Jong said Balotelli had the support of his team-mates but ultimately only he could change his attitude. "I think everybody in the dressing room tries to have an influence on him, not only me. Everybody is trying but it is on him to change himself now. He has to realise it's up to him," he said. "He must have been sitting on the bench afterwards thinking: 'Why did I do that?' But it's for him to learn. He has to realise that something like this will not be accepted, either by the team or the staff."