Balotelli rules out Nice risk talks

AFP, NICE (FRANCE): Wayward Italian striker Mario Balotelli has insisted that French club Nice have not taken a risk in signing him from Liverpool.
“The career that I have had, it’s different to what has been written in the press,” Balotelli said at a press conference on Friday as he and fellow new signing Younes Belhanda, the French-born Moroccan international playmaker, were unveiled.
“To me I don’t represent a risk. I have had fitness problems, but a risk? No!”
The 26-year-old signed a one-year deal at the Allianz Riviera after being allowed to leave Anfield on a free transfer, but Nice are reported to be paying their new recruit an annual salary of 4.5 million euros (3.8 million pounds, $5 million).
“We know the risk we are taking, but it’s one I take with pleasure,” said Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere, whose club helped successfully relaunch the career of France forward Hatem Ben Arfa last season.
Ben Arfa returned to his home country after a difficult time in England and ended last season by being nominated for France’s player of the year award.
He was recalled to the national set-up and joined champions Paris Saint-Germain over the summer.
Balotelli struggled on loan at former club AC Milan last season having made little impact at Liverpool in the previous campaign.

 

 

Balotelli rules out Nice risk talks

AFP, NICE (FRANCE): Wayward Italian striker Mario Balotelli has insisted that French club Nice have not taken a risk in signing him from Liverpool. The career that I have had, its different to what has been written in the press, Balotelli said at a press conference on Friday as he and fellow new signing Younes Belhanda, the French-born Moroccan international playmaker, were unveiled. To me I dont represent a risk. I have had fitness problems, but a risk? No! The 26-year-old signed a one-year deal at the Allianz Riviera after being allowed to leave Anfield on a free transfer, but Nice are reported to be paying their new recruit an annual salary of 4.5 million euros (3.8 million pounds, $5 million). We know the risk we are taking, but its one I take with pleasure, said Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere, whose club helped successfully relaunch the career of France forward Hatem Ben Arfa last season. Ben Arfa returned to his home country after a difficult time in England and ended last season by being nominated for Frances player of the year award. He was recalled to the national set-up and joined champions Paris Saint-Germain over the summer. Balotelli struggled on loan at former club AC Milan last season having made little impact at Liverpool in the previous campaign.