What’s more important talent or temperament?

The last few games in the Champions League we have seen some very temperamental behaviour.

In the Inter-Barcelona game Inter striker Mario Balotelli threw his shirt to the ground after receiving jeers from his own fans.

Then in the Bayern vs Lyon game Dutchman Arjen Robben threw a tantrum when he was substituted towards the end of the game.

He then refused to talk to coach Louis Van Gaal who was trying to explain his decision.

Debate

It seems there must be a debate about whether some player’s talents outweigh their poor temperaments. Footballers are only human and some have horrible personalities but have superb talent.

Even the greatest coach in the world would have trouble changing a player’s personality. At the end of the day a manager must take a risk in signing a difficult player and then hope he behaves himself.

Childish

Inter striker Mario Balotelli has undoubted talent and potential but at times his attitude has been awful. He seems to have a permanent chip on his shoulder. This has lead to arguments with everybody at the club, including his own manager and fans.

He is a young boy and Inter teammate Dejan Stankovic has accused the 19 year-old of acting like a child. He has made some very poor choices. Like the choice to go on Italian television and wear an AC Milan shirt.

Inter boss Jose Mourinho and Balotelli have fell out on numerous occasions but they have made up for now. The Portuguese coach has made numerous excuses for the youngster’s behaviour and is set to give him yet another chance after Tuesday’s incident.

It seems Balotelli is now heading for the Inter exit door, despite claims from Inter president Massimo Moratti that he could still be at the club next season. A summer transfer is likely but will a move away from Inter and Italy change the talented youngster’s attitude?

Robben

Bayern’s flying Dutchman Arjen Robben has been in fantastic form in recent months and is a highly-talented star. His petulance against Lyon was silly but you can understand his frustration, as he was the best player on the pitch.

He should have understood that coach Louis Van Gaal was trying to keep him fresh by replacing him but it was strange considering it was so near to the end of the game. Robben has struggled with his temperament at Chelsea and Real Madrid but before this incident has shown a good attitude at Bayern.

Matured

Mario Balotelli still has time to mature and maybe his temperament will change. However the problems he’s had maybe be part of his overall personality. A star whose temperament has improved as he’s matured is Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Like Balotelli, Rooney came to prominence as a 16 year-old. It was soon apparent that the youngster could be provoked. Opponents used it against Rooney but as the past few years have passed he has learnt to control himself and is now a better player for it.

Balotelli has courted controversy since his arrival on the footballing scene and has caused himself so many problems. Hopefully with experience comes knowledge and he will let his football do the talking.

Experienced

There is one man in the Premier League that world temperamental was invented for and that’s Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy. The lad could start an argument in an empty room. He has been described as horrible, irritating and outspoken. I personally believe he’s all three.

Yet the little Welshman is a constant threat to opposition defence. He has an attribute that defenders hate and that’s pace. He also works tirelessly for his teams cause. He has had more clubs than Tiger Woods because he is his own worst enemy when it comes to voicing his opinions.

Every manager he has played under has had problems dealing with him and eventually came to the conclusion that it was best for him to leave their clubs. He has now got a very uncomfortable relationship with current boss Roberto Mancini, despite the Italian’s claims to the contrary.

Bellamy is now 30 and is too stubborn to change now. His previous managers seem to believe that his temperament wasn’t more important than his talent. They seem to believe that his talent wasn’t worth the hassle.

Compromise

Sometimes managers compromise to get the best out of their temperamental stars and give them some room for manoeuvre. Although lots of the more disciplinarian coaches decide against include these sorts of players in their squads.

The big question is which is more important temperament or talent?