Mario Balotelli Could Be On His Way Back To Serie A

Mario Balotelli has found peace in Nice. The beautiful Riviera city has kept him entertained and out of the public eye. Due to this, his football has returned to the levels it always promised to be at. Everything comes at a cost however, as his new team are finding out and with his contract due to expire in the summer, it has made him a target for many of Europe’s top teams. The Serie A clubs, in particular, are keen to have the ex-Azzurri international in their ranks, but caveat will be, how important are his surroundings in influencing his performances?

‘Super Mario’ has always been somewhat controversial to say the least. Often accused of being moody, childlike and selfish, this image has often been blown up by the media to suit their own needs, but the truth perhaps lies somewhere in the middle. During his time on the French coast he has developed into a serious talent who seems mature and what is more important, happy. His 14 goals in 19 matches this year present many clubs with a conundrum, could he produce football like this is another environment?

The first question is why would he leave Nice? The city is beautiful, the stadium and training facilities are first class and he is an integral figure who the French media tend to respect more than his native equivalents.  The problem with him signing a new deal was raised by Nice President, Jean-Pierre Rivere, who said that despite the Italian netting a goal every 103 minutes for his current club and his significant growth, they would be unlikely to keep him. He told RMC Sport that without European football it would be unlikely that they could afford him, and this is something that would disappoint both parties.

If Balotelli is to unleash himself on his to his homeland, he will not be without offers. Interest and proposals will not necessarily equal the perfect fit, but all the clubs hold different plus points most notably Napoli. The 27-year-old forward has flirted with the Partenopei for some time and the thought of him playing in the San Paolo admittedly will have the Neapolitans excited. Maurizio Sarri certainly wants the Nice-based striker at the club on numerous occasions has tried to tempt his to play in the shadow of Vesuvius. Before Nice and Napoli faced off in the Champions League qualifiers Sarri lavished ‘Balo’ acknowledging the quality of the player as well as a change in attitude, the only issue with a transfer maybe the fractious relationship between Mina Raiola and Napoli that exists.

Whilst swapping one Riviera for another may seem idyllic the pressure that the Neapolitan fans put on all their players is intense and it maybe that a club of smaller proportions may suit the striker. There is certainly interest from Sampdoria where, in the port of Genoa, Mario could become a focal point of what has become a very useful team this season. Extravert chairman, Massimo Ferrero, claimed that he could certainly straighten him out, claiming he is passionate and confused but this could be homed in a club like Samp. With the famous quote by Ferrero that “Balotelli is an enemy of Balotelli as Cassano is and enemy of Cassano” it may be argued that the craziness in Genoa may see him regress rather than progress.

Other more possible options are Torino and Lazio. If Andrea Belotti does leave the Granata then they would be looking for a replacement and the opportunity to become a focal point exists in Turin also. His relationship with Sinisa Mihajlovic would also be a pull as the Toro coach said, “I took Balotelli to Milan – and I would also take him to Turin.” This reconnection with an old coach and the fact that Juventus pull many headlines in the city may attract him to the Granata, although the newspaper Tuttosport would certainly enjoy his arrival.

Finally, Lazio have emerged as a contender as the striker himself admitted that he would like to play under Simone Inzaghi as he thought he was an excellent coach. Speaking in November this year he said that he wouldn’t rule out playing for L’Aquile, even though the hotbed that is Roman football, would be like walking into a pressure cooker in comparison to Nice.

There is no doubt that should Nice fail to secure Balotelli’s signature then he will have plenty of decisions to make should he return to Serie A. With both Milan clubs out of the question (he has done that) he still has options. Napoli perhaps is the dream for both parties but whatever the decision he will have to think not just of money but the surroundings and tranquillity of the situation that will allow him to operate in the same manner that sees him play so well for Nice.