Mourinho Slates Balotelli

Yet again my good old friend Mario Balotelli is in my thoughts and once again it's not all good news for the 'Immature Italian', as I like to call him. And it looks as if Jose Mourinho has jumped on my band-wagon.

The former Chelsea manager is a little frustrated with Mario Balotelli. The young striker came on for Patrick Vieira at halftime of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Roma and after the match, Jose wasn’t exactly complimentary about his performance:

“Balotelli was terrible today, close to zero. He didn’t move, didn’t work and did not help the team with [Dejan] Stankovic injured and [Wesley] Sneijder incredibly tired. Mario only played 45 minutes on Wednesday, he’s 19 and could have done a lot more.”

Ok, so, other than that he was pretty good, right?

“I cannot do more with him. I need help. I tried everything with different strategies, to be closer to him and sweeter, more distant and aggressive. Now I must wait for his response.”
Mourinho is starting to sound like the parent of a kid with a drug problem. I think he’s already given you his response, Jose. And it’s something along the lines of “Screw you, old man. I do what I want.”

“This is Mario. He steps on to the field and we never know what he can give to the team – everything or nothing. I urge the media to stay closer to my strategy and so together we can help him.”

Yep, this is starting to sound like an intervention.

“He listens and talks to the Coach, but sometimes I don’t know if he is 100 per cent in agreement with me. He has improved, but with the talent he has he ought to be giving more by now.”

Mourinho’s frustration with Balotelli is understandable, with all the stupid decisions and questionable effort he’s displayed. But remember, the kid is still just 19 years old and playing for one of the biggest and most pressure-packed clubs in the world.

Maybe it’s time to cut him a break, stop being so selfish with his talent and potential and loan him out to a less scrutinized club. If given the room to breathe, who knows — he might actually start to mature. So sort it out Mario!