Napoli enter the new campaign in a period of transition following the exit of three club legends. Stephen Kasiewicz believes the Partenopei can still challenge at the top of the table this season.
The departure from Napoli of iconic winger Lorenzo Insigne was expected after the Italy star agreed a pre-contract deal with MLS side Toronto FC in January. But losing adopted Neapolitans Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens in the same summer transfer window was not in the script.
Saying goodbye to Insigne was bad enough. The devastating loss of outstanding defensive leader Koulibaly to Chelsea and inspirational Belgian forward Mertens left Napoli fans stunned and dejected. The trio were irreplaceable in the eyes of many. Controversial owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is unafraid of upsetting people and clearly has his own vision for the future of the club.
After the despair, a tentative sense of optimism returned as the Partenopei brought in a number of intriguing reinforcements. Despite operating with a reduced budget Napoli signed Georgian international winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, experienced South Korean centre-back Kim Min-jae, Norwegian defender Leo Østigård and Uruguayan left-back Mathías Olivera.
Coach Luciano Spalletti also retained the bulk of the team which went unbeaten for the opening 12 games of the previous campaign before eventually falling to third.
The quick integration of the new recruits will be essential if Napoli are to compete with Serie A’s leading clubs. The Scudetto looks a step too far, with Champions League qualification a more realistic target for the new-look squad.
Key man: Victor Osimhen
The Nigerian striker, above, must avoid injury for Napoli to keep pace with the league leaders.
When the 23-year-old sustained a fractured cheekbone in the Partenopei’s 3-2 defeat at Inter last season he missed eight league games and the Neapolitan side lost three times.
Often deployed as a lone striker, Osimhen is not afraid to put his body on the line and sometimes suffers as a result. Given decent service the attacker is as good as anyone in Europe and struck 14 times in 27 Serie A games last term.
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Spalletti has already stated that Napoli face an uphill battle to compete with Serie A’s top clubs. It’s an understandable take for a coach trying to temper expectations.
The loss of world class centre-back Koulibaly would weaken any club and Kim has big shoes to fill along with Amir Rrahmani in central defence. Italy international Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Olivera make up the rest of the back four with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka forming a protective two man shield in midfield.
Osimhen was often badly isolated in attack last term and Spalletti must push his attacking three closer to the centre-forward in order for a more balanced offensive front.
Watch out for: The Georgian wing wizard
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a big name signing in every sense.
The 21-year-old from Tbilisi has the almighty task of replacing Insigne on the left wing. Technically brilliant and possessing the kind of magic touch which would excite even the most pessimistic fan, the Georgia international is definitely one worth following in the forthcoming campaign.
Get the full 2022-23 Serie A season preview here.