Mancini's key role in defender's move

Maicon's agent has revealed how Manchester City's new defender rejected the chance to join Chelsea instead after leaving Inter Milan.

The Brazil international sealed a deadline-day move to the Etihad Stadium in a £3m deal that sees him teaming up again with former Inter boss Roberto Mancini.
Maicon's representative Roberto Calenda claims the reigning Champions League holders were keen on securing the player's signature along with the likes of Real Madrid and Paris St Germain, but one phone call from Mancini was enough to persuade him to switch to City.
Calenda told Sky Sport Italia: "He chose Manchester City after rather a long evaluation process.
"All the top clubs who needed someone in that role came looking for Maicon, from Real Madrid via Jose Mourinho to PSG, Chelsea and others.
"Maicon made his decision when Roberto Mancini called, as he had started his Inter adventure with this coach seven years ago.
"There were times during the season when he thought about staying, as he is very tied to the club colours, but after seven years together it was only right that this story should come to an end.
"I'd like to point out that at no point did Maicon demand to be sold, even when there were important proposals in the past. Unlike others, he never put his foot down or made life difficult. He played every Inter game with the utmost determination."