Napoli attacker Simone Verdi has expressed his desire to ‘stay here and prove my worth’.
Napoli paid Bologna €25m to sign Verdi last season, but injuries and competition for places were followed by reports of a return to Milan in January.
However, the 26-year-old was praised by Coach Carlo Ancelotti after he scored and assisted in the Partenopei’s 4-1 thrashing of Roma.
Napoli attacker Simone Verdi has expressed his desire to ‘stay here and prove my worth’.
Napoli paid Bologna €25m to sign Verdi last season, but injuries and competition for places were followed by reports of a return to Milan in January.
However, the 26-year-old was praised by Coach Carlo Ancelotti after he scored and assisted in the Partenopei’s 4-1 thrashing of Roma.
“My physical condition wasn’t at the top and I couldn’t show my quality, but against Roma I raised my performance levels,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“Being immersed in an atmosphere like this, at a team like this, can only improve you. We want to go all the way in the Europa League and win it.
“We know it’ll be very difficult against Arsenal. They’ve always played good football and they’re used to playing at a high level in Europe.
“We’ll have to go to London, play our game and not forget that the return leg is at the San Paolo.
“Ancelotti’s a Coach who enriches you in every sense and teaches you different concepts of the game.
“He’s in a different League as a Coach, without taking anything away from the others.
“He’s someone who wins wherever he goes, which means he manages to give something to his players.
“He wants to win something here, this season we’re playing for something and we’ll give it a go.
“I have a contract at Napoli that binds me for five years and I want to stay here to prove my worth.
“Newspapers are made for writing. I hadn’t been showing much and maybe they thought I wanted to leave or it was because I didn’t play much, but it’s not the case.
“In order to break into the national team, I have to prove my worth here in Naples. After that, maybe Mancini’s call will come.”
Verdi was then asked about teammate Alex Meret, who has established himself as Napoli’s No 1 in recent months.
“II was lucky enough to play with Meret in the national team too. We’d worked together on shots and it was clear that he had something special,” he added.
“Seeing him here, I’ve realised that he was born to play in goal. He’ll be in the national team for many years to come. Now it’s up to him.
“He’s a serious lad, simple to get on with, and the future is certainly on his side.”