Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis explains in typically understated terms why they cannot ‘have a donkey of a second goalkeeper’ to avoid upsetting Alex Meret.
The Partenopei released David Ospina from his contract because the Colombia international had wanted a wage increase, and have now promoted Meret to first choice.
However, they are seeking a big name to be his understudy, linked with the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea and PSG’s Keylor Navas.
“In our history, we have always had two quality goalkeepers with a lot of character, then there was a third as reserve, but the first two cannot be reserves,” De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“We cannot have one good goalkeeper and a donkey of a second goalkeeper just to keep the first one happy. I doubt Meret could think such a thing.
“If there is an injury for Meret, who goes in goal? A goalkeeper cannot play all 52 matches per season, he has to divide it up.”
Meret was purchased from Udinese for €26m after an initial loan in 2018, but now aged 25, he has failed to develop the way people expected.
Considered once the new Gigi Buffon, he has seen his progress stalled by injuries, costly errors and a lack of confidence.
Every season he starts out in theory as Napoli’s first choice, only to see himself dropped for the older options.
Last term, Meret managed only 15 competitive matches for the Partenopei, while the year before that he had 28.
ADL finally said something right, woooooooooooooow finally
I can’t think of a single spectacular game Meret has had, but I vividly remember several horrible ones. In my view, he is simply a liability.
this guy barely plays because of all the injuries and then when he does finally get to play, he makes mistake after mistake
obviously ADL wants another quality GK – and whoever it ends up being will probably end up with more games played in a season than Meret
The last time Meret had a great game was in 2016 vs Germany in the euro U19 championships.
Meret hasn’t developed the way people expected prob because he hasn’t played enough. 25 is still very young for a gk, he can still come good in his late 20s, early 30s (I mean Ospina only really came good pretty late on). That said, he isn’t ready to be the 1st choice gk this season. Navas would be amazing. I don’t really see Kepa working out. I also have serious reservations regarding Spaletti but let’s see.