Move to Sampdoria would suit outlandish Liverpool striker
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One in 34. No, that’s not Mario Balotelli’s scoring record at Liverpool, although that’s not too far off, instead it’s his number of starts since the Italian took the field against Chelsea last November.
What has been a travesty of a move for the former Man City striker looks to be ending in swift fashion, as Sampdoria want to offer a way out for the 24-year-old.
After four goals in 25 all-competition appearances for the Reds, the very fact that any club in the world are willing to sign Balotelli should have Brendan Rodgers packing his misfiring striker’s bags, booking his taxi to the airport and chartering his plane.
Seemingly undeterred by the 33-cap international’s bumbling ways in front of goal, Sampdoria president Massimo “Rocher” Ferrero has spoken openly about a desire to land the frontman.
“I would take him, he’d be the real Balotelli again here,” he said. “He wouldn’t have too much pressure here in Genoa.”
“He’s lost his hunger,” the film maker continued. “He’s earning too much. If he was only on bread and water, he’d be a champion again.”
If a striker with a reputation for outlandish behaviour (who is 5/1 to score first in the FA Cup semi with Aston Villa) is to find a fit anywhere then working for Ferrero looks to be the best chance.
Since taking over as Sampdoria president last June, the 64-year-old, has been banned for three months for referring to Inter’s Indonesian owner, Erick Thohir, as “that Filipino”, accused his Palermo counterpart of threatening to kill him and targetted Lionel Messi in the transfer market.
Clearly, the Rome native has come down from cloud cookoo land long enough to think signing Balotelli is a viable option. Liverpool should act before he changes his mind.
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