Jose Callejon says he is happy at Napoli, with ‘total freedom’ and is targeting winning something big with the club this season.
The Partenopei head into the new season with expectation on them to not only reach the group stages of the Champions League and go beyond, but to challenge more strongly for the Scudetto in the wake of Antonio Conte’s exit from Juventus.
And for the club’s Spanish winger entering into a second season at the San Paolo, winning a trophy is in the mind.
Jose Callejon says he is happy at Napoli, with ‘total freedom’ and is targeting winning something big with the club this season.
The Partenopei head into the new season with expectation on them to not only reach the group stages of the Champions League and go beyond, but to challenge more strongly for the Scudetto in the wake of Antonio Conte’s exit from Juventus.
And for the club’s Spanish winger entering into a second season at the San Paolo, winning a trophy is in the mind.
“That’s the aim. The difference with last year is that now we have the awareness of our strength and we can win something extraordinary,” Callejon has told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We are not afraid of anyone. We want to beat Juve and win the Super Cup, as a former Madridista I would like to also win against Barcelona in the August 6 friendly to send out a signal to everyone, the Champions League Final is within our reach.
“And for someone like me who has worked next to Cristiano Ronaldo, one who arrives before and leaves after everyone else in training, it would be great to face him in the Champions League Final.
“I would like to challenge him, my idol, who I share the same No 7 jersey with, in the Champions League Final, and win. I do not feel crazy.
“We can achieve this with Napoli. We are not afraid of anyone. For me as a Madridista it would be great.
“And the Scudetto? We will do everything possible in every case to overtake [Juventus], because we want to improve and to win more.
“But Juve, Roma, Milan and Inter will also battle from beginning to end.
“What sort of season will it be for Gonzalo Higuain? Gonzalo has played a great World Cup, it is a pity that he did not win the title. But I am sure that he will recover great satisfaction with Napoli and will undoubtedly be the next Capocannoniere in Serie A.”
Callejon has faced speculation over a possible return to Spain this summer, with Atletico Madrid reportedly having a €28m bid turned down.
“My agent told me of this. I was glad [Napoli declared him untransferable] because I really want this shirt.
“I still have four years on my contract. I feel good, I feel the support of the people.
“And I’m a former Real Madrid man? Indeed…but never say never in football. In any case, I do not have a problem – with Benitez I have complete freedom and I do not want to give that up.
“Not even for Mourinho at Chelsea? No.
“My success so far? It is because I try to give 100 per cent and I feel the confidence around me. As it was with Mourinho, it now is with Benitez.
“His phone call last year was the turning point in my career. I needed continuity and he gave it to me. He gave me a dream.”
Benitez predicted last summer that Callejon would score 20 goals, so the winger was asked what his hopes were for the coming season personally.
“I dream of 21. I need to provide more assists, more than the 12 I managed last year.
“But mostly I want to better understand the role of a winger. What it means to defend and attack better, with the counter-attack.”