We find the current scrutiny of Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli not only harsh but destructive.
Sure, Mario has had some moments of impetuosity in his earlier career. But it’s not like he’s ever refused to play (a la Tevez), nutted the referee (Di Canio), Kung fu kicked a member of the crowd (Msr. Eric) or punched one of his own team mates on the field of play (Lee Bowyer).
He’s had the odd scuffle in training and, rather comically half-burned his house down. But his crimes could never be described as even close in severity to the aforementioned. Yet he’s treated like the ultimate loose cannon. IT MUST STOP.
Balotelli had a really tough start to his life and has made a fantastic career for himself. This is a kid who was separated from his Ghanaian parents and placed in foster care in 1993 after the Italian authorities recommended he be moved out of his home.
Do you know anyone personally who has made so much of their life from such adversity? Furthermore, the Italian really looks after himself. He’s strong as an ox and hasn’t an ounce of fat on him. Physically, he’s a model pro. That requires serious the sort of discipline which few of us can muster.
Yet, the latest derisory utterances from the football world have surfaced today with ex-manager Roberto Mancini suggesting that, at 24, Balotelli is in the last chance saloon. The Daily Mail quotes him as saying:
‘Mario is a good guy, but he is aware that Liverpool is probably his final opportunity to prove what he can do on the pitch. It’s his last chance.
‘I often talk to him via text message, but only he can help himself now.
‘He told me that he wants to and must score more goals for Liverpool.’
Balotelli may not be the most amenable person in the world. He may be hard to decipher and lack consistently great communication skills.
But it’s not his job to be good at any of those things. His forte is football. In fact he’s a natural born footballer and the onus should be on the manager to bring the best out of him on the pitch. That’s the specific job of a manager. It’s no good Brendan Rodgers moaning about how Balotelli was all that was available at the time – it’s up to him to prove he’s a top coach.
Alex Ferguson could have done it. Dalglish, at his best, could have done it. Rodgers must earn his stripes by protecting and optimising the talents of a very skillful lad.
And the Liverpool faithful need to continue to show him the love – to give him a chance, which has always been the Liverpool way. If they do so, we believe there will be rich rewards.
Liverpool fans: do you thing Mario is being treated a little harshly after just a handful of games on Merseyside?
Jas
Oct 11, 2014 at 2:19 am
Excellent article. I couldn’t agree more. He is being targeted unfairly. You’d think he’d shot a referee or something.
Just leave ghd lad alone and let him PLAY. After all, it’s a game!