Balotelli

[Cleveland Steamer]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41174.msg1144487#msg1144487 date=1280399811]
[quote author=Cleveland Steamer link=topic=41174.msg1144480#msg1144480 date=1280399254]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41174.msg1144461#msg1144461 date=1280397772]
We'd have no chance of signing him?

How about the very obvious fact that Rafa and Inter would love to sign Masher? We could insist on Balotelli coming the other way as part of the deal, no? There's no deal done with City and they've offered 20m thus far, that's all. Inter are also obviously keen to offload Balotelli.

It might be so that Hodgson wouldn't much fancy him, but to say that we'd have no chance of getting him given we hold a trump card in Masher is bollocks.

Most people thought we had "no chance" of signing Joe Cole.

[/quote]


Buddha you need to sort your Chakra's out mate. Seriously there is NO chance of him coming here. Messi maybe but Balotelli?....... No Chance. Oh and for the record I alway's thought we had a good chance of landing Cole 😉
[/quote]

For the last fucking time...

1) Rafa's prime transfer target is Mascherano
2) We "own" Mascherano
3) Inter clearly want to sell Balotelli
4) We insist on Balotelli being part of any deal that takes Mascherano to Inter.
[/quote]

Zen Buddha Zen....... Think of a happy place..... I suggest a world where Balotelli comes nowhere near our club. 😉

 

[Buddha]

I'll watch your avatar instead.

 

[dee]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41174.msg1144536#msg1144536 date=1280403998]
65k a week eh? Hardly megabucks.
[/quote]

That's nearly £3.5M/year!

 

[Buddha]

Manchester City remain "a substantial distance" from agreeing either a fee or terms for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. (Independent)

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41174.msg1145350#msg1145350 date=1280472343]
Manchester City remain "a substantial distance" from agreeing either a fee or terms for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. (Independent)
[/quote]

I am with you on this Buddha, and have been for a while.

This kid could very well be one of the best in the world. We missed out on Ronaldo - this guy has as much natural talent, he's just a fucking child.

 

[doctor_mac]

Unfortunately, if the attitude is terrible he'll likely end up wasting his talent and being a distraction in the squad. Ronaldo, cunt that he is, has always had the drive to be the best player in the world and works hard to get as close to that as he can. This boy needs a serious change of temperament, and I don't think that's going to happen very soon.

 

[willby]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=41174.msg1144449#msg1144449 date=1280396944]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41174.msg1144439#msg1144439 date=1280396129]

His immense talent outweighs his (current) immaturity for me. Where else are we going to sign a wonderfully gifted striker/wing forward from?

[/quote]

Alpha Centauri?

Of course, it would be dependent on Alpha Centauri having intelligent life, and humanoids who also play football, then obviously we'd have to sell him/her/it/the collective hive mind the benefits of our own solar system, and the wealth of opportunities available to a sentient alien life form on Earth.

That's even before we discuss where he might play (next to Torres? Support striker?) or transfer fee. Once that has been done, we would have to address the issue of developing faster-than-light travel and some exercises for the inevitable cryo-sleep.

All of which is as likely as us signing Balotelli from Inter Milan.
[/quote]

>have to address the issue of developing faster-than-light travel

Spock can get us Warp 9 🙂

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=41174.msg1145362#msg1145362 date=1280474125]
Unfortunately, if the attitude is terrible he'll likely end up wasting his talent and being a distraction in the squad. Ronaldo, cunt that he is, has always had the drive to be the best player in the world and works hard to get as close to that as he can. This boy needs a serious change of temperament, and I don't think that's going to happen very soon.
[/quote]

I don't think the attitude is 'bad' - he's just easy to anger and not yet grown up. Think of it like a 19 year old Cantona. I think with the right manager (i.e. Mancini was far better for him than Mourinho), he'll be fine.

 

[keniget]

He wouldn't be fine at this club.

If we sign a player for 20M in our current state, he'll be under massive pressure to succeed. And at the age of 19 with his issues coupled with the issues the team as a whole is facing, that just seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

[Hansern]

Sadly the best clubs for such a mental but extremely talented player would be Arsenal or Utd.

If he moves to City, I'll reckon he'll be big flop to be honest. It has Robinho written all over it.

We have to get as much money from the Mascher deal as possibel, as it's bleeding obvious that we need that cash for strengthning the team.

Whats happening there anyway? It's been days since Mascher announced his wishes, and Inter have said nothing.

 

[spider-Neil]

is he really 'that' good?

 

[Avmenon]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=41174.msg1145373#msg1145373 date=1280476214]
Sadly the best clubs for such a mental but extremely talented player would be Arsenal or Utd.

If he moves to City, I'll reckon he'll be big flop to be honest. It has Robinho written all over it.

We have to get as much money from the Mascher deal as possibel, as it's bleeding obvious that we need that cash for strengthning the team.

Whats happening there anyway? It's been days since Mascher announced his wishes, and Inter have said nothing.
[/quote]

Why would Inter want to rush?

The longer this takes, the weaker our bargaining position becomes.

 

[Sunny]

[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=41174.msg1145416#msg1145416 date=1280479024]
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=41174.msg1145373#msg1145373 date=1280476214]
Sadly the best clubs for such a mental but extremely talented player would be Arsenal or Utd.

If he moves to City, I'll reckon he'll be big flop to be honest. It has Robinho written all over it.

We have to get as much money from the Mascher deal as possibel, as it's bleeding obvious that we need that cash for strengthning the team.

Whats happening there anyway? It's been days since Mascher announced his wishes, and Inter have said nothing.
[/quote]

Why would Inter want to rush?

The longer this takes, the weaker our bargaining position becomes.
[/quote]

Not really he still has 2 years left on his contract. 12 months from now would be a different story.

 

[Buddha]

The potentials there no doubt. He's got everything Neil; Lightning pace, brute power, sublime natural skill, huge self-confidence etc

As LTW and I have both alluded to, he's Ronaldo-esque in terms of potential and style (with more natural power at this stage).

As DMac has mentioned, he lacks Ronaldo's utter dedication to realise that talent. But that's not to say it won't happen, he is only 19 after all. He needs a wily old manager who can nurture his talent whilst keeping his ego in check. Expectations would be high here given a 20m ish fee, but he'd likely play to the left or right of Torres so wouldn't be relied upon for goals.

People forget, as brilliant as Ronaldo turned out, it took Fergie at least a couple of years to "mature" him.

With regards strikers, I've thought for a while now that Balotelli is the most naturally blessed "potential" superstar out there.

 

[Molbystwin]

Our current financial plight dictates that it wont happen but it would be a pretty great swap if it did IMO, one of the most talked about and coveted young strikers in the world coming to us would be a massive mental boost for everybody if nohing else... Yeh .... Its a genuinely cool pipe dream.

It will not happen in a month of sundays mind you.

Its ridiculous thinking considering but i do applaud the sheer hopeful ignorance of the idea, we should all try and affect the world Karma and gather our minds into a huge collective uni-thought, twisting and shaping reality as we do so.

 

[Buddha]

Super Mario Balotelli can win title for Manchester City, admits Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti
By LEO SPALL

Carlo Ancelotti has predicted Manchester City will challenge for the Premier League title if they add the 'crazy talent' of Mario Balotelli to their bulging squad.
The Chelsea manager is an admirer of the eccentric young forward - nicknamed 'Super Mario' and rated at £25million - and believes he will be a huge hit in England.
City are locked in negotiations with Balotelli's club Inter Milan over the fee. However, the player's agent, Mino Raiola, flew into Manchester to discuss the Italian's personal terms.


Ancelotti said: 'With him, Manchester City will challenge for the title, not just fourth. The Barclays Premier League is ideal place for him. Mario is a crazy talent.'
Balotelli has divided opinion in Italy after producing some skilful performances and clashing with former manager Jose Mourinho and team-mates. The 19-year-old incensed opposition supporters with alleged gamesmanship, but Ancelotti believes fans' prejudices made life tough for him.
Ancelotti told La Stampa newspaper: 'There is too much pressure on young players in Italy but there is almost no racism to contend with in England.'
Chelsea were linked to Balotelli but have since targeted Benfica's Brazilians Ramires and David Luiz, who also interests City.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1298803/Carlo-Ancelotti-Mario-Balotelli-win-title-Manchester-City.html#ixzz0v9gjJa31

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Balotelli has been on City's radar all summer, but it looked as though the deal may have stalled earlier this week when they striker said he could yet stay at Inter Milan.

But after talks between the two clubs on Thursday progress has been made in the negotiations and he now looks set to move to the Premier League in a deal worth close to £30 million in total.

Agent Mino Raiola told Sky Italia: "Today, there was a step forwards, I can confirm that. So I am very confident about closing the deal soon but it doesn't just depend on me.

"Will he play on Saturday against Tottenham? Look, at this point I would say no. Even if we close the deal tomorrow he wouldn't be able to do it, because of all the paperwork. Then the English laws impose details that would exclude his presence as early as Saturday.

"I am very optimistic, but today the deal is not already done. We haven't decided yet if Mario will go to England tomorrow, we need to think about that, but we haven't established that.''

Balotelli's debut is more likely to come against Liverpool on August 23.

30 million squid? Oh well, send it right over to us for Masch ...

 

[Mistadobalina]

Is he the 1st black Italian?

 

[LarryHagman]

Good to see Rafa hasn't lost his principles; sell a World class attacking talent, buy a defensive midfielder.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=Mistadobalina link=topic=41174.msg1153281#msg1153281 date=1281674590]
Is he the 1st black Italian?
[/quote]

Nah, they had two or three Italians of Somali/Ethiopian descent (I think Liverani was one) - but he is Italy's first black player at senior level I think.

I think he only got citizenship when he was 18 or so due to issues with his adoption (his parents had to have him adopted due to health issues) ...

 

[SummerOnions]

[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=41174.msg1153282#msg1153282 date=1281675079]

Good to see Rafa hasn't lost his principles; sell a World class attacking talent, buy a defensive midfielder.

[/quote]

haha.

 

[spider-Neil]

inter can't use the excuse of no money anymore.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/05/11/how-much-does-mario-balotelli-hate-bullies-youre-not-going-to-believe-this/

A lot of pro athletes talk a good game when it comes to being opposed to bullying in school. But we must all bow to Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli, who took things to a whole different level recently in England. Among Balotelli’s recent exploits was giving a thousand pounds to a homeless man outside of a casino. But recently he topped that.

As Balotelli was leaving the team’s Carrington practice facility recently, he stopped to sign an autograph for a young fan. While chatting, he asked the boy why he wasn’t in school, being that it was early on a weekday. The boy admitted that he was avoiding school because he had been the victim of bullying.

Known as Super Mario, Balotelli is notorious for a petulant attitude and “inflated ego,†which often shows in his style of play. Born in Italy to immigrants from Ghana, he has had a turbulent relationship with his parents, who gave him up to foster care as a child and now, he says, only want him back in their lives because he is famous.

After the fan revealed that he was being bullied, Mario drove the youngster and his mum over to the school in question and demanded a meeting with the headteacher.

The Blues ace got the youngster to confess what had been happening and made him identify the culprit. The lads eventually shook hands before Mario got into his white Maserati and sped off.

A source said: “Mario feels strongly about bullying and thinks it’s out of order.

“He had no qualms about sorting the mess out as he felt the lad should not be missing out on schol.â€

 

[the count]

[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=41174.msg1331710#msg1331710 date=1305198650]
http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/05/11/how-much-does-mario-balotelli-hate-bullies-youre-not-going-to-believe-this/

A lot of pro athletes talk a good game when it comes to being opposed to bullying in school. But we must all bow to Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli, who took things to a whole different level recently in England. Among Balotelli’s recent exploits was giving a thousand pounds to a homeless man outside of a casino. But recently he topped that.

As Balotelli was leaving the team’s Carrington practice facility recently, he stopped to sign an autograph for a young fan. While chatting, he asked the boy why he wasn’t in school, being that it was early on a weekday. The boy admitted that he was avoiding school because he had been the victim of bullying.

After the fan revealed that he was being bullied, Mario drove the youngster and his mum over to the school in question and demanded a meeting with the headteacher.

The Blues ace got the youngster to confess what had been happening and made him identify the culprit. The lads eventually shook hands before Mario got into his white Maserati and sped off.

A source said: “Mario feels strongly about bullying and thinks it’s out of order.

“He had no qualms about sorting the mess out as he felt the lad should not be missing out on school.”

Known as Super Mario, Balotelli is notorious for a petulant attitude and “inflated ego,” which often shows in his style of play. Born in Italy to immigrants from Ghana, he has had a turbulent relationship with his parents, who gave him up to foster care as a child and now, he says, only want him back in their lives because he is famous.

[/quote]Sorted your ass for you there Stu

 

[Fabio]

Ha! Sorted it slightly after you count

 

[themn]

I love him.

 

[QUADRASPAZ]

It's a retarded PR story. If the lads ma kept the little shit of school cos some bigger boy calls him a fanny then the plod should be knocking on her door.