Ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher joined Antonio Conte in criticising Mario Balotelli for his work ethic.
Ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher joined Antonio Conte in criticising Mario Balotelli for his work ethic.
SuperMario starts today’s big Merseyside derby against Everton in the Premier League, but former Liverpool star Carragher is unimpressed.
“If intensity is the word you associate with Rodgers' Liverpool, you would not use it to describe Mario Balotelli, Suarez's replacement,” said Carragher.
“When he played for Manchester City, I wasn’t a fan and what I’ve seen so far hasn’t persuaded me to change my mind.
“He has a tendency to walk around, which I don’t like to see. He has to bust a gut more often to get in the box.”
This is all familiar territory to Serie A fans and Italy boss Conte, who dropped Balotelli for his first game in charge.
“I do not rule anyone out, but I do demand my players act like professionals. If you are not focused, if you wander about thinking only of yourself and basically graze on the pitch, then that’s not good enough for me,” said Conte.
“My choice not to call Balotelli and Cerci was natural in that sense. From here on we’ll see who will play, how they play and what attitudes are like on and off the field.
“The main problem is that if you have quality and do not run, that’s not enough for me. You must also provide intensity. De Rossi, like others, has a positive rage within him.”