Napoli's strong start to the Serie A season hit an unexpected roadblock this past weekend. The Campania-based club crashed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of this season's surprise package Sassuolo. Goals scored by Manuel Locatelli and Maxime Lopez ensured that Gennaro Gattuso's team would not finish with any points to show for their efforts.
This has become a familiar story for Napoli: their team once again appears better on paper than it actually is on the field. It has seemed as though for years now, they have been a step away from making a breakthrough but never actually do so. Already, it appears as that may again be the case this season. They are clearly behind Juventus, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and AC Milan in the current pecking order in Italy. If Sassuolo continue their form throughout the season, it is going to be very difficult for Napoli to make next seasons Champions League.
There were certainly questions about Napoli heading into this season. Last season, they finished seventh in the league. This was their worst league finish since 2009 when they were eighth. They accumulated just 62 points in the league; their lowest tally in eight years. On top of that, they were also knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage. That being said, Napoli also did pick up some silverware by winning the Coppa Italia.
Napoli's future remains somewhat unclear. This is especially so after losing midfielder Allan to Everton for €25 million during the past off-season. They did replace him by picking up Tiémoué Bakayoko on loan; however, despite this fact, Bakayoko's impact on this team is yet to be truly determined. Unless Napoli make some moves in January, this could end up being their worst season in years.
It is somewhat surprising that over the past decade, Napoli have never made a true breakthrough. Despite the immense talent which has sometimes graced their squad, they have not won a league title during this span. Even more damningly, they have not even made it to the Champions League quarterfinals even once. Not even the likes of Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuaín, Dries Mertens, Marek Hamsík could turn Napoli into a true force at the highest level.
However, it isn't all bad news at the Stadio San Paolo. Despite the problems they currently face, they should be able to at least make a top-four push. A team with a core containing Mertens, Hirving Lozano, Kostas Manolas, and captain Lorenzo Insigne can never be truly overlooked. Gattuso, meanwhile, has another year of coaching experience under his belt; for all we know, this might be the year in which he really begins to figure it out. It must also be remembered that prior to the Sassuolo match, Napoli had won four of their first five Serie A matches. If those wins represent their true level this season, their fans have reason to be optimistic.
One step which Napoli could take which would undoubtedly improve their prospects for the rest of the season would be signing a new starting central midfielder during the next transfer window. A midfield with the likes of Fabián Ruiz, Diego Demme, and Bakayoko, while decent, clearly lacks the punch that those of Napoli's Serie A rivals have.
Napoli should also consider adding a new, younger winger who will someday be Mertens' replacement. The Belgian is now 33 years old and thus does not have many years left. Signing Victor Osimhen from Lille was therefore a good move in this area. That said, Napoli can definitely afford to get a little younger, especially if Osimhen ends up not panning out.
If this season ends up being a wash for Napoli, they might even have to take another look at whether Gattuso really is the coach for them going forward. In his coaching career, Gattuso has shown an ability to raise a team's floor. However, he has not shown that he can really team a good, above-average team into an upper-level one, let alone an elite one. Another season in which Napoli fail to make the top four could spell the end of Gattuso's tenure.
Napoli are truly at a crossroads right now. They have many decisions to make. If they choose wisely, they could soon be once again among Italy's top clubs. Get it wrong, however, and the road back will be long and arduous.
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