A new Napoletano?

By: Joe | July 10th, 2007

There’s a good deal of smoke and talk about Napoli picking up Juventus and Azzurrini midfielder Antonio Nocerino. Nocerino and Juventus will meet this evening. Talk is Nocerino will ask Juve to allow him to come to his hometown Napoli (born in San Lucia). De Laurentis seems confident he’ll get his man. The Napoli President went so far as to say “He’ll come play with us. We’re happy to have him in our squad. He’s not only good and young, but he also has one other quality: he’s Napoletano.” There are no guarantees in the silly season, but those seem pretty confident words and De Laurentis hasn’t strayed off the mark too often in his time with Napoli.

Rumours were flying around that Udinese and Fiorentina are also in on the chase to bring the young Napoletano into their sides. Nocerino has nixed Udinese and claims Napoli is the only other location for him . Nocerino has already said that “If I’m not a part of the plan [for Juventus], sell me to Napoli.” It’s unlikely Juventus will find a spot for the talented midfielder and they seem determined to either send him off on loan or sell him outright.

The scenario may be complicated by Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi. Both
players are making noises that they’ll either retire (Nedved) or seek to ply their trade elsewhere (Camo) if they don’t get more lira from the Old Lady. While I feel no love for Juventus it must be frustrating to hear these two keep whining about one thing or another. Nedved threatened to retire earlier this year when he received a five-match ban and Camoranesi? Guh, really why get into it? These two knuckleheads better not piss on my Nocerino parade.

I’ve previously professed my love for Nocerino. He’s a demon with his work rate and hustle. It’s unlikely Italy would have secured a spot in the 2008 Olympics if it weren’t for his exploits against Portugal. Nocerino is an absolute beast and getting better. Here’s hoping the Old Lady don’t know what they have in front of them.

Update: Then again, maybe not. No sooner do I post the above, step away from the computer to get some work done and cut the grass and blahblahblah. I’m greeted with news that Fiorentina swooped in and grabbed Nocerino right from under Napoli’s nose. Once again Marino is outfoxed by the Viola and now has to eat crow.

The wheels started to turn here when Juventus released their list of players who were going to pre-season training (a bit early isn’t it?). Nocerino wasn’t on the list and the next thing you know Sky Sports’ Gianluca Di Marzio announced the dramatic turn of events with Nocerino going to Fiorentina for 4 millione euro. 4 million euro?!?!? To get a player who was creaming to play at San Paolo and you let him slip between your fingers? Unforgiveable.

During the winter break Pier Paolo Marino guaranteed Arsenal starlet and Azzurrini striker was “all but signed.” Shortly thereafter, Fiorentina’s Pantaleo Corino pantses Marino and picks him up. Lupoli was another Napoletano who was talking openly about how great it would be to play in his home town. I’d say it makes me want to hate Fiorentina but the blame has to lie with Marino. Twice in seven months he’s been thisclose to signing a young hometown boy and twice there’s nothing to show for it.

Time to break out lots and lots of this:

if you drink the entire bottle and squint really hard you can still picture nocerino in napoli blue