Dzeko to stay and fight for his place

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko
is determined to stay at the club and
fight for his place despite the fact
manager Roberto Mancini was once
again spotted looking at alternatives
to bolster his attacking line last
weekend.
Mancini was seen in the stands
watching Atletico Madrid, and
looked to be keeping a close eye on
the impressive and in-demand
Colombia forward Radamel Falcao.
The weekend trip comes months
after Mancini missed out on his top
summer transfer target Robin van
Persie, with the blow only
intensified when the Dutchman
moved to bitter rivals Manchester
United.
Dzeko would likely be the man to
make way should Mancini decide to
bring in a new attacking option, yet
the erratic pair of Mario Balotelli
and Carlos Tevez could also be in the
mix, given their chequered pasts
and reportedly strained
relationships with Mancini.
City's Bosnia striker has wasted
little time this season showcasing
his talents, having already netted
eight goals for club and country so
far, and he is confident that he will
continue displaying his talents in
front of goal and earn his place in
Mancini's frontline.
"Every time I see a paper, for what
seems like a year or more there is a
story saying that I am leaving City,
or that I want to go. But I've never
said that so the stories don't come
from me. I've always wanted to stay
at City and fight for my place,"
Dzeko said.
"My motto has always been: 'Never
give up'. I hope the City fan,s who
have always been fantastic towards
me, have seen I can score important
goals for the team and that's what I
want to carry on doing.
Dzeko did admit, however, that he
does find it difficult being part of a
group of big name strikers at
Manchester City, which includes
Sergio Aguero, Tevez and Balotelli.
This has meant Dzeko has had to get
used to being regularly left on the
bench and used sparingly in games
at the club, something that makes it
difficult for him to build up much
momentum.
"There is myself and three fantastic
strikers so obviously we can't all
play at the same time," Dzeko said.
"So sometimes it can be difficult to
find your rhythm. You could play one
game and then be on the bench for
the next three. I think confidence is
the key to playing at your best, of
course. Plus the more games you
play, the more goals you are likely
to score.
"But, as I say, with many good
strikers at the club that's how it's
going to be. As a player you accept
that and just try your best each time
you play. That's what I do and will
continue to do
Atletico Madrid's general manager
Gil Martin has given some indication
that the club may look to cash-in on
Falcao in next summer's transfer
window, with the Colombia striker
in demand following a prolific year
with the Colchoneros. But Martin did
state any move for Falcao would
have to wait for the summer and
would not happen any earlier.
"That €60 million would solve all the
economic problems at Atletico. It
would cover our debts. I can say for
sure though that he will stay with us
until the end of the season."