The Next Wunderkid

Because all eyes are on La Liga and the EPL, people tend to miss the goings-on of Serie A. That's fine, because those goings-on are usually slow-paced, boring, and over 35 years old. However, it's important not to forget that the Italian National Team is and always has been one of the greatest in the world, and there's a reason for that: the youth. Good young players turn into great old players. The current crop of Italian youngsters, as I've said before, is one of the best, and there's no doubt that they'll take Italy far in the NEXT World Cup (not this one, where they'll suck a big dick).

I'd like to turn your attention to the emergence of the next great Italian striker. Vincenzo Iaquinta, Luca Toni, and soon-to-be-Italian Amauri are all big, strong, clinical, and able to play up front on their own. They're all aging quickly, unfortunately. The young man I'd like to introduce you to is 19 years old. He plays and scores regularly at his club, where his set piece delivery, shooting, finishing, link-up play, flair, technical ability, and one on one skills are already far beyond his years. He's big, he's strong, he's Italian, he's... black? That's right, it can only be MARIO BALOTELLI.

"Super Mario," as he is affectionately known, only has one problem: his petulance. I think he's been watching too much Cristiano Ronaldo and not enough Raul Gonzalez. Here's the deal- Balotelli has the potential to be one of the world's best, if not THE best striker in the world, but only if he gets away from Jose Mourinho. Mourinho, bless his arrogant and tactically brilliant Portuguese heart, is absolutely horrible at developing young players. Look at Lassana Diarra, who couldn't get playing time at Arsenal or Chelsea. He is now one of the best holding midfielders in the world and currently plies his trade at Real Madrid. I would say that Arsene Wenger could easily turn Balotelli into a superstar, but he definitely doesn't have the team mentality required.

Ironically enough, there is a place in England where he should go. A place that badly needs a top quality striker. A team that is absolutely world class, but needs a youth injection as soon as possible. A team that needs cover for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, as well as another striker to fit in up top. A team that is big, strong, and has a fantastic manager who can nurture youth as well as experience, and has coached young Italian players before.

I'm not talking about David Moyes and Everton. I'm talking about those other Blues... Chelsea. Once Drogba and Kalou and Essien and Mikel leave for a month, who the fuck is going to cover/partner Nicolas Anelka? With di Santo out on loan (and not impressing at all), it looks like they're going to need an established starlet to produce up top. Who better than Super Mario? To cap things off, he has fantastic ball skills and loves to express himself on the pitch. Ancelotti can handle him, he'll flourish in a physical league, and he even has the world's best target man, Didier Drogba, to look up to. If he stays at Inter, he'll stagnate. Let the kid show his stuff somewhere he'll be appreciated. Abramovich, open your wallet.