Rossoneri coach looking for more from his Italian ace.
AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf has insisted that although star striker Mario Balotelli has great talent, he ‘isn’t a champion yet’.
The 23-year-old has failed to consistently deliver this season, after a successful first six months at the club following his move from Manchester City last January.
Balotelli made the headlines last weekend as he was seen in tears on the bench after an indifferent display against Napoli, and Seedorf believes his talismanic striker has some way to go until he fulfils his potential.
“Mario is a great talent and we hope he can explode and become the champion that he still isn’t yet,” Seedorf said in a press conference ahead of Friday’s game against Bologna, as reported by Football Italia.
“I am convinced that sooner or later he will do it because he has great desire.”
Seedorf also revealed that Balotelli’s tears were “a release of emotion, as he is a human being”, and remains in constant contact as the duo look to spearhead the club’s journey towards a new cycle of success.
The Dutchman has come in for criticism following the 3-1 defeat in Naples on Saturday, with questions being asked of his tactics and the 4-2-3-1 system.
He revealed that he had had dinner with Adriano Galliani and club owner Silvio Berlusconi recently, with the trio all discussing on how to improve the club’s prospects moving forward.
Nevertheless, the inexperienced 37-year-old coach insists that he is optimistic about Milan’s future, but concedes that it will take time for them to return to the top as he has yet to fully instil both the physical and mental aspects of the game that he feels are required in modern day football.
Following a week of headlines and questioning, Seedorf will be hoping for a positive reaction from his main attacking threat as Balotelli looks to get back on track against Bologna at San Siro on Friday night.
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