Elia is keen to distance himself from the comparisons.
Southampton new signing Eljero Elia has been keen to distance himself from comparisons with Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli after completing a loan move from Werder Bremen.
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Elia has been compared to Balotelli after a series of off-field incidents including taking a selfie next to his crashed car and swearing at fans on Facebook.
Yet the Dutchman has been keen on stressing that since moving to St Mary’s all he is looking to do is help the Saints out.
“I cannot wait to play. I want to show people what I can do,” the Elia was quoted by the Daily Star.
“I want to prove myself and be important for the team. In want to prove the things they say about me are not true and be only positive.”
The Netherlands international is a winger who will now be competing with the likes of in-form Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic for a place in Ronald Koeman’s starting XI.
The manager has also been quick to announce that if he was concerned about Elia’s attitude then he would not have signed the 27-year-old.
The Dutchman now has a chance to rebuild his career on the South Coast and show the talent that has seen him earn 28 international caps to date.