01 January,2011 11:58 AM IST | | Agencies
Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd insists homesick Italian striker Mario Balotelli will be a big hit in the Premier League once he adapts to his new surroundings.
Balotelli has been linked with a move back to Italy despite having only arrived at City in pre-season following a 24 million pounds (37 million dollars) transfer from Inter Milan.
The 20-year-old occasionally cuts a miserable figure during matches, rarely celebrates his goals and has frequently returned home whenever he gets time off.
However, he has still managed to score eight times in 11 appearances for the English club, as well as being named the best young player in Europe recently.
Balotelli underlined his potential by hitting a hat-trick in Tuesday's win against Aston Villa and City boss Roberto Mancini, who also managed him at Inter, wants to keep him.
Kidd feels Balotelli deserves some sympathy because of the difficulties of adapting to life in a new country at such a young age, rather than abuse because of his perceived bad attitude.
"There has to be an empathy towards players. When they do feel this homesickness you don't brow-beat them all the time," Kidd said.
"The players have been very good with Mario too. There is an understanding there. Everyone tends to look at the materialistic side of things but it is never easy.
"Mario is working hard in training and all the lads were genuinely pleased for him when he got his hat-trick."
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