Edinson Cavani is happy to stay in Napoli, as he discusses his ambitions with the Partenopei and the secret behind his goalscoring success so far.
Edinson Cavani is happy to stay in Napoli, as he discusses his ambitions with the Partenopei and the secret behind his goalscoring success so far.
Cavani has been linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs in recent months, off the back of his performances for Napoli in Serie A and the Champions League.
However, the Uruguayan has revealed his happiness in Naples, as well as his reaction to Aurelio De Laurentiis suggesting he would not even accept a bid of €100m for the striker.
“It is nice to feel this great trust from the President, I know he loves me,” Cavani told Il Mattino on Tuesday.
“In Napoli, I find everything is perfect and I want to savour every moment, live each moment, day after day thinking about always giving my best and tyring to get as far as possible with my team.
“I don’t even listen to the rumours.”
“My dream is to win the Champions League. We are still in the race and are trying to continue on in the competition. Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two strongest teams, but in the field you never know what can happen.
“It will be a very difficult game, the second leg against Chelsea. In London we will need maximum concentration and correct attention. We must realise that every move the opponent makes could prove decisive.
“So we need to repeat the same attitude we had in the first leg. These game can turn one way or another and in only 10 minutes, so we cannot afford to rest for a moment, for even one ball – it will take a great Napoli to win.”
Cavani has netted 57 goals in just over 18 months with the Vesuviani and was asked what the secret behind his form with the southern outfit is.
“There is no single secret. At Napoli, there are various components that are bringing the best out of me and allowing me to express my full ability.
“The work of the technical staff certainly leaves me in better condition, whilst my teammates are also as influential.
“The harmony with my teammates is very important, whilst there is also the relationship I have with the fans.
“There has also been the perfect acclimatisation in a city that when you play games makes you feel good and makes you pull out everything you have inside and even more. It all works perfectly for me in Naples, that’s why I’m managing to score so many goals.”
Walter Mazzarri’s formation, which puts Cavani up front with Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik, was proposed as an explanation for Cavani’s form.
“Surely Mazzarri plays a very offensive formation, during games we create many scoring chances and all that increases my confidence because I can shoot more.
“In the field, however, I don’t just go out to score a goal, I really like to help out my teammates in defence, it is part of my game and I do it with pleasure. The team always comes first and to me it is natural to work in other areas of the field, to return the support to the midfielders and defenders.”
Lavezzi’s influence was also discussed.
“Having Pocho in the team is an advantage for everyone. Lavezzi is a great striker and especially a quality player who never gives up – until the last second he is there always fighting for every ball without yielding an inch.
“He has great fighting spirit, it inspires you to win.”