Man City have increased their summer spending spree by splashing out on Italy international Mario Balotelli. The 20 year old is known to have a bad boy attitude and he had a number of run-ins with team-mates, fans and his manager while at Inter Milan. With striker Craig Bellamy leaving City on loan yesterday, Balotelli will be seen as a player who can make an immediate impact on the team. Last season, Balotelli grabbed 10 goals and 7 assists in 37 games on all competitions.
Strengths: Agile, quick and powerful, he has all the attributes that a top-class striker should have.
Weaknesses: Temperamental and hot-headed, his off-field issues overshadow his talent. His work-rate and attitude have also been criticised.
Career High: Making his debut for Italy in an international friendly against Ivory Coast in August 2010, days before signing for Man City.
Career Low: In March 2010, he came under heavy criticism from fans after he publicly sported an AC Milan shirt, leading to an apology on the club’s website.
Style: Languid, confident, composed, a stylish attacker.
Quotes: ”I had a love-hate relationship with Mourinho. So much was said about this and when you get two people with a similarly strong personality, they tend to clash. There were some arguments, but nothing so serious, these are things that happen. When I watch myself on television sometimes I don’t even recognise it as me. I’m a good person with healthy principles, but I am also young and like to have fun.” Mario Balotelli on former manager Jose Mourinho.
Trivia: He was born to Ghanaian immigrants Thomas and Rose Barwuah in the Italian city of Palermo, and adopted by the Balotelli family at the age of three.
(find more info on Balotelli at ESPN. Image via AP Photo/Tim Hales)
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