Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli spent the 2015-16 season on loan at AC Milan but did not seal a permanent move and is now being offered to Besiktas
Mario Balotelli used to ask “why always me?” when he scored a goal. The Italian striker was so tired of all the negative attention he was getting as a member of Manchester City FC that he got a shirt printed with the phrase which he revealed in one of the most memorable goal celebrations in Premier League history.
This was of course back when Balotelli was still banging in goals at a regular rate for his club. Now it seems the question he is asking is “why not me?” as he seeks a new club.
The enigmatic forward is still under contract with Liverpool who spent £16 million on him a few summers ago as they looked for someone, anyone, to replace the goals that Luis Suarez took with him to FC Barcelona.
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Safe to say that their gamble did not pay off as the Italian only made 28 total appearances for the Reds and scored only four goals. It took him 13 appearances to score his first Premier League goal for the club and was the source of controversy as usual when he was suspended one match for an inappropriate Instagram post.
Last season Balotelli spent on loan at AC Milan and was equally as ineffective with three goals in 23 appearances. The Rossoneri had the option of purchasing him back from Liverpool at a discounted fee but passed on the opportunity. So now, Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola has begun to shop him around to clubs around Europe, most recently Turkish league champions Besiktas.
Raiola told Turkish news outlet Spox.com: “I offered Mario to Besiktas and I’m waiting for their answer. But I’m quite sure the transfer will happen as the president already assured me in the past that he would do everything he can to sign him.”
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Besiktas already have a prolific goalscorer in Mario Gomez who scored an incredible 28 goals in 41 total appearances, including 26 in 33 league matches. Gomez fired the Black Eagles to a league title and fired himself back in to the national team picture after being exiled since his move away from Bayern Munich in 2012. From being a key player at Euro 2012 to not even being selected to the 2014 World Cup squad, Gomez is back in the German squad for Euro 2016.
So if Mario Gomez is any indication, a move to the Turkish league can revive a player’s career if he goes to the right situation. Didier Drogba earned a move back to Chelsea with Galatasaray and Nani has found a new home and a place in the Portugal squad through his play at Fenerbahce.
Balotelli has found himself on the outs with the Italian team as he was not selected by Antonio Conte for the Euro 2016 Azzuri squad. The move came as no surprise but it is yet another fall from grace for the player that was such a force at Euro 2012 that he was named to the team of the tournament and missed out on the Golden Boot by one assist.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Mario Balotelli situation is how young the striker is. At just 25-years-old the striker has his best years ahead of him and is yet to enter his prime. He has been his own worst enemy throughout his career but his talent is undeniable. He is a physical specimen of a player and has the ability to be world-class but his mentality often holds him back.
At this point in his career, Balotelli needs some form of football rehabilitation while also playing for a club that will back him and support him. AC Milan have turned their backs on him as have Liverpool. The relationship he once had with both clubs has gone sour and it is time for him to find a new club.
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Besiktas may be set at striker with Gomez but with Champions League football on the schedule next season they may take a chance on a potential world-class striker. The club still needs to pull the trigger on the deal but if Mino Raiola has anything to do with it their fingers are already in place to make the move happen.