• International Football

Conte: Door always open for Balotelli

ESPN staff
October 6, 2014
The ESPN FC panel discuss whether or not Liverpool are better off with Mario Balotelli

Antonio Conte has defended his decision to omit Mario Balotelli from his Italy squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.

Balotelli, 24, has failed to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool since signing from AC Milan earlier this summer and was also overlooked in Conte's debut selection last month.

However, the former Juventus coach says that Balotelli has as much a chance as anybody to force his way back into the reckoning, adding that the door to the national team is not closed to the former AC Milan forward.

"He's started down a new path and let's give him time to settle into his new surroundings. It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool," Conte said.

"We're following him, like we're following all of our players abroad. My job is to call people up, not to rule people out."

One Premier League-based Italian who has been called up for the first time is Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, who has proved an instant hit in England since his summer move from Feyenoord.

"Pelle deserved to be called up in all aspects," Conte said. "He's becoming a star in the Premier League and we're curious to see him close up to be able to evaluate him. It's up to him to show that he deserves his place in the national team."

Italy host Azerbaijan in Palermo on Friday before travelling to Malta the following Tuesday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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