Sampdoria want Balotelli!

[Judge Jules]

Yes but JJ those are two patently unfair accusations because a) even BR said Balo was the designated penalty taker - not his fault Hendo was too thick to realise it and b) he hasn't been at loggerheads with BR, so it's a little unfair, if historically accurate, to judge a young player on if/buts and maybes based on mistakes he made when younger. Balo looks older than he is and the fact he's been around for while make people forget he is still only 24 yrs old.

I've said previously that I don't think Balo is suited to the way we play and that it was a mistake buying him, however if he keeps his nose clean then I have no problem keeping him as one of our backup squad strikers.

Sorry Froggy, they aren't remotely unfair. In the first case I'm not referring to the rights and wrongs of who should have taken the penalty, or even to the way Balotelli behaved in taking the ball off Hendo (tho' I don't agree with you about that either - even if Hendo got it wrong, you do NOT diss your skipper in that way), but to the way Sturridge reacted when Balotelli did what he did. In the second place (a) we don't know he hasn't been at loggerheads with Brendan, some of whose statements suggest otherwise, and (b) in any case I did say "if" he gets to that point - tho' if he stays he's got plenty of time to do so yet, which he *has* managed everywhere else. Nor do I agree with the "only 24" bit - that's well old enough to expect the guy to start behaving like an adult.

If we hold on to him we're holding on to proven trouble with little or no reasonable chance of it paying off. I respect your view to the contrary but it's difficult to find the words to say how strongly I disagree with it.

 

[Judge Jules]

Actually is sixty I believe.

Last November. Free prescriptions from here on in.

 

[hmmmmm1]

We only going to get some "value" if we do a player plus cash swap from a team in Italy.

 

[Mersey86]

Seemed to be going in the right direction in the Tottenham game. Not just the goal, but commitment and work rate. I thought then that he could come good for us. Disappointed how things have gone since.

 

[Roopy]

Sergio Romero plays for Sampdoria - the Argentine goalkeeper we were linked to after the world cup.

Could be part of the deal if it ever happens.

I still think he's off to Turkey or Wolfsburg.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Sergio Romero plays for Sampdoria - the Argentine goalkeeper we were linked to after the world cup.

Could be part of the deal if it ever happens.

I still think he's off to Turkey or Wolfsburg.

I like the Wolfsburg idea, at least we know they can definitely afford him.

 

[jexykrodic]

I'm not sure how anyone can be definitive about his time at LFC so far, the bloke's barely played.

The transfer remains a mystery to me. I can't see a way forward other than a loan elsewhere.

 

[Judge Jules]

He had a solid run in the team at the start of the season. The fact that he's barely played since - at a time when we haven't altogether been swamped with other options - tells its own story.

 

[Squiggles]

I don't expect this to be a popular view, but I'd keep keep him for a second season for several reasons.

I believe his disruptiveness is being over-stated.
I don't want to be paying for someone who isn't here.
I don't trust the Italians one bit with loan deals. If a permanent deal from Turkey came in, I'd give it more thought.

He's been unfortunate during his time here for several reasons:
Rodgers misused him or couldn't / wouldn't design or adapt a system that made (any) use of him.
Injuries have ensured he hasn't had a steady run of games when the side was performing well and making chances.
He hasn't played alongside a decent strike partner or attacking unit for any period of time.

I'm not expecting miracles next season, nor do I think Rodgers has much time for him. But in a year when we need to gut our striking department you have to consider there's only so much you can do in one summer.
1) Borini needs to go - more so than Ballotelli, IMO.
2) Lambert needs to go - more so than Ballotelli, IMO.
3) Sturridge is made of glass and cannot be relied upon.

I'd keep him and use him off the bench where he has proven to be effective. I'd sign two strikers which complimented our system and style of attacking. If there was no progress on the Ballotelli front next season I'd then look to offload him. However, as it stands - and this is horrible to type - I'd look to keep our second most talented striker.

He's a useful option to bring on in games. He's a player who scores in the box, from penalties, and from freekicks. That's all you'll get from him and nothing else. But when we're piling on the pressure late on in games, when plan A hasn't worked, that's exactly what you need.

For now: Keep.