He spoke on “1 Football Club”, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione broadcast on 1 Station Radio Gennaro Ciotola, sporting director and former chief scout of Cagliari. Below is an excerpt from the interview.
Napoli has shelved the salary cap strategy. A choice which, however, also opens the doors to second lines who can be talents and prospects, in order to balance the accounts. Do you know the name of any young players seen by Napoli?
“I knew there was this situation where, after several years, they are trying to work on young people. Obviously, today, when we talk about young people we must talk about European football, without dwelling on the Neapolitan ‘scugnizzeria’. It is a discussion also addressed by Atalanta and it is right that it is also undertaken by the De Laurentiis family. Look for a new Kvara, but get there sooner, making it grow in Spring. I don’t know which players are being viewed, but it’s a project in progress. In recent months, the company was not yet willing to launch this project. A class of 2007, whom I followed, was in fact signed by Bologna and not by the Azzurri, to whom I proposed him in December”.
Was Conte the best profile for Napoli?
“We said it and underlined: it couldn’t have been better. He is the only one who could solve the problems of the season that just ended. We must consider that Conte is not only an iron sergeant, but also a coach capable of improving his players.”
Since Napoli has waived the salary cap, is it legitimate to compare profiles like Federico Chiesa?
“Aside from Chiesa being Conte’s thing, and we know it, there is a problem relating to Chiesa’s tactical compatibility with Motta’s game system. Above all, if Federico wants to stay in Italy, there is no place more attractive than Naples. Napoli will aim to win the Scudetto straight away. He is a player who represents the ideal solution, for tactical reasons, the coach’s appeal and the possibility of accompanying Kvaratskhelia and, perhaps, Gimenez, the ideal striker for the new blue project. If Napoli can afford certain outlays today, it is also thanks to the prudent management of the president, who made a mistake once but will not repeat it.”
Who will be Napoli’s goalkeeper next season?
“I tell you Meret. To this day, I believe that he is still Napoli’s goalkeeper. There is also talk of a possible renewal. In my opinion, he will still be the one to defend Napoli’s goal next season, despite Caprile having grown a lot. In recent years, he has experienced ups and downs, without enjoying the trust of the public.”
