Simone Zaza believes 'there is room for Mario Balotelli' in the Italy squad, but hopefully not at his own expense.
Balotelli has not been called up by Italy CT Antonio Conte since the former Juventus Coach took charge in August, and has been widely criticised for his Liverpool form.
Simone Zaza believes 'there is room for Mario Balotelli' in the Italy squad, but hopefully not at his own expense.
Balotelli has not been called up by Italy CT Antonio Conte since the former Juventus Coach took charge in August, and has been widely criticised for his Liverpool form.
The former Milan and Inter striker was substituted at half-time during last night’s game with Real Madrid and was highlighted on television as swapping shirts with Pepe at the break.
Balotelli drew criticism from former Liverpool players Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher, with the latter describing the Italian as a ‘panic buy’, and the former declaring his signing nonsensical.
“Why on earth they [Liverpool] went for him I’ll never know,” Redknapp has told Sky Sports.
“They should’ve just left him alone. The fact that they went and got him, it just doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Zaza, however, believes Balotelli has the quality to represent the Azzurri again, but is clear that he wants to retain his own place in the side.
“In the national team there’s always room for strong players,” Zaza has told the Gazzetta di Parma.
“Mario is one of those. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting him, but I hope to bump into him soon.
“My goal is to stay in the national team and continue playing for Italy.”