Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!

KevinHann · Mar 9, 2014

Sting @OfficialSting what a tool @ Marseilles can you beiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilieve 1m

#nufc call a press conference to unveil mystery World Cup involved striker

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KevinHann · Mar 9, 2014

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Controversial striker promises to bring the title back to Saint James' Park

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Rob Lee
Published at 9:49PM, August 05 2016

Newcastle certainly took their time to wrap up the hunt for a new striker after a protracted saga involving unhappy Neymar. It is the summer of discontent at Tyneside as the new front man Hristov signed is notorious for his on and off the pitch antics and peculiar mood swings, to put it mildly. World class players often come with strings attached and in Mario Balotelli's case it is more like ropes. The 25-year old Italy international provoked controversy during his short spell with Tottenham and ultimately forced their hand to sell him for a measly 29.5 million pounds fee after falling out with the manager, demanding new signings, publicly stating his unhappiness with the club's league position and poking three coaches and a physio in the eye.

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Super Mario promises interesting times

For all the trouble Mario brings something that makes manager after manager to give him a chance - goals. He scored 21 in 26 starts for Spurs during his only season with them and currently boasts an impressive record with Italy - 34 in 58 caps. Mario promised to bring the title back in Tyneside and Hristov was confident of handling his personality:

Reporter: After your move for Neymar got so public and ended up in disappointing failure, you finally have your man. Do you think Mario Balotelli will be comfortable with the label of being second in your shortlist though?
Dimiter Hristov: At the point we were discussing a potential move with Chelsea we simply had no idea Mario would be available. He knows that and the media also know that but it doesn't make a good story. Honestly, it's the hunger for bad-boy stories out there that gets all this bad publicity for Balotelli, he's constantly being stalked and everything he does is dragged completely out of proportion. You'd think with everything that's been written about him he'd have spent the past ten years in jail rather than the football pitches scoring goals.
Reporter: You are aware we've heard these words in one shape or another a number of times already from nearly every coach he has had? What makes you think you will be the one to eradicate the controversial behaviour?
Dimiter Hristov: I have no such intentions. Mario is a grown-up man and I trust him to make his own decisions. What I expect him to do is play football - that's the one thing I'll hold him accountable for.

I wonder if Hristov will be so confident in this position 12 months from now.

Mario Balotelli transfer verdict: 9.5/10 - as controversial as he is, Mario is filling a long-standing void for a natural striker at Saint James' Park - Suarez, Donovan, Remy and Depay have all played on the wing and it makes a nice change to have someone solely focused on scoring goals.

KevinHann · Mar 9, 2014

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BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders