Mario Balotelli has completed his season-long loan move to the Rossoneri from Liverpool. The 25-year old former Manchester City striker rejoins the San Siro outfit in hopes of repaying the club for granting him the opportunity to succeed. What can we expect from the number 45 this time around?
“Super Mario,” as many like to call him, has returned to Italy as Adriano Galliani, Siniša Mihajlović and the club agreed to take in the Italian international, but on their terms. Milan have agreed to a deal despite the medical examination and first day of training, we await an official confirmation from both clubs, that will bring struggling striker Mario Balotelli back to the rossoneri. The deal will have the San Siro club paying around 2 million euros of his 2015-16 salary while the English club incurs the rest.
Medical examinations completed and the second “first day of training” in the books, Balotelli will play for the newly appointed manager Siniša Mihajlović with the now former Sampdoria boss facing a true test: the challenge of taming the striker. A man prided on his disciplinary approach, the former Serbia coach reunites with a player he spent some time with while serving as an assistant to Roberto Mancini during Balotelli’s tenure with city-rival Internazionale. But what kind of impact does this have on the club?
There are many concerns with this move. First, the club is in dire need of a perennial star in the midfield, a player who can inject creativity into the squad. As the final day of the Italian mercato approaches, the 7-time Champions League winners remain without an impact player in this area, a major concern going into the season. Most would agree that the attack could avoid being bolstered while other issues surround the makeup of the team. Galliani and company should be focusing their attention on filling out and completing their summer checklist instead of adding more to an area in which they have already invest nearly €40m into with the acquisitions of Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano.
Second, the club has worked hard this summer to bring in strong, motivated and driven individuals who have nothing but success in their sights. Mihajlović was picked and brought in to provide discpline, energy and a sense of a passion and by bringing in Balotelli, it could prove hazardous to the club’s mentality and locker room attitude. This club has struggled to maintain togetherness over the past few seasons under Allegri, Seedorf and Inzaghi so it leaves you asking: is Mario Balotelli worth the baggage that may follow?
However, there are also the positive consequences which could sway you in favor of this deal. Milan will incur minimal risk with this move as they acquire Balotelli on a season loan with no obligation to buy should he fall face down. The loan itself will cost the club nothing except for the wages (and perhaps some aggravation), making it a low-risk move.
In addition, Balotelli has proven that while he may attract negative media attention and stir up controversy, he can perform in Italy. With Milan from January 2013 to August 2014, the former Azzurri striker was involved in 32 Serie A goals (26 goals, 6 assists, via OptaPaolo), totals that are very impressive when you consider the supporting cast around him during his first stint with the club.
This time around, Balotelli is no longer the first (or second) option at striker for Milan which could be a good thing as he will have to train his hardest and out-perform his peers when given the chance in order to regain his position as a primary attacking option. He won’t be seeded starting minutes, but will have to prove he is worthy of them by showing that his heart and mind are 100% committed to what Mihajlović has planned for his side.
You can break down this deal in many different ways. Whether you like, love or hate the move, it’s fair to say that its a low-risk, high-reward loan as Milan have very little invested here. Should Mario thrive and repay the club for giving him yet another chance, it’s a bargain given the financial side of the transaction. However, put your biased and unbiased opinions aside, step back from the deal and reflect. The impact Mario Balotelli’s return can have on the club for 2015-16 could provide more positive than negative but that remains to be seen.
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