Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri is considering deploying Dries Mertens as a direct replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, playing as a false nine.
The Belgian saved the Partenopei from a humiliating first defeat in this season's opener against Pescara, as he came on in the second half and scored twice.
Pundits have speculated that Mertens, in his current condition of form, may have overtaken Lorenzo Insigne as the preferred starter on the left flank.
Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri is considering deploying Dries Mertens as a direct replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, playing as a false nine.
The Belgian saved the Partenopei from a humiliating first defeat in this season's opener against Pescara, as he came on in the second half and scored twice.
Pundits have speculated that Mertens, in his current condition of form, may have overtaken Lorenzo Insigne as the preferred starter on the left flank.
But the Corriere dello Sport takes matters further and suggests that Sarri may be thinking of using the 29-year-old as the team's central striker, effectively replacing former star Higuain.
Being less of a true poacher than the Argentine, Mertens would probably end up playing in a false nine role.
This would give a new shape to Napoli's attack, and on the long term could even allow for Mertens and Insigne to be fielded together in an as-of-yet-unseen combination.