Mario Balotelli: 'I am not a risk'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 02 September 2016

Mario Balotelli insists that Nice have not taken a risk in signing him from Liverpool, despite having scored just two league goals in his last two seasons.

New Nice striker Mario Balotelli has insisted that the club have not taken a risk in signing him.

The 26-year-old brought an end to an unsuccessful two-year spell with Liverpool on deadline day, joining Nice on a free transfer having been told by Jurgen Klopp that there was no place for him at Anfield.

Balotelli has failed to fulfil his potential in recent seasons, scoring just two league goals in two years, but he claimed that his form has been down to "physical problems".

"The decision was only a sporting one. It was best for me. Other teams wanted me but Nice is a good project. The coach believes in me and that's why I'm here," he told reporters.

"My career is different from what has been written. I have had physical problems, but I'm not a risk.

"Everyone knows I care a lot about the national team but lately I did not deserve to be selected. Now I will focus on Nice. It has been two years since I was selected. During the Euros that hurt a lot, I do not know what would have happened had I been there but [Antonio] Conte made his choice."

Balotelli could make his debut for Nice against Marseille on September 11.