Ancelotti backs City new boy to shine

New Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli can be a big hit in the Barclays Premier League, according to Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Balotelli could make a surprise debut for big-spending City on Thursday against Timisoara in the Europa League play-off.

Blues manager Ancelotti is an admirer of the 20-year-old, who arrived at Eastlands in a reported £22.5m deal.

“Mario is a great player who comes into a team that was already strong last year, which has improved in the transfer window,” Ancelotti told Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport.

“Balotelli is a player suited to this league. He is very strong physically and technically. He will slot into his new team in a hurry.”

Ancelotti guided Chelsea to the double in his first season last year, and saw his team open the new campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian believes if Roberto Mancini can gel all of his multi-million pound talent together, then City – who drew 0-0 at Tottenham on Saturday – could challenge for the championship.

“If he manages to assemble very strong players like Yaya Toure, [David] Silva and Balotelli in a hurry, then yes, City will be ready to fight for first place,” Ancelotti said.