Paolo Cannavaro believes that Napoli are in good shape for the new season, despite limited transfer activity.
The Vesuviani have turned Goran Pandev’s loan into a permanent stay and could welcome Lorenzo Insigne into the senior set-up after time spent away on loan.
Paolo Cannavaro believes that Napoli are in good shape for the new season, despite limited transfer activity.
The Vesuviani have turned Goran Pandev’s loan into a permanent stay and could welcome Lorenzo Insigne into the senior set-up after time spent away on loan.
Even with few new faces to welcome to pre-season this year, captain Cannavaro is optimistic for Napoli’s chances looking ahead.
“The strong signal that the club have given us is to have confirmed most of the squad in value and by integrating into it some younger players.
“Very often news purchases arrive, but the truth is that this group has shown over the years that it is already very strong. Having grown up together is a major advantage that we have, especially at a time when Italian teams are losing important elements to others abroad.
“We’re already thinking towards the Supercoppa. It would be great to win another trophy and it will be a special game like all those we play with Juventus, with rivalry and prestige.
“I’m not proclaiming that we will win the trophy, but I am saying that when you win you feel stronger and want to win again.”
Cannavaro then reflected on Ezequiel Lavezzi’s sale and the two players identified with replacing him, Insigne and Eduardo Vargas.
“Pocho was an important player for us and we will surely lose something unpredictable. But, I repeat that we have a team full of players with great quality.
“Lorenzo has great talent and will prove it. I hope that he gets the space to grow and that the responsibility does not weigh him down.
“As I am sure that the six months of settling down that Vargas has done will mean we can see his true value.”
Walter Mazzarri revealed this week that he is trying out a new formation with the players.
“Well, in reality we have one formation that is tried and tested and this is the advantage of having the same Coach for three years.
“When we returned this summer, Mazzarri presented himself to us saying: ‘I am the new Coach’.
“This surprised us, but we have still put in a lot of energy as a result because we understand the mentality with which the Coach wants to give us new strength and motivation.
“I think that this alternative formation of 5-3-1-1 will enrich our options, but the pattern is not fixed.”