Lavezzi Injured and More Rumours

By: Neil | March 30th, 2009

Napoli and Argentina striker Ezequiel Lavezzi will miss Argentina’s WC Qualifier against Bolivia on Tuesday with a muscular contraction on his left bicep. Lavezzi left for international duty completely healthy and was an unused substitute in Argentina’s 4-0 win over Venezuela. I don’t think this is a serious injury, and he should be ready to go for Napoli on the weekend.

On the Fabio Cannavaro front, it appears that clubs aren’t willing to pay top dollar for a 35 year old who had a major injury in the last year. His contract expires in about two months, and he is having trouble finding a new club for the dollar amount he is seeking. I’m a little bothered by the whole situation. He’s repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Napoli before his career ends. Then why not accept a salary that’s within the club’s wage structure? If not Napoli, where else in Italy can he go? I hope he doesn’t end up in the Middle East or East Asia just for one more big payday. He deserves another shot at the Champions League, but given how difficult it is to win he might have run out of time unless he accepts a supporting role. OK, now I’m reading that Tottenham Hotspurs are interested in Cannavaro. Even if they underachieve, Spurs are still a good club – I think Redknapp is currently the best English manager – but they’re not going to win the Champions League anytime soon.

Napoli is also linked with Valencia midfielder Ever Banega, who is on loan at Atletico Madrid. Reports indicate that Valencia is in a bad financial situation and will be forced to sell some of their assets.

Old rumours are being revived as Racing Santander striker Nikola Zigic and Siena midfielder Daniele Galloppa are also being tracked. Of all the names mentioned since Donadoni took over, Galloppa is the player I think is most likely going to arrive. He fits in with Napoli’s transfer policy of buying younger, up and coming players from smaller teams.

Finally, Donadoni has been pushing the team to show its quality in the nine remaining matches this season. I like how he says there are the best conditions to work under at Napoli. It may be an exaggeration, but at least the Don seems settled in to his new job and likes the long term possibilities. Here is the Italian version of the same story.

Wait, one more thing: Luigi Sepe has been called into the Italy U-19 team Imagine having Marchetti and Sepe on our roster for next year. Eventually one of them would have to be sold. But I’m just dreaming.