MARIO BALOTELLI IS likely to be on the move in 2018, with Nice admitting they cannot afford him without European football.
The Ligue 1 outfit proved to be the surprise package in the French top-flight last season as they mounted a shock title challenge.
They ultimately ended the campaign in third place, securing them a spot in the Champions League qualifiers.
Their success, and that of Balotelli, also allowed them to tie their enigmatic 27-year-old striker to a new one-year contract – with the Italian happy to commit after enjoying something of a renaissance in France.
Nice have, however, slipped into mid-table this term and fear failure to reach the top six could cost them the services of a top talent, with club president Jean-Pierre Rivere telling RMC Sport: “Without Europe, it’ll be difficult to keep hold of Balotelli.
“He is exceptional on the field, he is changing his style of football and improving. I don’t know if he’ll remain with us next season, as it depends on results.
Balotelli commands a salary of a certain level and we cannot afford that without European competition, even if we’ll do everything we can to keep him.”
Balotelli netted 17 times for Nice in all competitions last season, having been offered an opportunity to rebuild his reputation following a forgettable stint at Liverpool.
He has already added another 15 efforts to that tally this term, in just 20 appearances.
The former Manchester City and Inter forward is starting to look more like a man who has won league titles in England and Italy, but it remains to be seen where he will be turning out in 2018-19.
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Be surprised if the line up like that. More likely cooper in full back line, O’Sullivan at half back line. Also be surprised if mccaffrey is not in half back line.
@Augustus hoop:
As usual,the “real” team will not line out as selected.I dont know why Jim Gavin does thos all the time.Are we getting any advantage by naming these dummy teams?Obviously Jim thinks we are.Doubt McCaffrey is playing up front and if he starts it will be in the backs with one of the selected back six dropping to the bench.Suppose it’s a bit of a talking point for us fans but we’ll have to wait until just before throw-in to find out.
@mark kenny: true cant see the value in this dummy team … can see mick fitz drop out lowndes cooper go to full back line and small mccaffery and cian o sullivan in h/ back line a half forward come in for fitz could be flynn/or kev mac
@Liam Murphy:
Yea it’s hard to second guess Jim but i’ll have a guess at the back seven
1 Cluxton
2 McMahon
3 Fitzimmons
4 Lowndes
5 McCaffrey
6 O Sullivan
7 Small
@mark kenny: no cooper so who plays in the forward line when jack mac comes back
@Liam Murphy:
Maybe Scully.It’s only a guess,though.Who knows what Jim will do?Bernard probably did enough the last day to start but maybe he’s better coming off the bench.
What a joke
Dublin could play their U21 squad up until at least the semifinals giving the poor standard of this competition.these backdoor mickey Mouse games with teams that have no hope of making it to the final
@Jamie: their u21s would not win today’s game. Would their u21s beat Kildare?
@Patrick O’Sullivan: yes they would on both questions
@Jamie: Yea why don’t they just put Dublin straight into the final every year
@Jamie: i think you are wrong lad. There 21s would definitely not beat monaghan.
McCafferry will go back and mark O’Sullivan man and he will be sweeper then