Adam Lallana cost more. So did both Dejan Lovren and Lazar Markovic. At £16 million (Dh97.5m), Mario Balotelli will only be Liverpool’s fourth biggest summer signing. It just won’t feel that way.
Balotelli has an almost inimitable ability to fascinate. The cartoonish element to many of his escapades, the extraordinary nature of his talent, the eternal unpredictability that means he is available at such a comparatively slight price: each helps explain Balotelli’s magnetic charm. He is headline maker, charismatic controversialist, the world beater with a self-destructive streak.
And so, inevitably, he will bring comparisons with another: Luis Suarez. Liverpool have signed other strikers, in Rickie Lambert and Divock Origi, and twin flair players, in Lallana and Markovic, already this summer but Balotelli is a second nonconformist, another who can straddle the divide between hero and villain. He will be deemed the Suarez replacement, charged with ensuring the 31-goal Footballer of the Year isn’t missed. He cost a fraction of the £75m fee Barcelona paid for Suarez but his profile and his potential make him the marquee arrival Liverpool have wanted all summer.
They had paid out more than £100m for new signings this summer before even bidding for the Italian, but their spending spree may be judged on the basis of Balotelli. Fail and he will be manager Brendan Rodgers’ folly; succeed and Suarez will not seem such a grievous loss. Certainly, Balotelli shares an ability to do the remarkable that will allow him to excite Anfield. He has the outsized personality that allows supporters to idolise him.
What he does not done is deliver with the regularity that Suarez did last season. Sendings off and strangely anaemic performances have pockmarked his career. So, too, have moments of great virtuosity and matches where he has verged on the unplayable: Manchester City’s 6-1 derby win at Old Trafford in 2011 and Italy’s 2-1 Euro 2012 triumph against Germany, to name but two. Balotelli supplied Sergio Aguero’s injury-time title-winning goal against QPR two years ago. He is often a big-game player, but guarantees of anything other than excellence from the penalty spot are elusive. He has never scored 20 goals in a season, a landmark a forward of his gifts should have reached.
It is why signing him is a risk, even if it is alleviated by the comparatively low price, by Liverpool’s need for another striker and by the requirement to end their long, fruitless search. Daniel Sturridge could be upstaged by his new partner in attack, but he may also be relieved. Balotelli can absorb the attention.
He presents a challenge to Rodgers. His old ally, Jose Mourinho, gave up on Balotelli in his Inter Milan years. Roberto Mancini, long his fellow Italian’s mentor, took him to City but sold him in resigned frustration. Rodgers deserves credit for the fine form Suarez produced during his two years under the Northern Irishman. Getting Balotelli to deliver such a standard would rank as a greater achievement. But if he can, then the price will seem a bargain.
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.