Which players regularly flatter to deceive…
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton launched a scathing attack on Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli this week, describing the Italian as “the biggest myth in world football”.
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The one-time England international is quoted in the Independent, and goes on to confirm his belief that the £16m Italian will not be able to replace Luis Suarez at Anfield.
Barton made the comments while watching Balotelli in Liverpool’s astonishing penalty victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday, when the Italian striker came on as a late substitute and converted two penalties in the English league record-equalling shoot-out.
“Balotelli? He is the biggest myth in world football the fella. Fair play to him he’s had everyone’s trolleys down…” Barton tweeted.
He added: “People now realising just how good Luis Suarez was. I mean how do you replace that quality? Certainly not with MB. He does take a mean peno!”
Despite Barton’s particularly sweeping comments, Balotelli is talented – as proved by his goal record with Manchester City, AC Milan and Italy, which has seen him score 73 goals for club and country over the last four seasons. While he might have endured a slow start to his Liverpool career, to describe him as a ‘myth’ is at least somewhat unfair.
But of course, Balotelli is not the only player to earn the ‘overrated tag’ – check out this XI, and decide which of these international stars deserve their reputation:
GK) Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
A world class goalkeeper who has admittedly struggled over the last two years. Football fans clearly have short memories.
RB) Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
Has attracted plenty of blame for the failing of club and country in recent years, but still a more than capable attacking full-back.
LB) Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Enjoyed a fantastic start to his career with Southampton, but is yet to impress Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who has left him on the bench.
CB) Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Had a successful period alongside Carles Puyol, but has struggled to maintain those standards since his former centre-back partner retired.
CB) David Luiz (Paris Saint Germain)
A frustrating player who is more than capable of being one of the world’s best defenders, but makes too many mistakes to justify his £50m price tag.
CM) Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
A classy midfielder who has been held back to a rotten run of injuries. Has failed to live up to expectations in recent years, and needs to progress quickly if he is to live up to his potential.
CM) Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain)
A marquee signing at PSG when he arrived in 2011, but has never quite lived up to his big time billing.
RM) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
There is always a player who has a good World Cup and then gets a big-money transfer. Rodriguez is a quality star, but surely not a £60m player in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale.
LM) Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg)
Consistently goes missing in the big games. Looks useful playing in Portugal or Russia, but not a world beater by any means.
ST) Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
What needs to be remembered is that he is a very different type of player to Luis Suarez, he was never going to come in and do the same job. Liverpool need to adapt to him, and he needs to adapt to Liverpool if the partnership is to be a success.
ST) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
The Manchester United and England captain has an exceptional goal record for club and country, and yet has never shaken the doubters who claim he is overrated. The fact remains that he will likely end his career as the Three Lions all time leading scorer.
SEE ALSO: The Best Manchester United players of all time