Neres and the hierarchies of Conte’s Napoli

And suddenly Neres. Disarming, devastating, enlightening. Napoli had already had a taste of the Brazilian’s potential, but needed a night at the top of the class to get the message across to everyone. And a new Serie A star could have definitely been born in Udine. Giovanni Manna and Antonio Conte chased him all summer, negotiated in secret, trying to keep the name secret. Because David is a gem, a tightrope walker all dribbling and imagination who however has never had a great relationship with continuity of performance. Yet, everyone in Europe has known him for a long time: he won with Ajax and Benfica, where he arrived to escape the war after a brief spell at Shakhtar. Over the years he has also made a name for himself in the Champions League, often ending up in the highlights of the best plays. Sole tunnels, heel dribbles, overwhelming ball and chain descents. Magic, like the ones that dragged Napoli on Saturday evening to Friuli, with tears that devastated Udinese’s resistance.

NEW LIFE

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And what do we do now? How can you give up the talent and acceleration of the Brazilian, who has often remained on the sidelines, in the shadow of the owners? Neres is an added starter and Conte has always underlined this. But from the belly of the Bluenergy Stadium on Saturday night came the coronation that could change his current status, as well as his season. “Will he play together with Kvara? And why can’t he play like this time with Politano? David’s performance is a warning to everyone, nothing is taken for granted here, everyone can sit down. And Neres is a starter…”. Conte’s words had a notable echo and seemed to be addressed especially to those who were not in Udine. And to those who will now have to demonstrate every day that they are still indispensable. For sure, David is an added value of this new Napoli, the extra man. The one capable of changing matches with a cold play, with an acceleration. After the overwhelming action that favored Giannetti’s own goal, David went to embrace his teammates and his new delirious people. And in that same instant he also understood that now a new blue life will begin.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

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The number 7 shirt already seemed like a sign of destiny. It was the one chosen by Lavezzi when he landed in Naples. And Pocho also chose Udine to enchant Serie A. David’s impact on Napoli was however predestined: he came on in the 88th minute on his debut with Bologna, immediately exchanged with Kvara, then the assist for Simeone. Here, the assists are a trademark of the house: 3 in the first three games, in just 32 minutes on the pitch. And the time played has been limited so far in the league: before Udine, Neres had only been a starter once, against Lecce. And always before this day he was at the top of the ranking of the most substituted players: 12 times. In short, David seemed the most authoritative candidate for the 6th Man of the Year award, as is used in basketball. That is, of the man with the most incisive impact coming off the bench. But this is a race he could now say goodbye to. Politano and Kvara are no longer so untouchable, not in the face of Neres’ desire to emerge. Who always seems to have just woken up when he comes in, but then he’s the one who rings the alarm. And to play the opponents.