They’re making a list and checking it twice (midfield)

By: Joe | June 19th, 2007

Napoli took another step towarding reinforcing the squad for a successful return to Serie A. The club worked out an arrangement with Sampdoria to purchase Roman defender Maurizio Domizzi and extend his contract through 2011. He was a rock this year and worked well within Reja’s “launch the long balls from the back and hope to knock it down in the box” approach. I hate the style of play as it’s hockey’s version of “dump and chase,” but against many Serie B sides this year it did serve Napoli well. Let’s hope we now do more than just resign our own guys.

Onto the silly season rumours, which by the way officially runs from July 2 to August 31. The squad have stated their desire to add at least two midfielders. De Laurentis has said Napoli must target players who can come in right away and make an immediate impact. Marino stated he’d go after players between 24 and 28 year old who have experience and quality. So any signing of a promising 17-year old from Sorrento should not be confused with a legitimate attempt to get this team into the top 10 of Serie A next season. The young players will need to step up (Garics, Rullo & Gatti), the veterans will have to guard against the ravages of time (Sosa, Grava & Iezzo) and we need a dose of quality. The good news is Napoli was able to secure promotion while allowing some youngsters valuable minutes. Garics and Rullo (both 23) played crucial minutes toward the end of the season and the squad didn’t miss a beat during crucial matches. Fabio Gatti improved as the season wen on and became a regular fixture as a defensive midfielder.

Let’s look at some potential targets:

Gli centrocampisti

Walter Gargano - According to some reports, the 23-year old Uruguayan is all but signed. Anyone remember when Marino said the same thing about getting Lupoli from Arsenal before he went and signed with Fiorentina? Gargano’s club, FC Danubio, has set a 3 million euro price tag on the Uruguayan international. Gargano’s club is currently in first place and he’s been fixture in their starting XI. Gargano comes with a boatload of experience. He’s been in Uruguay’s national side consistently as of late and will feature for them as the team goes for its 15th Copa America title when the tournament kicks off in two weeks. Gargano was with Danubio when they won the title in 2004, he’s played in the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa Libertadores. Reports on Gargano state he is able to maintain possession well in tight places and has a great work rate. I just wish the guy weren’t so damn short (5′6″). I don’t know what it is about Napoli but we seem enamored with the little man. This guy is the real deal. He comes highly recommmended by Bogliacino who played with him when they were coming up through the youth academy.

chicks dig the soul patch

Fabio Caserta - The 28-year old midfielder has worked his way up from Serie D side Locri to Italian’s top flight in six years. The Catania player has appeared in 30+ matches for the Sicilian side in the last three years. Like most players Napoli chase after, he’s waxed poetic about the prospects of playing at San Paolo. All the smoke being blown up our collective asses from the players is enough to make me gag as we know it always comes down to what the club will accept in transfer payment and what the player will accept for playing terms. Still, it is better than hearing “Napoli? You’ll have to pay me double to live in that hellhole!” Caserta can play a number of positions around in the midfield and even push up as a forward. He distributes the ball well and maintains his nerve when in the box or when pressed by defenders. He’s been a fan favorite at the Stadio Angelo Massimino (when they aren’t playing behind closed doors) due to his work rate and his press interviews. Napoli will have to battle with Torino who have also shown interest and are looking to rebound from a disappointing season that saw them just barely stave of relegation.

Francesco Lodi

Francesco Lodi - Rumours of Napoli’s interest in Lodi go back at least two years now. The Empoli-owned midfielder had a breakthrough season this past year while on loan to Frosinone. Lodi led all midfielders with 11 goals (one PK) and took the majority of Frosinone’s corners and free kicks near the area. Empoli won’t let him go cheaply as they’ll need a deeper squad next year with EUFA Cup games in their future and you’d have to consider the 23-year old Lodi to be a player capable of at least coming off the bench. He’s been a professional footballer with Empoli since he was 15 years old and is a bit of an anomoly. Most young Italian footballers start out on loan to a Serie C or Serie D squad and after they’ve plied their trade in the lower divisions for a few years, then they’ll get called up to their senior club. Lodi has remained with Empoli since 1999 only leaving to join Vicenza for a brief spell in 2003 (11 games) and getting time with Empoli in 2004 and 2005, before being sent out on loan to Frosinone. Lodi is nearly 6 foot tall (gasp!) and was really one of the few offensive bright lights for Frosinone. Lodi is a terror on the FIFA ‘07 game as well. He’s a playmaker who can be beaten by pace but his offensive skills definitely outweigh any defensive shortcomings.

Voglio retornare a Napoli!

Antonio Nocerino - Again another Napoletano who has starred for Casiraghi’s U-21 Azzurrini and had a hell of a year while on loan to Piacenza. Juventus own Nocerino’s rights and may be willing to send him out on loan again this year as I don’t see any room on their roster for another midfielder. The 21-year old midfielder started playing professionally when he made a whopping 34 appearences for Avellino (on loan) during the 2003-04 season. Until this season, Nocerino had yet to score a professional goal. He made an impressive goal scoring debut by scoring a wonder-goal against his beloved home town Napoli in Giornata 2 and refused to celebrate. It was quite a sight and something that I can’t remember ever happening in American sports. American athletes typically give the “it’s nice to be back” speech when they return
to play against their hometown team, but I’ve never known any American athlete to not celebrate when they hit a home run or score a touchdown or bag a skank on Rush St.
I saw the 5′9″ 163lbs wonderkid dominate the pitch at times this year. On match against a 10-man Bologna squad, Nocerino made runs up and down the field and consistently won the ball. He had a couple threatening shots before breaking the deadlock and getting a deserved goal in the 69th minute. Nocerino plays with a heart and determination that belies his small frame, though given the current players we’re targeting he’s a regular Wilt Chamberlain. He’s a
ball-winner, is obviously well liked by his teammates, and plays with a smile on his face.
Aurelio De Laurentis has publicly stated he’d love to have a Napoli squad filled exclusively with Napoletani. I’m not sure that’s the wisest long term strategy but he’d sure beat the pants off seeing Grava on the pitch, whose only purpose it appears is to lose the ball in midfield and get Edy Reja an espresso. As with all Napoletani, Nocerino has publicly stated it’s his dream to play for Napoli but until that day he’s going to give his all for his squad. Any chance Juventus would be willing to take him for Inacio Pia and a nice bottle of Grappa?