"?Marco Verratti is full of optimism that his Italian compatriot Mario Balotelli can return to his best form after signing for Ligue 1 side Nice, bringing an end to a difficult spell with Liverpool.
"?Speaking to FourFourTwo ahead of his country's World Cup qualifier against Israel, the Italian midfielder expressed his delight as Balotelli looks to rectify a career that promised so much during the forward's early years.
To date, the 26-year-old has endured a career plagued by off-field drama that has led to a dramatic fall from grace after being crowned Premier League champion during his time with Manchester City.
Joining Liverpool in 2014, the Italian was widely accepted to be an £18m gamble and one that appears to have monumentally backfired having appeared just 16 times for the Merseyside club, and scoring a solitary goal during his two years at Anfield.
Balotelli faced heavy criticism from the English media throughout his time in England after making headlines for all the wrong reasons as opposed to his capability on the field, which he failed to show as a Red.
Verratti has seen Balotelli at his best with Italy during the World Cup in the summer before he arrived on Merseyside, when the forward scored the winner to down England in the Group D opener in Brazil.
"I've heard, but I am happy that he has come to France. Nice is definitely the right place to re-launch."?
With a new challenge on the south coast of France, Balotelli will be hoping to rediscover the form that saw him recognised as one of the most potent strikers during his time at Inter Milan.
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