From throwing darts at City youth-team members, his Maserati being impounded a record 27 times, altercations with Cheshire police, to setting off fireworks in his bathroom…
We have ALL missed him. His theatrical behaviour both on and off the pitch made Balotelli a Premier League cult hero from the moment he joined Manchester City in 2010. But he was almost equally as known for his sheer presence on the pitch, as well as the spectacular goals he scored. But on his return, the spotlight may remain on his ability to beat his demons and mature as a player.
It was only at the start of the transfer window that Rodgers refuted any claims that Balotelli would be returning to the Premier League in a Liverpool jersey. Bring the clocks forward a few weeks and Rodgers was quoted saying Balotelli is on his ‘last chance’ and was to sign for Liverpool. He also referred to his new player as someone who he could assist in ‘curbing his flaws’.
The dynamics of Liverpool’s management spells a completely different era for Balotelli at Anfield. It is one which could go either way. This will either be his last season in the PL or the first of many for the former AC Milan striker.
‘Time will tell’, Rodgers stated to the press. ‘Of course it is a risk… but he knows he needs to fit into our culture’.
Or does he?
Balotelli leaves a mark wherever he finds himself. So what are the chances we see a different Balotelli this season? Rodgers doesn’t seem to have a same mentality as Balotelli’s old manager, Roberto Mancini, who even had a physical altercation with Balotelli during training in his Manchester City days. It seems that last time around that the fathering of Mancini in his relationship with Balotelli proved temperamental at best.
A manager like Rodgers, who chose not to seek the opinion of previous managers, is one of few who could provide direction to the often controversial wildcard that is Balotelli. One thing that can be said is that if Brendan Rodgers is able to cap the issues which have accompanied Balotelli in his young career, Liverpool will be looking at the future spearhead of their attack.
The media highlighted similar risks with the signing of Sturridge and Sterling on similar terms, but look at how far they have come.
So who better to replace Suarez – an often difficult player with satirical, estranged public image, who allows his ability on the pitch to overshadow his immaturity, questionable antics and poor attitude to the sport? Balotelli is the type of player to make an impact no matter what, and can prove to be Liverpool’s Achilles heel, or their spearhead in attack – if he can team up well with Sturridge, we could possibly be looking at one of Europe’s most deadly partnerships.
And for £16 million, there are not many teams that wouldn’t cash in on the opportunity for the very under-priced striker, based on the current transfer fees we see today.
So what can we expect from super Mario?
If Balotelli fails to flourish under the management of Rodgers, this could spell problems for the remaining career of the 24-year old Italian international. I mean, it’s clear his reign in the PL would be over for one. Mancini treated Balotelli like a son, and nurtured him to no avail.
Mario, as much as we love your antics, there’s business to do. It is up to Balotelli to decide which heights he wants to reach in football.
Much will be asked of Balotelli as he begins probably his next most important era of his career. How Rodgers plans to keep Super Mario’s reputation from determining his future at Anfield, we are yet to find out. How the focus will remain on Balotelli’s football, and not his escapades into the local women’s prison or from playing his iPad whilst on the bench, remains a mystery.
But if one thing is for sure…
Our weekends just got a whole lot more interesting!