Everton skipper Phil Neville admits he's a fan of controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.
The former England international believes it is only natural to see dips in form from a young player and has compared him to Blues duo Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman.
"He's a nightmare to play against because more than anything he's got undoubted ability and when someone has got that ability you've got to pay them the respect they deserve," he told evertontv.
"People forget he's a young player, and when you're young you do things that are wrong as well as right, that's just the fabric of young players.
"We've got two young players - Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman - and you don't quite get the consistency you do at that age as you do at 24 or 25.
"But I've watched him (Balotelli) play in the last few weeks and I think he's been outstanding, forget the rubbish that goes along with him - he's a quality player."
