Mourinho does have a point. I watched the Milan derby last night, and from a neutral perspective it was even better than a Champions League game. Both teams showed the kind of skill and tenacity it takes to compete for the Scudetto. Napoli has shown lots of heart, but the richest teams in Serie A all have thoroughbreads at every position. After watching our reserves struggle against Bologna, I’m worried our depth will be a factor, especially if we go on a big UEFA Cup run.

Right now our squad is in good shape to qualify directly for the Europa League next year. However, if we can sustain a Champions League spot until January, De Laurentiis might choose to spend big in order to improve the team. There are always rumours linking us with South Americans – the latest two names were River Plate midfielder Diego Buonanotte and 17 year old Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez. Napoli has also been linked with unsettled Real Madrid midfielder Royston Drenthe. This kind of speculation is fun to read but the rumours rarely become reality.

It is more likely Napoli will sign a player like Siena’s Daniele Galloppa. Although foreign players can turn out great – see Lavezzi and Gargano – foreigners are a higher risk proposition. If for whatever reason they don’t work out, you can be stuck with a non EU player whose high wages might be a turn off for other teams. If Italians are a bust, it’s an easier problem to solve.

On the injury front, Lavezzi is healing faster than expected and will likely play some part in Thursday’s epic showdown with Benfica. Iezzo’s broken nose will keep him out of the lineup a bit longer, while Bogliacino is still recovering from a broken ankle.

Finally, much respect to Luigi Vitale, who is now being scouted by Pierluigi Casiraghi for the U-21 Azzurri. I have watched Vitale a lot and you can see him growing into a solid two way player. He’s still young so he’ll continue making some mistakes, but his goal in the first leg against Benfica proved he could be a big game player. The Castellamare di Stabia native has won the starter’s job from Daniele Mannini, and should keep developing.

I’ll be back later with a preview of Napoli’s 2nd leg UEFA Cup showdown in Lisbon.

On to better news, here are the latest tidbits in Napoli’s summer transfer activities:

1. It appears all but official that Palermo defender Leando Rinaudo is a partenopeo. From all accounts my Palermo friends have advised me that the 25 year old is quite the talent and they are rather disappointed to see him leave since many were banking on him replacing the recently departed Andrea Barzagli (who signed with VLF Wolfsburg). Rinuado’s signing likely makes it official that Maurizio Domizzi is a goner. Rinaudo is a native Palermitano and the slender defender tallied 2 goals in 22 games!!

2. I’m not that this tidbit is accurate but nonetheless Goal.com has reported that in early May, Napoli had signed 23 year old Argentinean midfielder Tomas Costa who played with the Rosario Central team this past season. In 16 games, the 6’1” player scored 1 goal. Other Internet sites state that Costa had signed with Porto of the Portuguese league for a transfer fee of 3.2 million euros. Whose right?

3. Rumor has it that Roma and Napoli are very interested in swapping assets in Gennaro Iezzo to the giallorossi in exchange for the seldom used, native Napoletano Mauro Esposito. The 29 year old striker would give us some serious depth in the position but it has been a while since he was a starter and his best years were enjoyed with Cagliari where he spent 6 years as a regular. As for San Gennaro, Roma has made no secrets that they want to beef up the keeper position for the CL run and current keeper Doni does show flaws from time to time that may be related to fatigue and over use. Personally if I were Marino I would do the swap in a heartbeat.
4. There were rumors that Napoli was interested in Atalanta striker Sergio Floccari but he appears destined to sign with Palermo. I think he’s overrated so I can’t say that I am disappointed.
5. Cagliari striker Robert Acquafresca does not appear destined to be wearing the Azzurri colours next year. All repots indicate that Marino has pulled out of the running (if he was ever really in them to begin with).
6. Amidst the rumours of his arrival to his native Napoli, Toto DiNatale in a recent interview stated that although he loves the thought of arriving at the San Paolo playing for the Azzurri, but he doesn’t realistically see the move happening since he loves Udinese and he doesn’t see Marino acquiring him in light of the youth movement currently in place in Napoli. Stay tuned friends as stranger things have happened. Keep the faith!
7. Another rumored swap is between Livorno and Napoli where the Azzurri would give up seldom used defender Erminio Rullo in exchange for 26 year old defender Giovanni Pasquale. Pasquale was a starter for Livorno last season playing in 35 games with no goals (actually he has never tallied at all in his career) but he is more recognized as a solid defender. My take is ah, this is a no brainer!! I am still trying to remember the last time Rullo saw the pitch- I think it was in Serie B sometime after his arrival in January 2007 so to trade up a reserve for a veteran starter in Serie A makes it a sweet deal. I can’t see why Livorno would do it though.
8. I have also done some reading that Napoli have thrown their hat in the ring to acquire Vincenzo Iaquinta since his days at Juventus are numbered now that the bianconeri are close to signing Amauri. I’m not sure how I feel about going after Iaquinta. Maybe I just can’t get DiNatale out of my head.

That’s it for now folks. More rumors to come soon.

MATTEO GIANELLO: 7 Gianello far surpassed my expectations along with everyone else’s when he stepped in for the injured Gennaro Iezzo between January and April, with no previous career Serie A experience to draw from prior to August 2007. Unfortunately for him he happened to be in the lineup when the team were in their funk from mid January to mid March suffering crushing losses at Cagliari, and at home against Empoli but throughout even the rough spots, I don’t remember him surrendering any goal that was solely his fault. I dare say that if Iezzo was not Iezzo, Gianello may have kept his starting job. Truthfully he is no Buffon nor did he single handedly steal any games for us but in my mind, Gianello was our unsung hero and didn’t really receive the credit he deserved from either the fans or media but Marino has by inking him until the 2011 season. I believe Gianello will be the guy to backup Navarro next season.

GENNARO IEZZO: 5.5 Either San Gennaro has lost his quickness and mobility due to war torn 35 year old body or he has never had enough of it to consistently shine at the Serie A level. In short, Iezzo was a disappointment this season. It was obvious to me by November that he was either overmatched for the Serie A game or his best years were behind him. At this point in his career Gennaro will never be a starting keeper in Serie A as he showed minimal mobility and his positioning was just plain awful at times. I do have a sense of loyalty to him for his outstanding 2006/2007 season in Serie B and how can you not love him, he’s a native Napoletano? Unfortunately, I believe the April 27, 2008 game at the San Paolo against Siena was his last with us. Thanks for the memories and we’ll always remember his contributions to our climb to A!

NICOLAS NAVARRO: 6.5 He’s 23 and he’s inexperienced but I give Reja credit in that he didn’t throw him to the wolves when first signed in January but rather had the stones to play Gianello when Iezzo went down. Navarro is proven winner in Argentina as witnessed by the fact that he was part of the Argentina Under-20 squad that won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship title. He looked quite good in his three games but again, three games certainly don’t make a career. I really liked his game against Milan but there were moments when he looked a little overmatched. More to come as it is quite evident that he is the future.

DEFENDERS

PAOLO CANNAVARO: 7 Canna is an easy scapegoat for some of the subpar defending we witnessed this season. I have done it myself but he is so important to us; so much so that we he isn’t clicking our defence looks vulnerable. I would not describe him as spectacular (he is not Fabio), but he is our centre back rock. When he is out or just plain out of it, the team just doesn’t look or feel the same and the results show it. He led the team in minutes played and got himself invited to the National team for a friendly late last year for his efforts. He is still only 27 and I believe he is here to stay for many years.Thank God because I don’t know if there is any other player that we rely on more than Canna at this point.

MATTEO CONTINI: 6 Matteo became a rather important part of our backline as the season wore on, particularly with the injury to Cupi. The 28 year old came over from Parma where he was a regular but he started the season rather slowly and eventually worked himself down the depth chart rather than up it. Consistency was likely his biggest problem. I like his size and his agressiveness but he is known for the odd bone head move as well. It appears that the very things that make him effective sometimes lead to his defensive blunders particularly as it relates to positioning. I believe that he will serve a purpose to us next year but really as a depth player rather than a regular. Iwe have to depend on him too much, I will be worried.

ANDREA CUPI: 7 Prior to his injury and the arrival of Fabiano Santacroce, Cupi was at times our most dependable member of our backline during the first half of the season. I’m not really sure what the future holds for Cupi but he is a good character guy to keep on the team, I just question if his rather fragile frame can handle another year of the rigours of Serie A.

MAURIZIO DOMIZZI: 8 If Canna is our most important player, then Domizzi is just behind. He has done it all for us and he plays with some serious heart. He mixes it up, tackles well and gets in the opponents face (including the refs when it’s needed). He also became our main penalty kicker and had the results to prove it as he buried 8 goals on the season. He is versatile with a powerful left foot and also showed his versatility and talent when Reja started him as a left half back in a handful of games, when some of our midfielders ran into suspension problems. His “stones of steel” are the weapons needed if you are a young team on the verge of greatness. I want him back but from all accounts he won’t return and if so, Marino has big shoes to fill. If Domizzi leaves, his spot cannot be filled by an aged and rickety Cupi or an inconsistent Contini. If Domizzi leaves, only a player like a Vargas can replace him!

FABIANO SANTACROCE: 8.5 Acquiring the 22 year old Santacroce was likely Marino’s smartest move this season as the Brazilian-Italian played impeccably in the right back position. The Italian soccer experts have labelled him as the next Alessandro Nesta and it is matter of time before the National team calls. When Canna was in his mid season slump, Santacroce showed his worth and really made Canna look bad. He was an absolute monster at the Olimpico against Juventus as he the player of the match despite the loss (thanks Iaquinta). The future is bright as Santacroce brings a package of great physical tools but his biggest asset may be his incredible ability to read the game. Marino beat out both Juve and Inter to sign Santacroce from Bescia in January and rumour had it that a deciding factor for Fabiano was his wish to reunite with Marek Hamsik.

ERMINIO RULLO: Unratable. My God, he played four games and I barely remember anything good or bad about him. All I can confidently say is that he is a Serie B player and even then, he hardly played.

MIDFIELDERS

MANUELE BLASI: 7 We all know Blasi was a yellow card machine this past season (17 yellows and 1 red in total) but there is no doubt the midfield was a completely different unit with, versus without him. If I was Marino, I would make arrangements to get complete ownership of his services since he is currently Juventino property, on loan to Napoli. The midfield needs his vast Serie A and international experience and the slaughter suffered in Milan against the rossoneri proved just how much we need him as our team was manhandled in the midfield ball control/defensive game. It was apparent that Savini, Hamsik and Gargano needed Blasi’s experience as they were no match for Ambrosini, Seedorf and Kaka (remember the 5-2 massacre). Manuele does nothing spectacular but he knows the game and in watching him, the key to his success is, he needs to play regularly. He doesn’t have the mental make up to be a sub and as such Blasi can start in my midfield anytime, anywhere.

MAREK HAMSIK: 8 The 21 year old is without a doubt our Pavel Nedved (his idol growing up) or possibly our sub striker (like a DiNatale) and he proved to be worth every single penny of the 5.5 million euro transfer fee DeLa paid to get him out of Brescia. All season long, EPL rumours were rampant that Liverpool and recently Chelsea and Man U were after him and willing to pay whatever price it took (rumours even had Marek going to Juve at one point). He led Napoli with 9 goals this year and I’m guessing if he played in the EPL that would translate into 15 or 16. Not to worry Napoli fans, he isn’t going anywhere as he is signed until 2012 and Marino has promised us, there is no way anyone’s getting this guy. This guy is just pure talent and his potential is down right scary- both offensively and defensively! I love his fiestiness and how can anyone forget that great scream he gave in the 4-4 Roma game in protest to the ref? He showed us his talent right away in his first game against Cesena but he blew me away with his September San Paolo goal against Sampdoria. He is definetly a corner stone of our future!

WALTER GARGANO: 7 The 24 year old Uruguyan proved to be worth the entire 2 million euro transfer fee paid by DeLa to Danubio FC. He only scored two goals but who could forget the goal against Roma at the Olimpico? The diminutive centre was a joy to watch as I don’t believe he is the most talented player on the team (and I am not saying he has the potential to be the next Pirlo or DeRossi) but he is a savvy and an “in your face” type player. Who could forget the scraps in Parma where Gargano was front and centre? Walter is definelty a part of our future and both he and Hamsik will be a part of our midfield for the next 5– 10 years. You can’t go wrong having guys with Gargano’s character on your side. Gracias Walter!

MIRKO SAVINI: 4.5 Savini is not a Serie A player, plain and simple. He had some experience with Fiorentina in the top flight league in previous seasons, but the left side of the Napoli midfield was exposed in too many games to count with Savini on guard. God love Mirko, he tries but he just doesn’t have the tools to keep up with other Serie A midfielders. Remember that Savini is a natural defender used as a midfielder by Reja, in a 3-5-2 formation that sometimes looks like a 5-3-2. Maybe that’s why Reja loves him so much. Well I don’t. He is slow footed , clumsy and turns the ball over far too much. It was painful to watch Mirko this past year. Enough, please! If we’re serious about a guaranteed UEFA Cup spot next season, the left half back position area needs drastic upgrading.

GYORGY GARICS: 5.5 Garics is slightly easier to watch than Savini but he is also a natural defender used a midfielder in Reja’s farce of a 3-5-2. The Hungarian does some things well but he just can’t hack it against the Serie A midfielders. I was amazed how much playing time Savini and Garics still received even after Marino went out and got the talented Mannini and Pazienza. Garics is a good, solid Serie B player. Plain and simple.

MARIANO BOGLIACINO: 6.5 The Uruguyan showed his versatility by starting a handul of games at the striker position and even scored the winning goal at Parma in that role (that’s why he got the extra 0.5). He is a solid midfielder and good team guy to keep as depth and surprisingly showed me that can certainly play with the big boys in Serie A.

MICHELE PAZIENZA: 5.5 Marino acquired Pazienza for the hefty 4.8 million euro transfer fee and signed him to a three year contract. Truthfully he needs to show us a little more, to justify the investment. He has some proven Serie A experience to draw from (Udinese and Fiorentina) but I suspect he failed to live up to his potential in those places as well and that’s why he was let go. I am interested in seeing him over an entire season and from all accounts he is a gifted passer who reads the play well and at 26, time is still on his side.

DANIELE MANNINI: 6 Mannini showed me some flashes of brilliance and he quite possibly delivered the best pass of the season to Lavezzi in the 2-0 win over Fiorentina. He is rather composed with great offensive skills but his defensive game needs a little more polishing. He is young at 25 and if I was running the team I would grant him a starting spot next season as I believe playing along side of Blasi at the right half back position will find his game continuing to develop.

GIANLUCA GRAVA: 4.5 Gianluca is a solid Serie B player. Simple, end of story!

FRANCESCO MONTERVINO: 5 Maybe this grade is too high but he is our ex captain and he was one of our heart and soul guys that allowed us to rise from the depths of C1, so I’ve got a soft spot for him. Maybe that’s why Reja played him in 9 games this season since he likely feels indebt to the 30 year old since he has been a loyal servant since the beginning of this resurgence. Despite that he doesn’t have the talent to regularly compete in Serie A, his heart and tenacity is to be admired. I would love to keep him around for another year. He is a good heart and soul guy, a good teammate and every team needs a couple of these.

SAMUELE DALLA BONA: How can I give him a rating? He played in two games in the first part of the year and played in the three Coppa Italia games. In my mind his ball control and passing talents are wasted along with his 750,000 euro salary and I could never quite understand why he didn’t play when the likes of Savini and Garics were proven midfield liabilities. Dalla Bona has proven Serie A experience with Lecce, Sampdoria and Milan plus EPL experience with Chelsea plus has Champions League experience. Why he is in Reja’s doghouse escapes me but he was the highest paid player on the team. Money and talent down the pisser!!

MARCO CAPPARELLA: No rating. Truthfully, I don’t even remember him playing in any games and the last time I saw him play was in 2006. Stats say he played in 2 games. Which ones?

FORWARDS:

EMMANUELE CALAIO: 5 To describe Calaio’s season, I draw the analogy to the chicken and the egg question. Did Calaio under perform this season because Reja had no faith in him, or did Reja have no faith in him because he underperformed? When Napoli acquired El Panteron in July, everyone knew that Calaio’s time would be diminished but no one could have suspected by just how much. Soon Calaio became a regular sub usually in the 75th minute on and soon it became apparent that Calaio and Napoli were not long for one another. Much to everyone’s surprise, Calaio remained with the team through the January transfers and it looked like his season was about to turn around with the road win at Livorno. Then when Zalayeta was injured one would’ve thought that the Arciere we grew to love would be back. Unfortunately he wasn’t. Simply, Emanuele didn’t capitalize and he had his chances. Sure he had some bad luck along the way, but by the end of the year Bogliacino and Sosa were starting instead of him and really it appeared as if his confidence was permanently shaken, as he ended the season with 2 tallies in 26 games (both in the same game). With Reja inked for another year, I think we have seen the last of the Palermitano in our lineup as this strained relationship and Calaio’s shattered spirit cannot handle another year at the San Paolo.

ROBERTO CARLOS SOSA: 6 Pampa did what was asked of him and despite his age he scored some timely goals for us, none bigger than the winner against Livorno in September. The 33 year old finished up the season with 6 goals in 30 games and truthfully, he exhibited way more chemistry playing alongside of Lavezzi than Calaio did particularly during Zalayeta’s absence. He was not the most skilled or talented player but he used his size, aggression and had a knack for being at the right place at the right time. Back when he came to us in 2004, it was the first big signing of the new era and he was really a cornerstone of our team for two solid years from the Serie C1 to Serie B days. Ciao Pampa and thanks for the memories!

EZEQUIEL IVAN LAVEZZI: 8.5 Dubbed, unfairly as the new Maradona prior to his arrival in the summer transfer, this guy proved he was as good as all the hype and is just destined to get better. We all got a taste of what was to come when he scored three in the Coppa Italia match against Pisa in the 3-1 win. He made us believe it was for real with the goal against Udinese on a blistering kick and soon after people began proclaiming that “Napoli’s new star was born”. Rather diminutive in size at 5’8” but he is all energy and plays all out. The hi-light reel is too long to describe in words so check out the video clip. I would’ve given him a 9 but he did take a little time to adjust. He is 23 and is destined for great things ut let’s stop the comparison to Diego Armando; there can only ever be one of those. Lavezzi is signed until 2013 and there is no chance of him going anywhere before then.

MARCELO ZALAYETA: 6 The 30 year old Zelayeta set a personal best this past season with 8 goals in 22 matches but despite the tallies, the tall Uruguayan really had stretches throughout the season where he appeared invisible. He would score in bunches and when the team really needed a goal he was usually no where to be found. I do believe his most memorable moments were the goal that beat Inter , the performance against Catania (my favourite call of the season- morpheus) and who could forget the big goal against Roma in the 4-4 draw. Zalayeta will be back but it is hoped that not as a starter and his 6’2” frame can be better utilized off the bench as Juventus used to. Despite the starting job, he proved to be consistently inconsistent. Part of me wanted to give him a lower score but he was tied for our top scorer despite missing 15 matches so a 6 may in fact be too low. I guess I just never really fell in love with his game at all despite the 8 goals.

That’s my take and you all know my feelings on Reja. I would give him between a 5.5 and a 6. I love both Marino and DeLa and love what they are doing for us and restoring the hope and faith. Next season I fully expect to have Napoli in the fifth or sixth spot and guaranteed a UEFA Cup spot.

Feel free to add or question or disagree with anything in my analysis.