Mario 'Mad As A Box Of Frogs' Balotelli - The Missing Link?

Way back in March of this year we ran an article suggesting West Ham United should consider signing Mario 'mad as a box of frogs' Balotelli as he was in the last part of his contract with Patrick Vieira's side Nice, last season he was outstanding scoring 26 goals in 38 appearances for the French side, he had a superb 2017/18 season showing his pace, skill,and finishing ability repeatedly, he eventually signed a one year contract extension on 25.06.2018. However in a typically 'Balotelli' faustian pact, his future was supposed to be in the form of a move to Olympic Marseille that has not now materialised, Balotelli was so confident that the move would go ahead that he didn't turn up for training with Nice, consequently he is now training on his own and faces further 'talks' with newly arrived manager Patrick Vieira.

Balotelli worked alone during a gym session and cut a lonely figure out on the pitch at the club's training base, a statement on the official Nice website read: 'On Tuesday afternoon, Mario Balotelli made his return to the OGC Nice training centre. 'After meeting the Nice staff, the Italian striker took part in an individual session, in the field and then in the hall.'

For all of the club’s summer spending there is still the need for a striker, and Mario Balotelli would fit the bill, West Ham’s transfer business so far can only be described as sensational with the signings of Issa Diop, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko, Felipe Anderson, Ryan Fredericks, Fabian Balbuena and Lukasz Fabianski for a combined outlay exceeding £85.5million. One more striker could be the missing link, Andy Carroll who is in the final year of his six year contract, has done what Big Andy does best ,and that is to get injured just ahead of the beginning of the season ruling himself out for at least three months. With Carroll perpetually side lined, Chicharito then becomes the only out and out striker available and there are doubts as to whether a new dawn can begin for his stop start Hammer's career. That leaves just Jordan Hugill as the other 'senior' striker, plans are already in place to ship him out to the highest bidder so at least one new recruit is essential, that is why Balotelli could be the answer. The Italian knows the Premier League well and would not be overawed by the speed and physical nature of the game here,

Mario Balotelli is more known for his off the pirch antics rather than his goalscoring in English football, but a lot has happened since he left these shores and although he does still get in trouble here and there, overall he’s a much better player than he was. His time in England probably came too early in his career being too immature, too young and too inexperienced to take advantage of the opportunities available to him. Now could be the perfect time to bring him back to the Premier League under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini who more than most has the presence to 'deal' with certain aspects of the 'Mario Balotelli experience', bringing Balotelli to the club could make the difference between mid table and chasing a top six slot for West Ham next season.

Maverick or Marvel?- Ed