4-goal Dzeko ready to shine: Mancini

Roberto Mancini believes Edin Dzeko’s four-goal haul in the 5-1 victory over Tottenham is confirmation the Bosnia striker is now ready to make an impact on the Premier League.

Dzeko struggled last season, scoring twice in 15 league appearances following his £27 million move from Wolfsburg, but has now scored six in City’s opening three league fixtures, and was also on target in the Community Shield defeat against Manchester United.

Mancini is delighted to see Dzeko finally show his quality and the Italian said: “I was sure that Dzeko could score a lot of goals here in the Premier League. He has scored always in his career, at every club where he has played.”

Dzeko admitted he had taken time to settle but he feels comfortable in his new surroundings now.

“Last time I scored four goals was in Germany in a game against a Third Division side in the Cup,” he said.

“To score four goals in the Premier League is fantastic. I always had a lot of confidence in myself. I wasn’t 100 per cent fit when I first came in January, but I feel better and stronger now.”

City have won their opening three games, scoring twelve goals in the process and the introduction of Samir Nasri for his debut alongside Sergio Aguero, the scorer of City’s other goal at White Hart Lane, confirmed they possess a potent threat.

Mancini was frustrated, however, that his side allowed Younes Kaboul to head a consolation for Tottenham and insisted it was too early to get carried away by City’s start.

“I’m disappointed only with the goal we conceded, only for this,” he said. “We need to pay more attention in this situation.

“It was important we started the season well. The games coming up will be very hard and we won’t score three or four in every game, this is impossible.”

Spurs have now lost their opening two league games, conceding eight goals in the process and manager Harry Redknapp admitted the club has been through an unsettling time.

Luka Modric has been repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea who are reported to be considering tabling a final £40 million offer before the transfer deadline on August 31.

And striker Peter Crouch has been touted for a switch to Stoke City.

Redknapp believes the uncertainty has done nothing to help his plans and revealed Modric approached him before the City game to ask to be left out, before the manager convinced the Croatia international to play.

“The game was disappointing, but I feel we’ve had a terrible pre-season,” Redknapp said.

“There’s been a feeling round the place, for me, it’s not been right.

“People going, people wanting to go. Crouchy to Stoke in the papers every day and we have to play him.

“I don’t know where that’s come from. No one’s ever told me that he’s going to Stoke. It’s all been a bit unsettling, but they’re a good side.

“I played Luka today even though he came to see me before kick-off and he told me he didn’t feel his head was right.

“I told him he needed to play. I had injuries in midfield. He’s our main man. I needed him to play.”

Redknapp believes Modric has been distracted by talk of a possible move but insisted the player will stay.

He said: “His head’s been turned. It’s probably been turned again last night. We all know what goes on in the game.

“Anyone who thinks he’s not being told what’s going on is dreaming. Something happened last night, I don’t know what. He was ok to play yesterday morning.”

Redknapp also confirmed Rafael van der Vaart left the pitch with a torn hamstring and that he remains interested in signing West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy.

He said: “Scott Parker is a player we’ve always been interested in, but at the moment we’ve not signed him.

“He’s on the radar, along with a lot of other players. I like Bellamy, he’s a possibility.”

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