Five EPL flops who resurrected their career in France

#2 Mario Balotelli

Balotelli has resurrected his career in Nice

Super Mario. The media’s favourite person to pick on during his time at England, Balotelli arrived at Manchester City from Inter Milan full of raw potential but with a shabby attitude. Even during his time under Mourinho at Inter, he had many fallings out but the talent was there for all to see.

His time at Manchester City can be described as checkered at best. He started off well, with 13 goals from 23 games in his second full season with the Citizens. He was constantly in the news, once for setting fireworks off at his home and then revealing a t-shirt that said, “Why Always Me?” the very next day, after scoring a goal in the 6-1 demolition of neighbours Manchester United.

Slowly, his indiscipline reared its head and culminated with him getting into an altercation with manager Roberto Mancini. He left for AC Milan in the January transfer window of the 2013-14 season.

Following another torrid spell at Liverpool under Rodgers, he was sent to France to play with Nice and it seems like he has rediscovered his best form at the age of 26. With 10 goals in 15 games, he seems to have gotten his killer instinct back with the French outfit. Only time will tell us whether this is a renaissance or just another false dawn for the Italian maverick.