Rodgers 'Pushing' Balotelli
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Mario Balotelli's agent claims Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is pushing the striker out of his comfort zone.
The 24-year-old has worked under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini but it appears Rodgers is the one who has pushed the Italy international further than anyone has before in his career.
"Right now, I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career," Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola told RMC Sport.
"He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including the discipline of running without the ball.
"This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He'll come out even stronger.
"He is proud of his team (Liverpool) and that is the most important."
Balotelli, who has managed just one Premier League goal, has had a less-than-impressive start to his Anfield career after a £16million move from AC Milan in the summer and has come in for criticism during his time.
He has started only once since November 8 - in the Europa League exit to Besiktas last week - and has scored only four goals, all in different competitions for the Merseysiders.
Having been an unused substitute for the second successive match Balotelli, after the 2-0 midweek win over Burnley, posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
The Italian wrote: "Someone doesn't like me but differently (sic) of what they say about me I'm a team player and I'm so proud of my team, of this win and of these fans! Let's keep going. Bravi Ragazzi!!! YNWA !!!"
The 24-year-old has worked under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini but it appears Rodgers is the one who has pushed the Italy international further than anyone has before in his career.
"Right now, I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career," Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola told RMC Sport.
"He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including the discipline of running without the ball.
"This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He'll come out even stronger.
"He is proud of his team (Liverpool) and that is the most important."
Balotelli, who has managed just one Premier League goal, has had a less-than-impressive start to his Anfield career after a £16million move from AC Milan in the summer and has come in for criticism during his time.
He has started only once since November 8 - in the Europa League exit to Besiktas last week - and has scored only four goals, all in different competitions for the Merseysiders.
Having been an unused substitute for the second successive match Balotelli, after the 2-0 midweek win over Burnley, posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
The Italian wrote: "Someone doesn't like me but differently (sic) of what they say about me I'm a team player and I'm so proud of my team, of this win and of these fans! Let's keep going. Bravi Ragazzi!!! YNWA !!!"
Nothing cryptic about that. They're fine sentiments (and I wish my Italian were as good as his English).
Still want him gone though, I'm afraid. The risk of keeping him is too great for any benefit we might get.
Still want him gone though, I'm afraid. The risk of keeping him is too great for any benefit we might get.
Is just as important to improve him as a player or at least the perception of him as a player for his future transfer value. Rodgers is right not to throw in the towel on him.
We have to unload this absolute joker asap.
he has feelings.
People have been saying that for his entire career and it's proven to be a myth. He is an occasionally brilliant but otherwise mediocre striker. Much like dozens of other players of his ilk, who don't receive anything like the same amount of attention because they behave like adults.
I thought it might have been a reference to Gerrard and the fact that he couldnt wait to get a dig in following the penalty against Besiktas, odd behaviour from a club captain to have a go at an under performing player on live TV
It *was* odd behaviour, but that's actually why I don't agree with the stick he's got for it. Stevie would 100% have known how it would come across. The only rational explanation for him going ahead and saying it, and for Rodgers' comments shortly afterwards (for which Rodgers got similar stick on here), is that the pair of them had tried absolutely everything behind the scenes but failed to make any impression on Balotelli. In those circs.they'd have had a choice: either go public as a last resort and hope that gets through to him, or basically let him win and continue the damage to team spirit which was already evident from the Studge's reaction on the pitch over that peno incident. AFAIC both Stevie and Rodgers made absolutely the right choice. Those who disagree might think it's a coincidence that Balotelli has produced one or two better performances since then. I don't.
Arf. The worst of it is that I actually don't dislike the guy. His start in life was horrendous, and what probably made it worse than ever is that he's not an idiot as some have called him (IMO at any rate). If he had been, his early troubles might conceivably have done him less damage. As it is, I suspect that part of his problem nowadays is that he's bright enough to have become bored with a game which he can play very well without making much effort, if the mood takes him.
What I detest is the effect Balotelli's been having on the club I love and have supported for more than twice as long as he's been on this Earth. His terminal immaturity and his behaviour resulting from that have caused rifts within the club which, if they continue, will be at least as threatening to its progress as any loss on the pitch. I'm not interested in seeing my club suffer any longer while the latest in a very long line of attempts are made (and probably fail) to drag Balotelli kicking and screaming into adulthood.
Hard to disagree with any of this.
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