couldn't be more excited going into today. loads of stuff in the italian press.
tuttomercatoweb is reporting;
Balotelli is 20 years old. At present the jersey of City? The British arrived in Milan and....
Mario Balotelli could get as a birthday present the coveted transfer to Manchester City of the Mancini mentor. The number 45 Inter, who turns 20 today, could then move to England in time for the onset of Citizens, Saturday against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Today on fcinter1908.it, we informed you of how the British want to improve the deal before Saturday, and for this reason, as reported by Sky, emissaries of the British club will arrive in Milan today to close the deal with Inter .
The offer that Manchester City will put on the table Moratti will be 28 million euros plus bonus, very close to Inter request, which was 30 million, plus 5 bonus.
In a further effort by a team that has almost unlimited resources, however, the deal could end today and Balotelli could officially celebrate its 20 years as a player at Manchester City.
Then Inter plans to address the research Supermario replacement, assuming, however, the port of Giuseppe Sculli to Pinetina.
another article throws a bit of light on what's been going on.
In a different way, in a different circumstance, Raiola has tried to deceive each other with the Inter-City Mario Balotelli: very good at doing his job, he checked the agreement of 3.5 million by the British after a long pull and spring, and this can not be criticized because it is the agent in the ability to do so. The problem then is that the blanket has become too short, so the City has said yes to putting as conditio sine qua non that Inter lowering of the claims already found for 30 to 26 million plus bonuses plus bonus. Here believed to be fox Raiola, 'Do not worry, I'll', will believe that you can take advantage of the Inter hurry to sell a player now already marginalized by the group as departing, and instead, good Mino da Nocera arrived Milan and its bread and just ate the fox has gone through, as happened to Mr Caliendo. Inter do not hawking said that the balances are for stores in Milan and not in the window of jewelry Inter, Balotelli and that if they want to pay as agreed and as required, 30 more bonus to get to 35.
I also spent some time on the Inter forums tonight.
They have a huge thread on him, much bigger than Eto'o or Maicon.
There is a poll, 50% think it's okay to sell him, 50% think it's a big mistake.
Quite a few think he's a complete twat but it's noticeable how often they get their facts wrong, how they get wound up about something he is supposed to have said, only for someone to point out that his comments have been obviously mistranslated or misreported. Some say the racism is exaggerated, then it's pointed out, there really are horrible chants about him from opposing teams, there really is racist graffiti all over milan, aimed at him.
there are loads of quotes in that thread about how talented he is from everyone from Zola to Mourinho.
one from national coach prandelli this week;
“Antonio (Cassano) is calmer after his marriage. Mario is facing a likely transfer to England and who knows, it might also be a way of taking responsibility for his career.
One guy summed all these quotes up by saying something along the lines of, 'they all say the same, he could play on mars, but isn't really trying as hard as he could'
Then there are quotes from the boy himself, after the international match;
remember the quotes from Balo, our press translated them as;
"I know what will happen but i'm not telling you? Maybe I won't leave"
here's the full interview as translated by the press;
Balotelli: 'I know where I'm going'
Wednesday 11 August, 2010
Mario Balotelli gave a cryptic response when asked about his future. “I already know where I’m going and what will happen, but I won’t necessarily leave.”
The Inter striker is in advanced negotiations with Manchester City, but there were reportedly hold-ups in the £30m transfer due to his wage demands.
“I already know where I’m going, but I don’t want to say. I know what will happen, but I won’t necessarily leave,” the 19-year-old told Sky Sport Italia 24 this afternoon.
He was returning from his senior international debut, a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast at Upton Park.
“I was very excited, especially during the anthem. I can’t explain why, but I couldn’t even sing it, which for me is very strange. During the game the nerves passed and once you start playing, it all goes back to normal.
“When you play for your country, it is a joy that cannot be compared to anything else.”
Balotelli was one of several changes to the side under Cesare Prandelli, including Amauri and Antonio Cassano.
“It’s only normal that it takes a while for us to gel, as we only had two training sessions together. Personally I am not satisfied with my performance and give myself 5 out of 10. I know that I can do so much more.
“Over the years I heard from Cassano. He sent me messages after difficult moments, such as the Barcelona incident. Cassano is very likeable, a friend and we get along very well.”
Balotelli was also impressed by the reception he received from Coach Prandelli.
“He asked me to work harder for the team. Maybe with Inter I lose the ball and come to a halt, but with the Nazionale I have to sacrifice myself for my teammates and run after the ball, chasing down the entire flank.”
The media had called for Balotelli to be promoted for the 2010 experience in South Africa, while others didn’t think he could be trusted with the responsibility of the Azzurri.
“Would my talent have been of use at the World Cup? I don’t know. I had a lot to give and was ready, but we should clarify I cannot make a side win the World Cup. Maybe one game, but not enough to resolve all the problems.
“The job of a football player is difficult, as you know that you can become famous. Aged 20 you have fun, do something you enjoy and have lots of money, but if it goes badly then you know the consequences.
“With me often the media looks for the scoop, making a mountain out of a molehill. They want to make it look as if I’m the one who creates problems for the team.”
now, for bonus points, pick out the differences with a straightforward translation of the original italian.
"When you play with your country, is a joy that can not be compared to anything else."
The striker made his debut in the friendly yesterday that Italy lost 1-0 in London against the Ivory Coast. "If you ask me if I am satisfied, I say no. I can do much more, although I have not played this preseason. While I was playing very well in camp, but before the race I was very excited, especially during ' anthem, "says Balotelli Sky Sport24.
Coach Cesare Prandelli has paid particular attention to the baby, which celebrates its 20th birthday tomorrow.
"Prandelli told me that I must learn to sacrifice. He asked me to be generous: when I lose the ball, I have not come across the field. But I have to chase the opponent, I need to see the team that I promise," explains Balotelli.
Retired and in the field, it became obvious the feeling with Antonio Cassano, the other watched. "They're all brothers to me, I hope that at least one is my friend. Cassano is a friend. It 's a good guy, sent me messages frequently, even after Inter Milan and Barcelona," he says thinking back to one of the most complicated in recent days months.
After the semifinal round of the Champions, Balotelli threw down the Nerazzurri shirt complicating the relationship with friends and supporters. "Cassano gave me advice, I'm with him on the field very well. As we are not talking football," he says.
"I was ready to go in South Africa, then I have called. Mario Balotelli but does not win the World Cup alone, though the team has problems Balotelli is not enough," said Young, who more than once has gained attention with behavior 'revised. "It always looks for the scoop. We talk about stupid and try to make them much bigger than it really is. Twenty years begins to mature, it has fully men," he says.
Twenty years is not easy to manage the pressure "When you start playing football, we must be prepared. Otherwise, choose another sport," he says. The pressure, however, is not only linked to the flask. In swimming, for example, all always expect the best from champion blue Federica Pellegrini. " "Federica whom? I do not know ...".
Finally, joke about their future.
"I already know what happens, but I do not speak of this. Manchester City? I did not say that I go there, I said that I already know what happens. Or you send me to hell, or you send us Mino," he said referring to Mino Raiola's agent.
"I can't say I'm leaving because you will rip me to shreds in the papers"?
no mention of wage demands. also check out the bit in the first translation about him only tracking back for the national team. this is the kind of stuff that drives the inter fans nuts. and it's a complete fabrication, he didn't say anything like that.
I think we will get him. If we do, the possibilities are incredible. He's a major talent. He comes across well to me. He has had his problems, but it seems he knows he is at an age where he has to shape up and take responsibility.
Coming here will remove the worse, most unfair stuff that he's had to deal with. Now he can focus on the rest.
Likewise, we have to understand he will be a young man in a new league. I don't expect that much from him this year, but next year... and the year after....
