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After a satisfactory 2017-18 Serie A season, Napoli will be aiming to better their performance in the ongoing season. Napoli finished 2nd in the points table last season with 91 points, behind winners Juventus. In the ongoing season, they are 2nd with 18 points. Napoli has appointed Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager after Maurizio Sarri left the Italian shores after the 2017-18 season.
Ancelotti has stated that winning the Serie A title will be his first target. Under Sarri Napoli played an attacking game. Ancelotti has said that he too will adopt the same method, but his main aim will be to strengthen the team’s defense which at times has looked rusty while playing against some of the bigger clubs in the UEFA Champions League.
Ancelotti has already set his sights on the Champions League where the team doesn’t have an impressive record. In the last Champions League season Napoli couldn’t make it to the last 16. The onus will be on Ancelotti to ensure that his side produces some determined performances so as to be on par with some of the big clubs in European football.
Ancelotti and the Napoli team management have to ensure that the team stays consistent in every department. In the ongoing season, Napoli has made an impressive start by winning against Liverpool with a 1-0 scoreline in their group stage game. The 59-year-old manager also went on to say that Napoli has to be competitive during critical junctures of a game and shouldn't allow their intensity to drop.
Ancelotti has also stated that Napoli has some immensely talented players who can give some of the big clubs in Europe a run for their money. We take a look at 5 such players who can play a crucial role for them in the ongoing season.
# 1 Dries Mertens
The 31-year-old looked in prime form last season and produced some magnificent performances. The Belgian troubled the best defenses with his lightning pace while his finishing looked immaculate. DrieMertens also teamed up well with Marek Hamsik and Piotr Zielinski in the midfield. His ability to expose the gaps in the opposition’s half with his clever moves has looked quite sharp.
Dries Mertens was quoted as saying that Carlo Ancelotti's presence will allow him to play freely as the Italian hasn’t tried to tinker his natural game. Dries Mertens scored 18 goals in 38 Serie A games with 6 assists in the last season and will be looking to continue with his excellent run of form in the ongoing season. In the ongoing Serie A season, the Belgian has scored 2 goals in 8 games.
Though he could score only 2 goals in the last Champions League season in 6 games he contributed with 4 assists in the entire campaign. The striker had an eventful World Cup with Belgium and Ancelotti will be hoping the striker continues with his good run of form. Dries Mertens is considered one of the best strikers in the Serie A and Ancelotti will be hoping his experience will inspire his teammates to come good in their upcoming matches.
# 2 Lorenzo Insigne
Lorenzo Insigne’s presence has surely upgraded the quality of Napoli’s forward line as the 26-year-old has been an influential figure for them. Insigne has worked well with Dries Mertens as the duo have formed an effective strike partnership in the forward line.
The Italian’s ability to keep the rival's defense in check with his swift moves has been appreciated by many. Lorenzo Insigne can also run through the rival’s defense with his aggressive runs. The striker has always shown great application when it comes to his clever passes and counter-attacking style of play.
Insigne scored 8 goals in 37 matches with 11 assists to his name in the last season. Insigne has already started his 2018-19 Serie A season with a bang by scoring 6 goals in 8 games. The 26-year-old also scored 3 goals in 5 Champions League games last season. His ability to hold possession of the ball can unsettle any opposition.
# 3 Marek Hamsik
Marek Hamsik didn’t look in the best of form last season. Hamsik was absolutely brilliant in the 2016-17 season when he totally dominated opposition’s defense with his attacking runs, but the Slovakian is still a threat inside the box because of his inch-perfect finishing.
Carlo Ancelotti has said the Slovakian will be a threat to any defense on his day as his finishing abilities can't be undermined when he is on a song. Hamsik scored 7 goals in 38 matches and contributed in 1 assist in the last season.
The 31-year-old has shown his class with some smart passes which have often puzzled the opposition. The midfielder has looked good during aerial duels and also been accurate with his long balls.
His deceptive movements inside the box can catch the opposition’s defense off guard. Hamsik will be eager to prove his worth with some electric performances in the ongoing season. Considered to be a big match player Hamsik will be the core of Napoli’s midfield. Hamsik's coordination with Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne will be crucial for Napoli.
# 4 Jose Callejon
The Spaniard is known for his versatility as Callejon can play as a winger, striker as well as an attacking midfielder. Jose Callejon provides a much-required balance as the 30-year-old can combine well with the midfield line as well as the forward line.
His creative moves can outfox the best defenses which have always been praised by Carlo Ancelotti. The manager has also stated that Callejon remains an integral part of Napoli's forward line and his presence could be instrumental in his side’s success. Callejon netted 10 goals in 38 Serie A matches last season with 15 assists to his name.
Callejon has contributed 3 assists in the ongoing Serie A season. The striker will be a threat because of his precise long balls. The former Real Madrid player can be a real threat because of his ability to create chances with his deceptiveness.
# 5 Piotr Zielinski
The Polish international started his career with Udinese but since his arrival at Napoli the 25-year-old has improved quite well technically and provides depth in this Napoli outfit. The 25-year-old is known for his ability to play as an attacking midfielder and can be influential in the midfield because of his ability to win aerial duels and smart passes.
Ancelotti has said that Zielinski's presence will help his teammates to take their intensity to the next level which could enable them to do well during crunch situations. Piotr Zielinski scored 4 goals in the 2017-18 Serie A season in 36 games with 3 assists to his name.
He also netted 2 goals in the 2017-18 Champions League season. Zielinski’s presence provides fluidity in Napoli’s midfield as the midfielder will hold a very crucial position. Zielinski has also looked confident while creating chances with his clever set pieces.
