Matteo Politano acknowledges Napoli have ‘lost many leaders’ from the squad and adjusts their ambitions to ‘at least a Champions League place.’
The Partenopei had been Scudetto contenders and indeed leaders for much of the season until falling away and losing the big games.
They eventually finished third and have since arguably downgraded their squad with the departure of Lorenzo Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly, Dries Mertens and David Ospina.
“We lost many great leaders, but someone else can take their place this season,” Politano told Sky Sport Italia.
“Victor Osimhen for example needs to just stay calm and focus on becoming our leader both on and off the field. Giovanni Di Lorenzo is more of a silent captain and he’s perfect for that sort of responsibility.”
With the new season about to kick off, all the talk is about Juventus, Inter, Milan and Roma, but most pundits tend to leave Napoli out of the debate about potential Scudetto challengers.
“We’ll see if it’s as they say with Napoli for fifth or sixth place, but our objective is to at least confirm our Champions League place.
“I expect it to be a similar season to the last, albeit with different players. It’s going to be a competitive Napoli that always aims high.”
With regards to the players who left, Koulibaly was major loss, and it remains to be seen if Kim can adequately replace him. Insigne never lived up to his potential and was inconsistent to the end. He’s already started missing penalties in Toronto. I love Mertens, but he is 35. Ospina was also getting up there.
If Osimhen learns to play for the team instead of for himself, and if the new add-ons live up to even most of their potential, I expect my Napoli to be right in the thick of things all through the season.
Forza Napoli Sempre!