Roberto Mancini’s deputy David Platt has urged Samir Nasri to keep delivering for Manchester City now the French playmaker is back in form.
Nasri was singled out for criticism from Roberto Mancini, who even admitted he wanted to punch the former Arsenal man, after a series of below-par performances, including a red card against Norwich City.
But after seeing him star in recent weeks, scoring at Wembley against Chelsea and at Tottenham Hotspur, Platt insists the 25-year-old is still a key City player.
“Samir, since he has been here, has blown hot and cold,” he told Sky Sports.
“When he has been hot he has been absolutely roasting, he has been a tremendous player.
“Samir is an exceptional player. You don’t expect anything different from him.”
Platt also defended the former Arsenal man’s performances earlier in the year, which saw him dropped from the starting line-up before injuries to David Silva and James Milner.
Platt, himself a former Gunners favourite, believes the French international did not deserve all the criticism he received.
He said: “Every player can have his good games and bad games.
“Even when people have been critical of him, I don’t think he has had bad games.
“He is a very important player for us.”
Image courtesy of MCFC, via YouTube, with thanks
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