Napoli Continue Premier League Raid - Why Are They Looking There?
Blogs

Napoli Continue Premier League Raid - Why Are They Looking There?

Napoli Continue Premier League Raid: Why Are They Looking There?

A lot of Napoli’s Serie A success story last term boiled down to their superb recruitment in the summer prior. Ironically, the majority of their newcomers were swiped from unexpected areas.

Some of their standout arrivals included two Scottish internationals in Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, as the pair traded the Premier League for an authentic Italian lifestyle – rich with culture, history and an adored cuisine.

It is fair to say that both Scotsmen have set the world alight in Naples, after spurring the club onto a fourth league title last term. This summer, Napoli are sticking by the same principles, as they pursue another raid of the Premier League to recruit from the same talent factory that worked so much magic for them.

With one marquee signing already equipped, the Blues have paved out an important transfer window ahead of them on their mission to retain their title winning status.

Kevin De Bruyne

When Kevin De Bruyne announced his poignant departure from Manchester City back in April, many were left curious as to where the Belgian would end up.

That inquisition has now concluded, and it was not many’s likely candidate. With talks of him heading to Barcelona or hopping over the pond to Chicago Fire, the unexpected outcome was in the hands of Napoli. Just two weeks into the summer months, the Italian side are already starting to replicate last year’s monumental business, by bringing in an all-time Premier League great.

Although his numbers dropped off last term, at 33 years old De Bruyne still has a lot left to give for this promising Napoli side. Especially considering he will be combining with many players who have played in similar settings to him over the last decade. Romelu Lukaku is the prime example; international teammate of De Bruyne, who has played abundantly in the English top flight.

Who Next?

With Kevin De Bruyne ticked off the list, the Blues may be pursuing another Manchester City treble winner. £100 million man Jack Grealish has supposedly been eyed up by the club, with a potential transfer that would send out shockwaves across both the Premier League and the Serie A.

There is no doubt that Grealish’s anticipated move to City from his childhood club Aston Villa has not exactly materialised how he would have liked over the four years. The Englishman is one of City’s highest earners, yet only managed to make seven Premier league starts last season and has just been abandoned from their Club World Cup squad.

Many would agree that is is certainly time for Birmingham-born attacker to venture out, but finding somewhere that will pay his immense wages is the issue. He would be a player desperate for rejuvenation with the Italian champions, however, Grealish is also a huge gamble for a club needing to spend their money in the right areas ahead of their Champions League return.

The Premier League invasion does not stop there either; all three of Jason Sancho, Darwin Nunez and Callum Hudson-Odoi are linked with Napoli likewise. Similarly to Scott McTominay and Jack Grealish in this case, both Nunez and Sancho are two more players who are in need of a renaissance. Since their jumps to the Premier League emerged, neither have really hit the ground running, and a move to Italy seems to be the trending revitalisation spot at the minute.

As for Hudson-Odoi, the winger has already found his club of salvation, performing outstandingly with Nottingham Forest across two seasons with the East Midlands outfit, following a bargain departure from boyhood club Chelsea to the tune of around £4m.

The Englishman has helped bring back European football to the River Trent this season, aiding the club to a finish in the Europa Conference League spots. However, a move to Napoli could see him bolster his career by following the Serie A footsteps of fellow Cobham academy graduates Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham, and former senior Chelsea teammates Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku.

Why Are Napoli Recruiting From England?

The last handful of years has seen many young Premier League talents fly their football overseas to Italy. Chelsea, in particular, have offloaded some of their unused artistry over to the Serie A – Joao Felix, Pulisic and both Abraham and Tomori, as mentioned previously. All four of these players went to AC Milan – a club who have targeted the English first tier for many years - and some of them have extremely succeeded.

It seems that Napoli have copied their trade, with it working even better for them. A huge reason for this maybe due to their manager Antonio Conte. Despite being Italian himself, he is a man with a plethora of expertise and experience in the English leagues. Conte has managed both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the last decade, knowing exactly the calibre of player the Premier League holds and what they are suited to.

Ultimately this would have altered Napoli’s recruitment strategy, bringing in familiar territory for the Premier League winning manager. Furthermore, after seeing how well last season’s transfers performed out in Naples, the club would be foolish not to repeat the same handiwork.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Tom Booth

Content Writer

Videos
See more
From Non-League to the AFCON Final - The Story of Kwesi Appiah
Listen to our full podcast with Kwesi Appiah as he discusses his sensational rise from non-league all the way to starting in the AFCON final.
Is it time for Luton Town to make THE DECISION?!
Watch out latest edition of EFL Hot Takes as the lads give their opinion on the Rob Edwards situation at Luton Town.
WHO is in our Championship TEAM OF THE SEASON so far?!
Find out how we would put in our Championship Team of the Season so far on YouTube as we approach the busy period.

Join our newsletter

Become a part of our community and never miss an update from Football Park.