Mario Balotelli: 'I am not a risk'

Mario Balotelli of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 13, 2015
© Getty Images
Mario Balotelli insists that Nice have not taken a risk in signing him from Liverpool, despite having scored just two league goals in his last two seasons.

New Nice striker Mario Balotelli has insisted that the club have not taken a risk in signing him.

The 26-year-old brought an end to an unsuccessful two-year spell with Liverpool on deadline day, joining Nice on a free transfer having been told by Jurgen Klopp that there was no place for him at Anfield.

Balotelli has failed to fulfil his potential in recent seasons, scoring just two league goals in two years, but he claimed that his form has been down to "physical problems".

"The decision was only a sporting one. It was best for me. Other teams wanted me but Nice is a good project. The coach believes in me and that's why I'm here," he told reporters.

"My career is different from what has been written. I have had physical problems, but I'm not a risk.

"Everyone knows I care a lot about the national team but lately I did not deserve to be selected. Now I will focus on Nice. It has been two years since I was selected. During the Euros that hurt a lot, I do not know what would have happened had I been there but [Antonio] Conte made his choice."

Balotelli could make his debut for Nice against Marseille on September 11.

Will Mario Balotelli be a success in France?

Yes
No
Yes
62.2%
No
37.8%
Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli gives a thumbs up after scoring Liverpool's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England, on February
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2Chelsea431094510
3Everton431072510
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd43017349
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs42207258
6Liverpool42119727
7Arsenal42118627
8Hull City42115327
9Middlesbrough41214405
10Watford411278-14
11Crystal Palace411234-14
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom411223-14
13Swansea CitySwansea411246-24
14Bournemouth411235-24
15Burnley411235-24
16Leicester CityLeicester411247-34
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham410359-43
18Southampton402236-32
19Sunderland401338-51
20Stoke CityStoke4013210-81