In-form striker Edin Dzeko has thanked Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini for keeping faith with him.
Dzeko scored four times in a match for the second time in his career on Sunday when he helped put Tottenham to the sword in a 5-1 thrashing at White Hart Lane.
The Bosnia striker has started the season in red hot form, scoring seven goals in four matches. In doing so, he has topped the Premier League scoring chart and has already equalled his goal-scoring tally from last season.
The 25-year-old arrived in England in January from Wolfsburg with a reputation for being one of the continent’s most clinical goalscorers but was quickly written off as an expensive flop after struggling to make an impact.
The £27m striker has proved his worth quickly this year, though, and is keen to keep repaying Mancini for the remainder of the season by staying at the top of the scoring table.
“I am happy that he kept faith with me because I think that’s the most important thing in football – that the coach and the players around you believe in you,” Dzeko said.
“The beginning was hard for me, but I wanted to have a full pre-season with the team. Now I have had that and I know the league better. I feel much stronger than last season.
“Thinking about the Golden Boot is too far ahead. I don’t think about that. I think every striker’s dream is that but it’s not the priority for me.”
City were criticised last season for not playing attacking football but they have now racked up 12 goals in three matches.
Another complaint aimed at Roberto Mancini’s men was that his squad were only at the Etihad Stadium to boost their bank balances, but Dzeko disagrees.
“Everyone when they speak about Manchester City only talks about how we spend money,” Dzeko said.
“Of course, we spend but other teams spend as well. I think we showed what we can do. When you play football like that, it is amazing.”
Dzeko’s performances, and the arrival of Sergio Aguero, have meant that City have barely been affected by Carlos Tevez’s pleas to leave the club.
The Argentina striker was a spectator at White Hart Lane on Sunday, where the former Manchester United hitman did not even come off the bench.
With Tevez and Mario Balotelli among Manchester City’s forward line, Dzeko is wary about resting on his laurels.
“I think nobody is guaranteed a start,” Dzeko added.
“That’s why we are very strong. We have a lot more than 11 good players.
“We have 22 or even more. Scoring seven goals is something amazing for me though. Every striker is there to score goals.”