Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has conceded it was his style of football that led to Rolando Bianchi's return to Italy this week.City splashed out £8.8million on Bianchi in the summer following his exploits with Reggina where he scored 19 goals in 40 league starts for the club.

Eriksson was convinced he could turn Bianchi into a Premier League star, but despite scoring just 18 minutes into his debut in a 2-0 opening-day win at West Ham, the 24-year-old has since struggled.

A further four goals followed in 23 appearances, although Bianchi only started in nine of those games as he found himself primarily on the bench.

Far from happy, reports from Italy had Bianchi complaining about the British food and - as a teetotaller - the drinking culture in this country.

Eriksson maintains such claims are ill-founded, and the only reason why Bianchi joined Lazio on loan until the end of the season was purely football-related.

"We bought eight players in the summer, and seven of them settled in very, very well," said Eriksson.

"Bianchi had more difficulties doing that, mainly because of the way we play.

"He wanted to play football, and to do that we have allowed him to go back to Italy for the rest of the season.

"I understand him because before he arrived here, he was a step away from being in the national team.

"His dream is to be involved with Italy in the European Championship finals this summer, and to do that he has to play.

"The fact he didn't settle is nothing to do with the food. He ate in the canteen every day, and we have a Portuguese chef, and he's good.

"The only way he didn't settle was with the football, but I think he liked it here - I'm sure he did.

"All the boys liked him because he is well educated, and he never did any stupid things or anything like that.

"It's just that he struggled a little bit with the way we played football."

Eriksson concedes there is a possibility Bianchi could return in the summer, but it is more than likely Lazio will sign him on a permanent basis.

"With the agreement with Lazio, they have the right to buy him at the end of the season for a certain figure. That's the Italian way," added Eriksson.

"They would never take a player on loan if they didn't have the right to buy him at the end of the season.

"They say they are building up the value of our player if he plays for them and then scores 15 goals this season. So we accepted that.

"But then he might come back, and if he does then good."

With Nery Castillo recovering after dislocating a shoulder, it would appear Eriksson is short of striking options for Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Sheffield United.

But Emile Mpenza is fit after a five-week lay-off with a hamstring injury, while 18-year-old Daniel Sturridge joins the squad.

Eriksson believes Sturridge, who scored a hat-trick in City's 3-1 FA Youth Cup win over Reading on Wednesday, is a star of the future.

"He is strong and his technique is excellent as he has a very good first touch," said Eriksson.

"He is friends with the ball. He doesn't fight with it. It comes to him naturally. He is a good player, now and for the future."

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