Kalidou Koulibaly’s injury has given Kostas Manolas a chance to reclaim a place in the team and could provide an opportunity to extend his Napoli career.
The Greek defender had recently lost his place in the starting line-up due to injuries and then the great performances from Amir Rrahmani, as Napoli sit first in Serie A after 15 games.
But Luciano Spalletti’s men are going through a difficult time and an injury crisis ahead of the big game against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta on Saturday.
La Dea are fourth and only five points behind the league leaders ahead of Serie A Week 16 and prepare for a match against a wounded Napoli.
Manolas has been linked with a move away from Naples since the summer, but Koulibaly’s injury might have changed the former Greece international’s situation at the Stadio Diego Maradona.
He could be given an opportunity to show his worth to coach Luciano Spalletti, as Juan Jesus has not been convincing.
The 30-year-old, capped 42 times by Greece, has only played six times across all competitions this term and was out with a stomach problem when Napoli played 2-2 with Sassuolo last time.
It’s uncertain if he will be back in time to play against La Dea, but he could become an important asset in the upcoming weeks and could prove that he still has a future at Napoli.
If Manolas wants to move, Spalletti will have to look for a replacement in the upcoming transfer market, but the former Roma defender is currently tied to the club on a deal expiring in June 2024.