...they are joined at the hip!

Then there's Mario the fashion icon - NHS specs and all! Not all the players agree, of course, and there were one or two items of clothing he wore last season which raised the odd eyebrow including bright red trainers that wouldn't have looked out of place on Ronald McDonald.

And what about Mario the big brother as illustrated here with younger sibling Enoch? City's talented forward loves to have his family around him whenever possible and Enoch's been a regular visitor to Carrington this season. No sign of the much-loved dog Lucky as yet, though...

Don't forget Mario the team player and team-mate. After teasing Edin Dzeko about his shoe size, Mario enjoys a laugh with the Bosnian striker who denies the accusation he sells his old boots as lifeboats.

And there is also Mario the tireless charity worker. He loves kids and helped an Italian orphanage buy a new horse last year as well as numerous other visits around the world and is always happy to go and help good causes, but particularly if children are involved.

In fact, as he prepared to stain the wooden fence at his city centre pad (OK, we made that bit up to fit!), Mario suggested he's exactly like the Cuprinol advert in that he does exactly as it says on the tin - entertain, score goals and leave a lasting impression. That's why we love him!

We asked for a typical picture to finish the gallery with and he suggested his impression of Homer Simpson's reaction to doughnuts...

Joe Hart won't have enjoyed the 2-2 midweek draw with Montenegro, especially as team-mate Stefan Savic provided the teasing cross that cost England two points in the dying seconds, but qualification was achieved nonetheless. Joe promised to give Stefan a warm welcome at training...

Another clutch of returning Blues included Edin Dzeko, whose Bosnia side were pipped to automatic qualification by Samir's France; Kolo Toure, who was away with the Ivory Coast and Nigel de Jong, who is still finding his way back to full fitness.This routine was not one taken from Strictly Come Dancing, though it might have borrowed the odd move here and there. 

Gareth Barry looked to have former club Aston Villa on his mind during a committed session. No doubt the England star will be looking to put one over on his former employers as well as maintaining his fine start to the campaign.

David Silva, fresh from his stunning performance against Scotland in midweek has promised to keep one eye covered against Villa to give the Midlanders a sporting chance. He's turned down Alex McLeish's request to play with his laces tied together as well, however....

Vincent Kompany warned his colleagues not to mention Germany after Belgium's exit from Euro 2012 on Tuesday. He wasn't impressed by the news that Turkey, the country who pipped the Belgians to second place, was on the lunchtime menu, though.

 

 

 

Here's one of her favourites. We were going to caption this "Portrait of a Foootball Genius", but he's so modest he'd probably protest. Thousands of Blues wouldn't, nor would a few disconsolate Scots ...   

 

Rivals no longer make the mistake of thinking they can batter him off the ball - he's tough as old boots. But he likes a challenge, which is why he's secretly practising having his legs bound together to give the other team a chance ... 

 

Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the Silva ball ... David the pinball wizard plays by intuition to pile up more replays than the third round of the FA Cup. Such a supple wrist, as you'd see if he didn't have his jacket on ...  

 

All that pinball - and the odd game of football too - can really take it out of you. David catches a few zeds on a Champions League flight, but Sharon never sleeps. Just like a shark, except with a camera ...

 

Hey, who says I never relax? Get this shot quick before I'm outta here. The cap is the clue. David tests out one of the settees at LA Dodgers on the summer tour: "Let's get a couple of these for Carrington, eh boss?" Sofa, so good ...

 

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