The president evaluates the future: Di Lorenzo and Kvara leaders. Goodbye to Meret and Raspadori, many others in the balance
– Naples
Three months, then it will be revolution again. It is difficult to understand how much this end of the season will have a major impact on the future choices of president Aurelio De Laurentiis, but we can be convinced of something: without qualifying for the Champions League, Napoli will change face again. We will have to review the wage bill and probably also lower the average age of the squad. Not having to compete on two prestigious fronts – and, should it be Europa Leauge, there will be no need for a “Champions” squad – the need for the famous 22 starters who demand coaches to honor all commitments, perhaps giving more space to the players who are currently on loan and who will return in the summer with better technical and experience skills than in the past. This is the case of goalkeeper Caprile, taken last summer from Bari and then transferred to Empoli, where he is proving ready to play an important role also in Serie A, of midfielder Folorunsho, essential in Baroni’s Verona. Or Zerbin and Gaetano, who moved to Monza and Cagliari in January and are already missed in these parts, given the impact they had in the new realities. The stock market, perhaps, will need to be updated from week to week, but in the meantime, between now and May there are few who are sure of staying and many are in the balance.
who remains
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Captain Di Lorenzo leads the group of untouchables, the men around whom the team to come will be built. With him there are Politano, Lobotka and Anguissa, pillars of the championship so you will just have to be careful of any indecent offers, Olivera, held back this year by a bad injury, and then the new Natan, Ngonge and Mazzocchi. Kvaratskhelia deserves a separate discussion: the Georgian star will have to discuss the renewal after two seasons in which he earned just 1.5 per year, despite his top player certificate. But he is the symbol of the future and De Laurentiis will do everything to convince him to renew even without the Champions League. Not obvious, of course, but the contract until 2027 still favors the president’s will.
poised
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The uncertain group is, as always, the most popular. Much, in fact, will depend on who the coach will be and the competitions to be played. What is certain is that without the Champions League it will not be possible to keep two reserve “bombers” like Raspadori and Simeone, who with Mazzarri have never scored in Serie A. A turning point is urgently needed to deserve a place in the future project. Gollini’s loan expires, but they will try to get him back, while Traoré has a very high ransom. Rrahmani, Juan Jesus and Mario Rui have a certain weight within the dressing room, but their seasonal performance is below expectations. Cajuste and Lindstrom, champions of the summer championship, have not yet proven that they are from Naples: a big problem, especially for the Dane paid 30 million. Jesper is finally showing signs, but he is also someone who has a market: with the right offer, Napoli will not make barricades.
who is leaving
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There is no certainty about tomorrow, or at least that’s what they said. But there is already something decided here: Demme and Zielinski are already organizing the move, given the contract expiring on June 30th. Piotr will go to Inter, Diego is looking for a home but in the meantime both are already out of the project. Thinking of a redemption for Dendoncker today is utopia, while for Osimhen only the 130 million check is expected: Victor and the club have been clear about the future. Ostigard was saying goodbye in January, he will probably do so in the summer, while Meret’s adventure also seems to be in the final stages: the option to extend the expiring contract will be exercised, but then he will end up on the market. The purchase of Caprile suggests this.
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