The agent of out-of-favour Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, Mino Raiola, has revealed his client is happy at Anfield despite being left out of the squad to face Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup at the weekend.
The Italy international, 24, has started just two matches for the Reds since the New Year, and has failed to score in 12 English Premier League appearances in 2014/15.
Nonetheless, Raiola has insisted Balotelli, who joined Liverpool from AC Milan in a deal worth £16 million, is happy on Merseyside.
“Yes, he is happy at Liverpool,” said Raiola.
“Nobody is happy to be left out but he reacted in a professional way.”
Liverpool, winners of two straight in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Chelsea at in an FA Cup replay at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday before hosting West Ham United on Saturday.
Odegaard will be a top star at Madrid, says Balague
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes highly-rated Norway international midfielder Martin Odegaard will be a top star at Real Madrid.
At 16, Odegaard, who was linked with several of Europe’s top football clubs over the past month, has already won three international caps for Norway.
“He was wanted by a lot of people,” Balague said. “Three to four million euros is the cost, and his dream is to make his debut with Real Madrid this season, but he may have to be more realistic.
“He will train with the first team but play in the B division with Zidane. [Real Madrid Castilla coach] Zidane apparently was a key part of convincing him this was the perfect club to come to. He will be a top star.”
Meanwhile, Balague expects Lucas Silva, who joined Madrid from Brazilian champions Cruzeiro for a reported fee of €15 million last week, to go straight into the first-team despite his unfamiliarity with European football.
“He is coming from the Brazilian league, and people around him are saying I hope he is given six months to adapt because it’s a completely different league, different pace,” added Balague.
“But I am not sure he’s going to get that, I think he’s going to play.
“The arrival of Lucas Silva means there’s another potential candidate to come in for [Toni] Kroos.”
Silva, who was named the Brasileirão’s best defensive midfielder last year, won back-to-back league titles with Cruzeiro in 2013 and 2014.
The 21-year-old midfielder put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu last week.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
