While Mario Balotelli was getting himself involved in a number of escapades at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini and the club’s hierarchy justified keeping him on the books on account of his rich potential.

The 22-year-old Italian had shown the world what he could do when fully focused on the task at hand against Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.

But his very public bust up with Mancini was the straw that broke the camel’s back at the Etihad as he was shipped off to Milan in January.

Even though, the former Inter striker was moving to the club he has always supported, you could excuse anyone who harboured doubts that the circus would not follow him to the San Siro, despite Mancini’s parting words that Super Mario would go on to become one of the world’s best forwards at Milan.

But judging from his early forays at Milan, Balotelli is well on his way to that becoming one of the world’s leading forwards. Seven league goals in his first six games – all excellent strikes - is an astonishing feat for a player who is readjusting to life back in Serie A. He also scored a fantastic equaliser against Brazil on Thursday night in an end-to-end friendly.

But why has his on-field mentality changed so quickly?

Living in Italy with his family at hand is obviously a boost. It is easy to underestimate how difficult it is for players who move abroad at such a young age and in such a public manner, regardless of their salary. There are some things money cannot buy and it seems Balotelli never settled in Manchester.

But there are far more pertinent reasons than that. Before moving to England, the then-teenager was still regarded as something of a trouble-maker in his home country.

Although his then-manager Jose Mourinho can laugh about his relationship with his young star now, he often clashed with the temperamental teenager while in charge of Inter.

And despite the fact that Balotelli had a father-son relationship with Mancini, their time together was marked by regular ups and downs.

In contrast he has seemed to thrive under the calmer influences of Italy manager Cesare Prandelli and his Milan counterpart Massimiliano Allegri compared to the fiery Mancini and Mourinho.

The different context that he finds himself is also interesting. At Inter and Manchester he was a young starlet in a team packed with experienced heads like Javier Zanetti who demanded responsibility from those around them.

Convincing Balotelli to take responsibility was even beyond even those with whom he shared a dressing room. In contrast, this current Milan squad is incredibly young with a host of players in their early to mid-20s with the exception of three or four players.

In those circumstances, Balotelli has been thrust with a leadership mantle almost immediately, out of necessity – and that seems to have had a galvanising effect on him along with the fact that he has always been a Milan supporter.

Of course another meltdown could be around the corner but for the signs are excellent...