15 Oct 2014

Transfer Fail: Agent claims 'extraordinary' €6m striker is 'superior' to Balotelli. Deluded?

It's fair to say that €20m summer signing Mario Balotelli is having a slow-start to his Liverpool career, but fans remain hopeful that the Italian striker will turn out to be a major transfer bargain. FIFA agent Antonio Caliendo is not convinced, though, and he claims that Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar is a much better player.

In an interview this week, Caliendo insisted that the 21-year-old Senegalese forward is destined for great things. He told Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato:

“In terms of quality, he is without doubt superior to Balotelli. He has something extraordinary...with the ball at his feet. The more he goes forward, the more you will see that I am right.”

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella is also excited about Babacar. After the club's 3-0 victory over Inter last week, he hailed the striker's 'pressing' and 'end-product', adding:

"Babacar [is a] young talent who must be managed well in order to get the best out of [him]. He's earned his place in the team. He’ll become a great striker when he’ll score ugly and meaningless goals”

With 2 goals/1 assist in 5 games this season, Babacar is currently outperforming Balotelli, who has contributed only one goal/no assists in 8 games for Liverpool.

Last season, though, Babacar tore it up on-loan at Modena, where he smashed in 29 goals/assists in 39 appearances for the club, which is very impressive.

However, superior to Balotelli? Absolutely no chance. €6m-rated Babacar clearly has talent, but he's largely unproven, and hasn't yet made a single appearance for the Senegal national team.

Maligned as he is, 24-year old Balotelli has proven his quality at various top European clubs, and on the international stage. The tables may turn when Babacar reaches 24, but right now, the Italian is arguably the 'superior' player.

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6 comments:

  1. Who interviews agents? Does this agent represent the player? If he does, there is some bias in his comments.


    Just curious... how do you decide which topics to write about?


    Not meant to sound as a criticism, and I hope you don't take it that way.


    Merely seems very random this week.

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  2. I write about stuff that interests me. There are general underlying themes/personal agendas (for want of a better word) that run through practically everything I post, so I tend to write about stuff that allows me to explore those themes.
    I could just adopt a scattershot approach and write 20 articles a day like some sites, but that doesn't interest me.

    Sent from Samsung Mobile

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  3. This is why we didn't get the 'Let's all slag off Roy Hodgson' article we all so desperately craved.

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  4. Simple enough. Sounds good.

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  5. Long may it continue Jamie!

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  6. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/english/2014/1016/652818-balotelli-desperate-to-succeed-at-anfield/

    Ballotelli has just confirmed he is a number 10 which explains why he doesnt often make runs in behind. WHY are we playing him as a number 9? He admits himself its not his thing. There are many who could pay both roles Sheringham, Collymore, Fowler, Suarez, Torres, Messi but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ballotelli will never be a dual operator.

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