After a two years in obsecurity, Luciano Spalletti returns to the scene as the head coach of Napoli. The Partenopei parted ways with Gennaro Gattuso after a campaign of ups and downs that saw them eventually missing out on Champions League football after wasting a golden opportunity on the final day of the Serie A season.
Therefore, the experienced manager will be looking to relaunch the southern side with perhaps some of his usual tweaks, but first he needs to get rid of some of the players who are no longer suitable for the project, including the five mentioned below.
Nikola Maksimovic (Center Back)
The Serbian arrived to the San Paolo stadium in 2016 after sealing a big money move from Torino (more than 20 million euros). However, he struggled to justify these figures.
After five seasons at the club, the defender only made 99 appearances in all competitions, and with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Kostas Manolas and even Amir Rrahmani all being ahead of him in the pecking order, his situation is unlikley to improve.
The defender’s contract expires by the end of the month, and allowing him to move elsewhere would be the right call for everyone involved.
?@tuttosport: Fali Ramadani, Nikola #Maksimovic's agent, has proposed the Serbian defender to Milan. Maldini and Massara do not seem to be interested in Napoli's player, as the Rossoneri are already safe with 6 defenders (Tomori, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Gabbia, Caldara and Kalulu). pic.twitter.com/JU0zclUqPe
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) June 4, 2021
Elseid Hysaj (Right-Back)
After six years in southern Italy, the Albanian is now one of the oldest members on the roster. Nonetheless, he has been unable to find his best form since the departure of Maurizio Sarri in 2018.
With the Giovanni Di Lorenzo being the obvious first choice at right-back, the former Empoli man has been used either as a backup for the Italian international on some occasions, or as an option at the left.
This is far from being an ideal situation for a player who can deliver much more, especially upon entering his peak years.
#Lazio and #Fiorentina have shown interest for Elseid #Hysaj, who will leave #Napoli as a free agent. #RealBetis have also opened talks last week. #transfers https://t.co/K2oCDwvDmi
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) May 30, 2021
Faouzi Ghoulam (Left-Back)
Once upon a time, Napoli boasted about owning one of the best left-backs in Italy – if not the very best – however, Spalletti will only find a mere shadow of that player.
Unfortunately for the Algerian, recurring injury problems wrecked his career path, and he must now find himself a less challenging club (or league) where he can try to pick up the pieces.
As for the Azzurri, they should once and for all reinforce this playing department, which has been tainting their staring lineups in the last few seasons.
Read More – Five Players That Juventus Should Sell in The Summer Transfer Market
Stanislav Lobotka (Central Midfielder)
The former Celta Vigo man arrived to the club 18 months ago – perhaps upon the advice of his compatriot Marek Hamsik.
Nevertheless, it is now clear that the 26-year-old is way off the mark in comparison with the former captain and his exploits at the club.
Here’s a shocking stat – in 2020/21, the midfielder didn’t start a single Serie A match. Maybe Spalletti can reignite his Napoli career, but with more established players around, the former Roma and Inter manager might just ignore him as well
Nos joueurs qui disputeront l’#EURO2020 avec leurs couleurs dans quelques jours sont ;
Lorenzo Insigne #ITA
Alex Meret #ITA
Giovanni Di Lorenzo #ITA
Dries Mertens #BEL
Eljif Elmas #MKD
Stanislav Lobotka #SVK
Fabian Ruiz #ESP
Piotr Zielinski #POL pic.twitter.com/kadjPBwiEM— SSC NAPOLI ?? (@NapoliFanFRA) June 6, 2021
Andrea Petagna (Center Forward)
Leonardo Pavoletti, Roberto Inglese and now Andrea Petagna. It just feels like the Partenopei love to buy a big Italian center forward, but these players always end up sitting on the bench in favor of a major foreign investment.
With Victor Osimhen being forged to be the club’s main striker for years to come, the former Milan and Atalanta man doesn’t have much of a chance against the young Nigerian.
Moreover, as we’ve seen last season, even with Osimhen missing, Gattuso opted for a false nine in the form of Dries Mertens. And with Spalletti being a fan of this tactic (deploying Francesco Totti as a center forward in 2006/07), Petagna’s chances of earning decent playing time doesn’t look good.
Torino are interested in Andrea Petagna, who is valued at €12M-€15M. Napoli have expressed an interest in taking Andrea Bellotti plus cash. However, it’s unlikely to happen as Cairo still hopes for a renewal and would only want cash should he leave. (@tuttosport)
— SSC Nap⚽️li News (@SSCNapoliNews_) June 7, 2021