---
title: "Mancini has word on Balotelli"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/mancini-has-word-on-balotelli/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Fred Haas"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2015-01-14T19:03:48Z"
modified: "2015-01-14T19:09:56Z"
---

# Mancini has word on Balotelli

Recent rumors of struggling Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli possibly making a return to Serie A frontrunners Juventus may have been scuppered earlier this week, but that has not stopped fellow countryman Roberto Mancini from chiming in on one of his former proteges in Milan’s daily “Corriere della Sera.“

Only recently returning to Italy himself to take the reigns at floundering Inter, Mancini was asked about Italy’s most talented striker failing to find form. Mancini and Balotelli worked together at Manchester City and in a previous Mancini stint with Inter.

Mancini commented, “*At Inter with me, he was a kid. He would do anything, even clean the locker rooms. At City for 2 1/2 years, he was well behaved.*”

While the relationship between manager and player has been well documented Mancini added, player “*Mario went out with my children. They were more or less peers and that helped me relate to him.*“

Admitting that he has not spoken with Balotelli since their infamous falling out in Manchester 2 years ago this month, Mancini remarked, “*Since leaving City, he has declined in every aspect of his game. I thought he would do well at Milan, but it didn’t happen…But with Mario it is not easy.*“

Generating headlines by stating “*Mario is at risk of following the same path as Adriano. I hope that he wakes up and realises that he is wasting everything,*” Mancini delivered a common refrain.

Since joining Liverpool this summer for £16 million, the marquee frontman has failed to impress, tallying just 2 goals in 18 appearances. Despite transfer window speculation, the Mancini has not given up hope on the player, something in which should Reds supporters can take some solace.

“*I think he is doing his best at Liverpool. It just depends on him. He is still young. He has the strength to develop…He must sort his head out*.”

Additional common refrains for Balotelli’s stay in red have included his not being best suited for the Liverpool’s style of play or that he needs a strike partner to help realise his potential despite being deployed as a lone striker.

Balotelli’s sorting may yet prove itself out with Daniel Sturridge’s return to Melwood and his imminent place starting on the pitch. Arguably, the strongest performance of both Balotelli and club was when the Italian was teamed with Sturridge upfront for Liverpool’s masterclass defeat of Spurs at White Hart Lane.