Roberto Mancini has revealed his surprise at Manchester City's decision to let Daniel Sturridge leave the club permanently.

The 22-year-old spent six years at the North West club before making the switch to Chelsea in 2009.

"It was strange because Sturridge was developed in Manchester and someone let him go," said Mancini. "For sure he was one of the best young players at City. It was not difficult to see he was a good player.

"If Sturridge was here today, he'd be in the first team. I've watched him many times and know him well. When we played Bolton last year [where Sturridge was on loan from Chelsea], I asked him why he had left City. He said he didn't know. It would have been better for City to send him on loan to improve than let him leave altogether."

The striker will face his former club at Stamford Bridge tonight.