And why are they willing to pay so much? Does Silvio need a new party buddy? Is Mario just really popular/marketable in Italy?
Before Balotelli came to England, I was a huge proponent of his, but he has since made it clear that he has no intention of maximizing his talent through training and hard work. When JM gave his assessment of Balotelli as being unmanageable, he was pretty much spot-on, and it's doubtful that anyone at Milan will accomplish what JM and Mancini could not. It's possible that being back in Italy will help to refocus Balotelli, but it seems more likely that it will simply make it easier for him to be distracted from on-field activities.
Anyway, congrats on shuffling him off elsewhere (if only we could do the same with Torres). Dzeko is a far better/more useful player than Balotelli, and it was only due to Mancini's biased decision-making that Mario was keeping him out of the team; whoever you get to replace Balotelli will surely be a more useful contributor to your team as well.
Also, to appease my curiousity, does anyone know how many of Balotelli's PL goals (or goals in all competitions) were penalty kicks?
Why do AC Milan want Balotelli?
posted on 30/1/13
Milan have a history of buying players labelled as primadonnas and getting the best out of them. However I have never believed the tabloid gossip or bought into the negative portrayal of MB. Journos and opposition fans love making him a scapegoat villain. I will be sad to see him go because when given a chance he was thoroughly entertaining to watch (and I mean on the field)
posted on 30/1/13
"Milan have a history of buying players labelled as primadonnas and getting the best out of them"
Do you think they'll be able to do that, given that Mancini and JM couldn't? What measures will they use? The paternal and disciplinarian approaches have already been tried. Pato was reportedly more than a handful for them, so I'm not sure if exchanging him for Mario was the right idea.
"I have never believed the tabloid gossip or bought into the negative portrayal of MB. Journos and opposition fans love making him a scapegoat villain."
There's some truth to that, but he does get involved in some shenanigans off the field, and his on-field disciplinary record isn't great (i.e. getting sent off at crucial times).
"I will be sad to see him go because when given a chance he was thoroughly entertaining to watch (and I mean on the field)"
That was sometimes the case, but more often than not, his play was indifferent. As a character and as a player, he'll be missed to some extent, but given City's resources, they have a chance to bring in someone more exciting, who performs with consistency and has a passion for the team's efforts.
As far as Milan go, it will be interesting to see how they adjust their system to fit Balotelli in with El Shaarawy, who appears to be quite good.
posted on 30/1/13
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posted on 30/1/13
Also Milan were in need of a marquee shirt seller x
posted on 30/1/13
A lot of politics involved from what I've read. Burlesconi wanted something to make him more popular to voters because he has an election coming up.
A bit like Tony Blair giving Fergie a knighthood.
posted on 30/1/13
"A lot of politics involved from what I've read. Burlesconi wanted something to make him more popular to voters because he has an election coming up."
Or something to distract from his own antics? Just kidding. I knew Balotelli gained some fans in Italy after the Euros, but didn't realize he was that popular. If SB's counting on Balotelli to boost his popularity, it could dramatically backfire when Mario ups his craziness by a couple of notches.
posted on 30/1/13
http://www.france24.com/en/20130130-left-cries-foul-berlusconi-nabs-bad-apple-balotelli-elections-milan
posted on 31/1/13
Thanks, Inky: interesting read. But it looks like Balotelli has inspired some bad vibes already (not his fault, but it relates to his presence in Milan):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21269119