9 Oct 2016

Agent raves: 'Incredible' €20m Liverpool flop can be one of the world's 'best' players. Agree?

With 6 goals in 5 games so far, Mario Balotelli has hit the ground running at Nice, and his agent now claims that the Italian can achieve a lofty goal by the end of the season.

In an interview this week with Corriere Dello Sport, Balo's agent, Mino Raiola insisted:

“Mario Balotelli must continue like this. He’s found a familiar environment in the French Riviera and the 2017 can be his year. If he’s fit he can be among the four best strikers in the world.”

I'm a fan of Balotelli, but even on top four, he's unlikely to classed as one of the 'four best strikers in the world'.

The world's top strikers right now are (arguably) Suarez, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Aguero, Aubemeyang, Higuain, Neymar, and Messi, and when it comes to consistency and prolificity, Balotelli simply isn't in their class.

To be comparable to that group, he'd have to contribute 40-50 goals/assists in a single season for Nice, and I can't see that happening.

Additionally, all the aforementioned strikers play in more competitive leagues, so to mentioned in the same breath, Balotelli will have to perform in a better league.

Balotelli can be one of the top four strikers in Ligue One, but the world? Forget it.

* Jul 2016: Described as an 'incredible talent' by Crotone president Raffaele Vrenna. Cost Liverpool €20m


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