OPINION
It seems inevitable that sooner or later another Premier League team will offer striker Mario Balotelli a third chance in England, and of all the teams that could do with the enigmatic Italian, Newcastle United perhaps need him the most.
It’s been a long time since the Magpies had a top level frontman and, despite his many flaws, Balotelli has demonstrated in the past that he can be a prolific goal-getter.
The Daily Mirror stated recently that the 28-year-old’s exit from the French side appears inevitable, and Rafael Benitez could do far worse than making a play for the former Manchester City man.
Prior to this campaign, which can effectively be labelled a write-off, Balotelli excelled for Nice, scoring 17 goals in 28 games in 2016/17 and 26 goals in 38 games last time out.
The talent is clearly still there, and what was made evident by Balotelli’s success in South France is that he excels when he’s the big fish in a small pond.
That would certainly be the case for him on Tyneside, where he’d be the hero for a one club city. The Magpies supporters are notoriously loyal and vociferous, and it’s likely that they’d instantly take Balotelli under their wing.
The Italy international brings goals and that’s what Newcastle need. Salomon Rondon is a decent frontman and he certainly fits Benitez’s system, but there’s no doubt that Balotelli has far more natural talent than the Venezuelan.
Benitez has shown over his career that he can bring the best out of players, and he would likely be very good for Balotelli. He would be clear and concise in what he wants the striker to do, but would ultimately let him do his thing if it ultimately benefits the team.
Newcastle have shown this season that they are a functional Premier League side, but that they lack quality. A move for the out-of-favour Balotelli would remedy that and help launch them up the table.
