New AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi
said Tuesday that he will start from a clean slate in his work
with volcanic Italy striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli's career has been disrupted by incidents of poor
discipline and he was many people's scapegoat for the Azzurri's
poor showing at the World Cup in Brazil, where he reportedly
fell out with senior members of the national team.
But Inzaghi said he will not be prejudiced by the bad
reputation of the player, who turns 24 next month.
"Balotelli is an important player for AC Milan," Inzaghi
told a news conference before his team takes off for a summer
tour of the United States.
"I'll wipe the slate clean. I want to get to know him to
make him better. I can't judge a person before I know them.
"For me Balotelli is a talent, as well as an important
player for Milan. I'll have to get the best out of him".
The forward's future is not certain to be with Milan though
and he has been linked to a move to London side Arsenal.
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