Speculation that Stevan Jovetic is either homesick or has a mystery mental ailment has been sweeping the message boards and other supporters forums that Manchester City fans frequent. I myself as a City supporter, who presumably knows what is going on with the club, have gotten over a half-dozen questions directly about Jovetic in the past fortnight. Now the questions have gone public and have been asked directly of manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Pellegrini’s response to a question about Jovetic from Stuart Brennan, the City beat reporter for the Manchester Evening News leaves more questions than answers.

“I always believe that a player cannot do it unless he feels he can do it.

“I will support the players. I believe in the players and I believe in Jovetic.

“He has had a very bad luck for the first half of the year and I hope the second half will be very good for him. He is trying to do everything.”

When asked what Jovetic’s problem was Pellegrini said:

“It is difficult to know. I hope this will be the last one and he can start playing. He is an important player.”

When asked if Jovetic had a mental issue, Pellegrini replied:

“I can’t say that, no.”

Jovetic was a great hope this summer when signed after a good spell at Fiorentina. But his initial poor play followed up by succession of injuries has many concerned that he has been a bust. Last week on the ESPN FC program, Gab Marciotti named Jovetic one of the two worst signings in the summer transfer window along with Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado.

While he remains at Manchester City, it appears Pellegrini’s comments about Edin Dzeko not being sold in Janaury may be due to Jovetic’s continued difficulties. In time one can hope the Montenegrin star settles in English football but it is quite possible he never will. Still the potential of Jovetic is immense and if he does come good, it will be like a new signing for the Blues in the heart of the title race.

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