QPR midfielder Joey Barton is about as open a book as you’ll find in the Premier League, and he penned a few chapters about Mario Balotelli, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson on Friday morning.
If you missed it, Balotelli stepped in to take what would become the game-winning penalty against Besiktas, removing the ball from acting captain Jordan Henderson in the proccess.
It caused mayhem in the media, with Balotelli haters and even Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard taking umbrage with the move.
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Barton didn’t like it one bit. And as a bonus, he tore into Brendan Rodgers for trying to make Jordan Henderson the next Steven Gerrard instead of the first Jordan Henderson. He also claimed that Rodgers told Henderson to take Wayne Rooney’s armband if the Manchester United subbed off during England duty.
Here’s a selection from Barton:Can’t believe people getting on Balotelli. He is technically better at penalties than Henderson. He pulled rank. Scored. End of.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
If Balotelli’s on the pitch and its him or Henderson on a penalty to save your life? Who you gonna let take it? #nobrainer
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Someone somewhere trying to make Henderson, heir to Gerrard’s throne. It will end in tears. He isn’t and will never be capable.Not many are
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
He is great at being himself. Much better than trying to be a Steven Gerrard clone. You can’t copy what SG had. Talent.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Like many, I don’t think Balotelli did anything wrong by taking the penalty. He’s better than 90 percent at PKs, and isn’t taking the ball out of a money man like Leighton Baines.
