Football Season Guide

Last season was a very disappointing one for Napoli as they missed out on a top 4 finish (by just 1 point). Inconsistency in the first part of the campaign in particular would prove to be their undoing. Coach Gennaro Gattuso, who at the end of the season would no longer be in speaking terms with President De Laurentiis, was logically let go while the experienced, but temperamental, Luciano Spalletti was hired instead. The summer has not been particularly lively for Napoli. In fact, they only lost a couple of starters in left-back Hysaj, who will rejoin his mentor Sarri at Lazio, and inconsistent holding midfielder Bakayoko, who returned to his parent club, Chelsea. Centre-back Maksimovic was unable to overcome disagreements with the club and left in search of a more lucrative contract elsewhere. While not many players have departed, incoming players have also been few and far between. Napoli have acquired winger Politano for good from Inter and nothing else aside from youngsters and fringe players returning from loan spells elsewhere. None of them are likely to be significantly involved. At the moment, Napoli are looking for young blood in most departments, with just the attack in no need of strengthening. A left-back to replace the departed Hysaj, and a holding midfielder are desperately needed, even more so as Demme is expected to spend some time on the sidelines. Bad news could come from Insigne, who has not renewed his contract yet: if he had to quit, Napoli would also find themselves short up-front.