Roberto Mancini has confirmed his admiration for Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani as he starts planning a summer of potential rebuilding at Manchester City, making it clear he is running out of patience with the players he suspects "think it's enough to play 50%" after winning the Premier League title.

The City manager, speaking in an exclusive interview with the Guardian, also names Radamel Falcao, the brilliant Atlético Madrid forward, when asked about potential transfer targets. He discounts the idea of signing Neymar, saying the Brazilian is not suited to English football, but says it is vital that City go for "big players" and identifies Samir Nasri as someone who has lost his competitive edge since winning the league.

"A player of this quality could be one of the best players in Europe," he says. "But it's not happening. Sometimes a player thinks it's enough what they did the year before and doesn't understand that every day they should improve … Sometimes you get players who think it is not important to work and this is their worst mistake."

Joe Hart's form is also questioned as City face the possibility of Manchester United extending their lead at the top of the table to 15 points by winning Saturday's game at QPR. "It's simple," Mancini says. "If Joe continues to make mistakes, he goes on the bench. I've done it with Samir, [David] Silva and [Carlos] Tevez this season and it can happen with Joe."

Mancini, who reveals he would like to manage England one day and also sees himself eventually moving into a directorial role in football, concedes he has made mistakes of his own but says he does not understand why his position is under scrutiny, arguing: "The first reason [for City being so far behind United] is because we didn't do what we should have done in the summer transfer market – we worked really badly in the market."

He is encouraged by his discussions with City's new chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and the director of football, Txiki Begiristain, saying: "We now have people who know their football."

City's priority will be to sign a replacement for Mario Balotelli and Mancini confirms Cavani is on their shortlist. "I like him, but all the world wants him. There are big players. I don't know what can happen. Suárez plays for a top team like Liverpool. Cavani plays for Napoli.

"Neymar is a good player. He's young. I don't know if he's ready to play in England because the football is totally different. I think he will go to Barcelona or Madrid where the football is more technical. But Cavani and Falcao would work in England. They have experience. Both players are 26, 27. They are good enough to play in England."

Mancini, still aggrieved by City's failure to beat United to the signing of Robin van Persie last summer, explains that he wanted the Dutchman to "improve the mentality" of the squad and help guard against the complacency he suspects has crept in.

He also apologises to Scott Sinclair for giving him only two league starts since signing him from Swansea City. Sinclair may not even be on the bench against Chelsea on Sunday while his former club prepare for the Capital One Cup final against Bradford City. "Scott is my fault," Mancini says. "I haven't given him a chance. It's not his fault. He's working well every day and he hasn't caused any problems ever so I'm very sorry."

• Read the full Roberto Mancini interview here