A dose of reality as Napoli collapse in the Basque country - WELCOME TO THE 2014/15 SEASON

Well, the season hasn't even started and its already off to a very bad start.The abject failure against Athletic Bilbao has alarms bells sounding at full volume. What effect will this have for season ahead? 

Under pressure

Last term

Under Rafa Benitez the team finished third in Serie A, possibly the bare minimum expected of the new coach. We were unlucky to be knocked out of a very tough Champions League group with 12 points but then stunk it up the Europa League with virtually the same squad of players. The season ended on a high by winning the Coppa Italia, although this was overshadowed by the tragic death of Napoli fan Ciro Esposito. Overall I gave last season a B-

Transfers in?

Well, we signed Michu on loan from Swansea. French defender Kalidou "K2" Koulibaly has been brought in. David Lopez and Jonathan De Guzman arrives to help plug the self inflicted gap in midfield. At the time of writing, that is it. 

Man mountain Kalidou Koulibaly aka The Wardrobe

                                 

Transfer out?

Argentine defender Federico Fernandez joins Swansea after an offer that could not be refused arrived. Midfield wrecking ball Valon Behrami has left – A departure already being felt.
  

How will the team line up?

Rafael: Maggio/Zuniga, Albiol, Koulibaly, Zuniga/Ghoulam: Inler, Jorginho: Callejon, Hamsik, Insigne/Mertens: Higuain

What to expect in 2014/15?

Anyone that has followed Napoli closely over the summer would not have been surprised by the abject failure in Spain last Wednesday.

The summer has been a real mess. Between a record number of players at the World Cup, hardly any transfer deals of any note and the failure the sign Maxime Gonalons it has been a shambles. We have spent all summer trying to sign a stud midfielder, only to be faced by rejections left right and centre.  

Sporting Director Riccardo Bigon and Aurelio De Laurentiis both need to have a serious look at themselves for what is going on off the pitch. Lazio signed Stefan De Vrij, Newcastle signed Daryl Janmaat, Inter signed Gary Medel. These were realistic transfer targets for not a lot of money signing for clubs not offering Champions League football. If they can do it (Newcastle are financialy sound club, Lotito at Lazio is a tight ass) then why can't we?

Bottom line, this team has not been strengthened when you look at what Lazio, Roma and Inter have done over the summer and we start the season with a squad which is somehow worse on paper than last year.

Off the field, club president De Laurentiis has not only assaulted a fan this year but also swore at one.. The man should be held up as a hero for what he has done since he bought the club, but right now he is under serious pressure as over 65% of fans (in an online poll) are blaming him for Champions League elimination. He rightly must not overspend as I for one do not want to return to the dark days of Salvatore Naldi and Giorgio Corbelli, however this is the summer we needed to make a big leap in terms of quality, given what happened at Juventus over the summer as well as the chasing pack closing the gap in quality. 

As fans we don't help ourselves either. The prime example being the jeering of Lorenzo Insigne. He is not Lionel Messi but give the kid a break. This has to stop!!!!

The overall felling I get is that something is not right at Napoli. You just have to look at the behaviour of Valon Behrami, Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne in Dimaro and this could be the year of a meltdown. It is imperative that the team start the Serie A campaign running or as we witnessed in the mid 90s and early 00s, things can get very nasty very fast.

Personally, after the humiliation of Bilbao, Benitez must get this squad to finish the season in at least second place to have any chance of staying on beyond this term. It is a very tough target and one, I am afraid to say which is beyond the group of players he has been presented with.

Napoli Digest - 15 August 2014

+++CLAMOROSO+++ Midfielders want to join Napoli!!!!! Well the Daily Star reckon Lucas Leiva is desperate to join up with Rafa Benitez and it reported here that Marouane Fellaini may even want to join Napoli, even WITHOUT Champions League football Woof. A more likely transfer is that of Jonathan De Guzman as reported here by transfer adonis Gianluca Di Marzio.

Somebody having a bizarre summer is club president Aurelio De Laureniis. Here he is praising the appointment of banana lover and all round bad guy Carlo Tavecchio. ADL blurts "Football needs less talk and a lot of hard facts" yes, it does Aurelio...

From the bizarre to the downright stupid from Marco Tardelli. Tardelli may as well throw his betting money in the bin

Napoli Digest - 14 August 2014

Well folks, Federico Fernandez is a step closer to joining Swansea as revealed by Swans coach Garry Monk here

Are we any closer to signing anybody? Well, yes according to transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio . But what about Fellaini? Well apparently we have put in a loan bid today as reported here by Football Italia. However, other reports state that the big haired belgian wants to stay at Old Trafford

and could Kristoph Kramer be back on the market? Nah...

Away from transfer activity Yup, it exists almost 25,000 tickets were sold in ONE HOUR for the crunch game against Athlertic Bilbao as reported here by Tuttonapoli. The San Paolo will be rocking

Napoli Digest - 13 August 2014

Well, I thought had posted something last night but I had let myself down. Anyway. I am back after a hiatus due to starting a new job and moving away. I will try my best to keep this up.

So on to business, or lack of it

Is it a case of one in and one out? Football Italia report that Federico Fernandez has left training ahead of a move to Swansea. Britos will save us all though. More that that, Tuttonapoli report he will have a medical tomorrow. Will former Swan Jonathan De Guzman be heading to Napoli? Maybe... Indeed, the transfer adonis Gianluca Di Marzio reports that talks are ongoing with an associate of De Guzman . WE MIGHT SIGN SOMEBODY

This De Guzman talk appears to have surfaced after Manchester United rejected a second loan bid for Marouane Fellaini as reported by the Daily Express

To add to the woe, it appears Arsenal are interested in signing Edu Vargas. Well, thats what the Daily Star reckon

Also, you can add Goran Pandev to the list of players Rafa Benitez has upset as reported here by The Sirens Song

If I have not depressed you enough then take time out to read this from UEFA ahead of the biggest game of the season next week.....

Napoli Digest - 24 April 2014

Is Maxime Gonalons finally going to sign for Napoli? and are we surprised a transfer involving Napoli takes this long? His agent seems pretty confident as reported here by Football Italia 80%? How do we get the extra 20%?

Meanwhile, news to warm the hearts of all Napoli fans....Pablo Armero wants to stay in England

Elsewhere, Football-Oranje reports interest in Feyenoord right-back Daryl Janmaat.

and finally

Take a look at the video uploaded by the club today. These three players give me hope that we will see a proper revolution this summer - I for one am ready for a proper youth movement at the club - players that are hungry for success. We all love Lorenzo Insigne, Jorginho has immense potential and Faouzi Ghoulam has been a revelation More of the same ADL

Napoli Digest - 23 April 2014

Well, its not been the best of days for Brazilian utility man Henrique. He was lucky to talk away with minor bruising following a ""high speed" car crash. Looks nasty. I suppose he will be getting the Buss now...

Last night Swiss midfielder and alleged Lionman Gokhan Inler gave an interview to Piuenne. You can find the details here thanks to Forza Italian Football.

Do Napoli have any players left to face Inter? asks Siren's Song as the injury list worsens ahead of the Rafa v Walter showdown this weekend.

and finally

Yet another Juan Zuniga sighting and this time with a furry friend called Niko.... Least that dog will be well fed with Camilo's hard earned wages...

Napoli DIgest - 21 April 2014

Well, I hope you all had a great Easter Holiday. By the sounds of it Valon Behrami didn't as detailed here by Siren's Song Its poor Jorginho I feel sorry for in this row

Speaking of the young Brazilian; here he is enjoying a BBQ....


The team over at CalcioNapoli24 has asked a bunch of prominent journalist for three players that can improve the Napoli squad. You can see the results here Andrea Ranocchia and Micah Richards??

and finally


President Aurelio De Laurentiis is a bit of a visionary. But I think he has excelled himself this time with his latest idea of a Napoli rap song.
This from the man that botched the new version O Surdato ‘Nnammurato

Napoli Digest - 19 April 2014

"Poor Display, Poor Result" reads the headline on Siren's Song report of today's 1-1 draw with Udinese and thank goodness I was unable to watch this game. Rafa Benitez was pretty unhappy with what he saw as you can see here from Football Italia

At least today brought two bits of relatively good news. 1) Aurelio De Laurentiis could not have been clearer about the future of Marek Hamsik and 2) The defeat of Fiorentina means we now just need two points from four games to wrap up third place.

Of course, ahead of the Inter game next weekend it would just be our luck that Walter is picking up form I am sure he will remain humble....

Anyway, HERE IS ANOTHER JUAN ZUNIGA SIGHTING (source: SSC Napoli)

                     
and finally..

I wish you all a Happy Easter

Napoli Digest - 18 April

After yesterdays rumours that Marek Hamsik was up for sale, Rafa Benitez has quashed the rumours stating that the club won't be considering offers for him. You can see full quotes here on Football Italia

Defender Bruno Uvini has been sent on loan to Brazilian side Santos, but he has not played since moving. Here is what he had to say about the matter via Sambafoot

Elsewhere, are we about to see a Juan Zuniga play again? He is in the squad for the game against Udinese this weekend. You can find the squad list here 
He might start earning the money from his recent contract extension now

Camilo's Colombian team mate and Napoli owned Pablo Armero wants to stay at West Ham as reporter here by TuttoMercatoWeb 

And finally

News via Tuttonapoli from Sky journalist Massimo Ugolini claims that Walter Mazzarri wanted to send Lorenzo Insigne on loan again! I have no words...

Napoli Digest - 17 April 2014

So, here we are. Two days before the important match against Udinese in north east Italy. A place the team has not won since 2007 . How confident are we? I am already reaching for the alcohol as Gonzalo Higuain sustained an injury thanks to Raul Albiol in training - so he will not feature as reported here by Tuttonapoli.

A man rehabilitated under Rafa Benitez is Argentine defender Federico Fernandez. Football Italia have excerpts from a recent interview with Fox Sports where he talks about the World Cup and Naples. 

Fellow defender Raul Albiol has also been talking about Napoli needing a "winning mentality" A Coppa Italia victory is a good start!

I have been trying to avoid this story but if you believe the Daily Express then Chelsea and Manchester United are set to battle it out for "unsettled" Marek Hamsik. Nobody was reporting these rumours before January when Hamsik was impressing everybody. Oddly enough, his poor form has coincided with a return from serious injury. Who'd of thought....

and finally

Does the future of Walter Mazzarri at Inter depend on him qualifying for a competition he hates? Not according to ex Napoli and current Inter director Marco Fassone as reported here by Forza Italia Football  Walter in the Europa League......Well I suppose the kids will get a game

Napoli Digest - 16 April 2014

Its the birthday of Rafa Bentiez, so happy birthday to the big man. It appears that he was given club legend Gianfranco Zola as a gift!. In all seriousness it appears that Rafa will be staying beyond this season as reported here by Football Italia and this is probably the correct decision.

Elsewhere, talkSport describe Josip Radosevic as a "flop" and is of interest to Aston Villa.... Bit harsh for a  guy that has Gokan Inler, Blerim Dzemaili, Valon Behrami and Jorginho ahead of him... That's not to say he won't leave this summer and his agent has said that the situation will be reevaluated at the end of the season as reported here by Tuttonapoli

How about this? Edinson Cavani apparently misses Naples. Well, that's what his biographer says in an exclusive interview with CalcioNapoli24. Woof

and finally

Back to matters relating to Rafa's birthday. How would you feel if you were given a cake with your face on it?

Napoli Digest - 15 April 2014

WOW. Juventus coach Antonio Conte has apologised for his comments after Rafa Benitez offered the cat haired coach some help ahead of Juve's Europa League tie with Benfica as reported here by Football Italia.

Former club captain Paolo Cannavaro has also been speaking about leaving the club and about  former coach Walter Mazzarri.

Transfer news is never far away and the usually reliable Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that the club are closing in on Genk defensive midfielder Kalidou Koulibaly. Di Marzio has also offered an update on the Maxime Gonalons situation

On to more alarming matters now and Panorama reporter Nicolo Schira is reporting of a split between sporting director Riccardo Bigon and coach Benitez. You can read more of that here Rafa being more hands on might not be a bad thing. Of all the 'Rafa' signings, only Raul Albiol has got worse, and that is mainly because he has been played too often.

and finally

Here is a picture of Gonzalo Higuain with a group of attractive dancers courtesy of Calcionapoli24  

Napoli Digest - 14 April 2014

So, one day after Rafa Benitez took some of the credit for Gonzalo Higuain getting a hat-trick against Lazio, the Argentine had some things to say about the matter as reported here by Football Italia. To be honest, after Rafa gave him a bit of a dressing down it was nice to Gonzalo react in exactly the right way. Meanwhile, UEFA pointed out that Higuain scored his first hat-trick for the club exactly 29 years after legend Diego Maradona did the same thing! Woof

Elsewhere, CalcionNapoli24 has pointed out a similarity between the duo of Higuain and Dries Mertens with the old double act of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani.

Transfer stories are never far away and today is no different. Italian Football Daily are convinced that a revolution in midfield will be had this summer with Jorginho the only survivor...

Is Maxime Gonalons going to be part of this revolution? Tuttonapoli has a theory. The Lyon website does not have a picture of the club captain in any promotional material for next seasons jersey! Gonalons himself has been talking as reported here by Football Italia.

Napoli Digest - 13 April 2014

Well, that was a unnecessarily topsy turvy 4-2 win over Lazio. Sirens Song headline says it all!

The win was in no small part thanks to the three goals of Gonzalo Higuain - for which coach Rafa Benitez is taking some of the credit for motivating the Argentine - as reported here by Tuttonapoli .Rafa Benitez was also happy with the sides performance as reported here by Forza Italian Football.

Another Higuain goal must mean another loud PA announcement from Decibel Bellini

On the other side, Lazio boss Edy Reja felt his side deserved more from the game (and he may have a point) after a spirited performance, despite his side being down to 10 men for part of the second half.

The team over at NapoliMagazine.com are always good for match day photos, nearly 700 from the game can be found here .

This is possibly be the most bizarre highlight reel I have seen in a while... Its not exactly FIFA

and finally

LOOK HOW FAR DRIES MERTENS GETS OFF THE GROUND WHILE SCORING HIS FIRST GOAL

Napoli Digest - 12 April 2014

Its the day before the Lazio game so Rafa Benitez has been giving his pre-match press conference. Football Italia has reported on Rafa's responses to questions about Gonzalo Higuain. Rafa's own website has a detailed list of the Q&A's.

Former Napoli and current Lazio coach Edy Reja has also been giving his views about the matchup as reported here by Football Italia.

Meanwhile, Chelsea player Nemanja Matic has made some positive comments about under fire club captain Marek Hamsik. Forza Italian Football has the article.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis has also been giving his views on a number of matters to TG3. Tuttonapoli has been reporting his words, including his vision of creating an"International" Napoli with Rafa.

and finally

Inter fans have already stared writing articles about the future of Walter Mazzarri. "Shall we open the 'Kovacic' chapter?". Yes lets do that! The grass is not always greener on the other side of the road, as they say..

Napoli Digest - 11 April 2014

The marvellous Football Italia has reported the thoughts of Dino Zoff about the current squad and what he thinks should be improved

The excellent Siren's Song have been looking at the reasons behind Marek Hamsik's poor form and the general inconsistency of the team ....

"Napoli's consistent inconsistency can't solely be put down to their defence. Napoli didn't lose the game against Parma at the back. Their problems were too profound to explain away with individual mistakes." writes @sargeant_j

Tuttonapoli has reported that Paolo Cannavaro will return to Naples after his loan at Sassuolo is up at the end of the season.

Forza Italian Football has been reporting on the future of on loan goalkeeper Pepe Reina. He has stated that his future will be decided by Liverpool. This must be the 100th time he said this since he joined on loan

and finally

Tuttonapoli have managed to get hold of new images of the proposed new Stadio San Paolo. Again, how many times have we seen lavish computer generated images of the new stadium? A career as a stadium designer for EA Sports beckons

A list of players Walter Mazzarri rejected at Napoli

Good old Walter is not having the best of times at present, so I may as well stick the boot in as well....

Jesus Datolo
Luca Cigarini
Jose Sosa
German Denis
Walter Gargano
Hassan Yebda
Federico Fernandez
Eduardo Vargas
Omar El Kaddouri
Giandominco Mesto



Not a bad bunch of players