Zola: ‘Balotelli, come to Qatar’

By Football Italia staff

Al-Arabi Coach Gianfranco Zola believes Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli and free agent Antonio Cassano should join him in Qatar.

Having been dismissed by Cagliari during their relegation battle last season, the former striker has moved to the Middle East, and believes the experience could be beneficial for two of calcio’s controversial characters.

“There are extraordinary resources here,” Zola told Sky.

“The federation headquarters are really cutting-edge, but we have to build the right culture of hard work.

“Cassano and Balotelli? They are two top players, and it could be an excellent opportunity for them to play in a League with less scrutiny, recharge their batteries, and return to Europe as protagonists.

“I’d recommend it as an experience. We have a lot of players, but if I had the opportunity [to sign them] I’d so it without a second thought.”

Zola went on to explain his reasons for joining Al-Arabi, and discussed the prospects of returning to Italian football.

“I was coming from an experience with Cagliari which didn’t go well, and I basically had two options.

“I could wait until October or November until a job came up, or take an opportunity like this in a charming country.

“Here, I have to build the club both on the pitch and off it, the organisation and the Sheikh [Hitmi bin Ali Al-Hitmi] convinced me of the project.

“There are quality players here, but they don’t have a defensive mindset and we have to work on that. They don’t have much respect for training and obeying a schedule.

“On the second day of training, four didn’t show up because they didn’t want to work. In terms of mentality, they’re still amateurs.

“I hope to do very well here, and then one day have the opportunity to work in Serie A again.”

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