By MARTIN BLACKBURN
ROBERTO MANCINI last night landed England midfielder Jack Rodwell in a £15million deal.
But the Manchester City boss still wants more new players — despite picking up the season’s first piece of silverware with yesterday’s Community Shield win over Chelsea.
Mancini said: “I liked Jack last year and for this reason we bought him.
“He is a good player who needs to improve to play at this level. But he is young. I think he’s a good player for our future. We are still looking for other players. We are interested in all good players.”
Mancini has begged City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and football administrator Brian Marwood for the cash to splash on more new blood.
Khaldoon is keen to smooth the waters between Mancini and Marwood and the Italian added: “I speak with Khaldoon always.
“Every manager is unhappy when, one week before the start of the season, we haven’t bought any players. But I hope we can do something about that this week.”
Rodwell, 21, had a medical last night before completing his move to the champions from Everton.
The injury-prone star could cost another £6m if he proves a success.
Mancini added: “I’m sure that in a couple of years he will be a top, strong midfielder.”
City’s boss remains keen on Daniel Agger of Liverpool and Swansea’s Scott Sinclair, while he has also been linked with Robin van Persie, Napoli’s Edinson Cavani and Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao.
City saw off the Blues after Fernando Torres had put the Londoners ahead.
Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri made it 3-1 — with Branislav Ivanovic being sent off — before Ryan Bertrand ended the scoring.
Mancini said of an eye-catching Tevez display: “This is the first time in the last four or five years he has had a pre-season and that’s important.”
Chelsea chief Roberto di Matteo admitted the defending champions will take some stopping.
He said: “They’re the favourites, no doubt about it, and we must catch up 25 points from last season.
“I felt we competed well before the red card. I thought there was no intention from our player to hurt the opposition.”
