If Balotelli can match Ben Arfa’s form at Nice last season, we could see the enigmatic forward lining up for one of Europe’s elite once again.
New Nice signing Mario Balotelli should take inspiration from Hatem Ben Arfa as he aims to kick-start his career in France after a torrid tenure with Liverpool.
Liverpool signed Balotelli on transfer deadline-day in 2014 in an £18 million move from AC Milan. But in his first season at Anfield he scored just one league goal, resulting in a loan move back to San Siro.
After Jurgen Klopp had made it clear that the Italian was not wanted on Merseyside by forcing him to train with the reserves, his search for a new club came to a conclusion when Nice handed him a two-year deal last week.
The free-transfer has gained criticism, with Reds hero Jamie Carragher tweeting: “Balotelli on a free is still paying over the odds.” Balotelli responded in typical fashion branding Carragher a “wonderful hater” and asking “who cares”.
However the best response would be a return to form and Balotelli should take inspiration from Hatem Ben Arfa, after the French attacking midfielder restored his own tarnished reputation in one stellar campaign on the French coast.
Nice offered Ben Arfa a similar lifeline in January 2015, when they signed him immediately after his release from Newcastle United amid reports he had gone AWOL during a loan spell with Hull City.
He was forced to wait over six months for his debut due to a FIFA ruling preventing players from representing more than two clubs in a season. However, the French Riviera club stuck by their player and Ben Arfa would repay that faith with an astounding season last year.
Under the guidance of new Southampton manager Claude Puel, the 29-year-old scored 17 goals in 34 appearances as Nice qualified for the Europa League after finishing fourth in Ligue One.
Many had questioned Ben Arfa’s commitment during his final season in England, but after being voted in the UNFP Team of the Year for his performances at Nice, an abundance of clubs were interested in signing him in the summer.
French champions PSG won the battle for his signature and on his debut for the club he scored in a 4-1 win over Lyon, as the Parisians won the Trophee des Champions for the fourth year in succession.
Though the pair have been used as the main attacking outlet at certain periods throughout their career, they are contrasting players. Ben Arfa is a tricky winger who uses his agility and dribbling skill to torment his defender, while Balotelli is more of an old school number nine.
Ben Arfa was the top scorer at Allianz Riviera last season, and though Nice have started the new campaign with two wins and a draw, they are missing his presence having scored just twice, and will be hoping Balotelli hits form immediately.
If loved, pampered and well looked after, there is no reason why Balotelli cannot recapture the goal-scoring form that saw Liverpool turn to him as their replacement for Luis Suarez.
While his fall from grace may have dented his reputation, he is a strikingly confident character, and his reprieve from Nice offers him a platform for redemption.
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