Courtesy of Flickr user Calcio Streaming
AC Milan’s 23 year old talisman Mario Balotelli has come under fire for his performances this season but Rossoneri legend Paolo Maldini, in an interview with Gazzeta Dello Sport, he kinda sorta defended the young striker. Milan has been in a tailspin this season and currently sit eleventh on the Serie A table, an astounding 40 points behind league leaders Juventus. The blame for the struggles have been placed primarily on the shoulders of Balotelli, whose performances have not been to his usual standard. Maldini believes that it is a lack of clear direction that Balotelli, much like ex-AC Milan striker Pato, can not carry a team on his own because it is too much to ask.
Maldini went on to claim that if Balotelli went to a team with stability, he would do much better:
"“I don’t know for sure, but I have the impression that if Balotelli went to Juve, a team with clear ideas, a great coach and a core group of Italian players his game would go up another level. Because of this I believe it’s wrong to put all the blame on his shoulders. He is not the saviour of the country. The league table reflects how good performances have been. I haven’t spoken to anyone about the current problems and I don’t listen much to rumours but the team is going through a strange situation. The group is clearly not happy and there is an anxiety about them. The performances are then affected by this and there are other players who are less involved in things because maybe they already know they will be leaving.”"
So what team do we know that has a solid infrastructure, financial backing, a great coach, but unfortunately no Italians? The Chelsea Blues of course! Balotelli has shown great maturity this season in dealing with a struggling team. He still gives it his all every match and his tears at the end of a bad performance earlier this season show how much he cares. Milan is struggling financially and without the bonus of European football next year may be in a position to sell their biggest asset. Balotelli would provide Chelsea the powerful and dynamic striker they have been missing and his past relationship with Jose Mourinho makes him a great fit. If Milan are indeed looking to sell in the summer then Chelsea should do all they can to sign up the Italian dynamo.
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