Lorenzo Insigne (SSC Napoli) - This one is a no-brainer. Insigne, 21 years old and born in Napoli, plays as an attacking midfielder/withdrawn forward. The diminutive attacker set Serie B on fire this season playing for Pescara, scoring 18 goals during the squad's title-winning campaign. Insigne's speed is impressive and he changes direction very quickly making him very difficult to mark 1-on-1 for defenders. His ball control skills are excellent. His finishing is consistently clinical and his passing and link-up play are refined. Insigne, at times, can look like a mini-Lavezzi on the pitch and would come in quite handy if El Pocho decides to leave the San Paolo this summer. What makes this a no-brainer you ask? Napoli already own Insigne's playing rights, but have chosen to loan him out to Serie B sides over recent seasons. Bigon needs to bring Insigne home this summer; Napoli needs the attacking depth and Insigne must continue to develop facing top-class competition.
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Aly Cissokho (Olympique Lyonnais) - Napoli desperately needed a naturally left-sided version of Christian Maggio last season. They might get that and more if they can prize Cissokho away from Lyon. The 24 year-old French international left back is an explosive athlete, with plenty of speed, strength and stamina to spare. He will need all 3 attributes to be a successful left midfielder/left wingback in Mazzarri's 3-4-2-1 system, in which providing attacking support when in possession is just as crucial as dropping into defense to turn the back 3 into a back 4 when the squad loses the ball. His athleticism allows him to make long, purposeful runs down the flank, forcing opposing right backs to stay at home. His crossing looks like it needs a little polishing, but I can live with that. Cissokho plays good, positional defense and uses his long legs to make some impressive tackles. He closes gaps quickly, blocking crosses and shots wells. He's an all-around great player and, if he adjusts to the Italian game, would be an excellent fit for Napoli. De Laurentiis, sign him up!
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Dedé (CR Vasco da Gama) - Paolo Cannavaro can't play forever, and in the meantime Napoli's back 3 need all the help they can get. Dedé, the 23 year-old Brazilian international center back, has all the physical and mental tools to be a successful Serie A defender. He has truly impressive size and strength, and he somehow manages to maintain good pace for such a big man. He jumps well and he has excellent reflexes. He commands the penalty area on set pieces, on both offense and defense; a weakness, which Napoli's opponents repeatedly exposed last season. Tactically, he reads the game well and, more often than not, he puts himself in the correct spots to break up opposition attacks before they become dangerous. When he does make a mistake, his athleticism usually bails him out; something that will not happen with the same regularity against Serie A's more talented (on average) attackers. At 23 years-old, he is an excellent young defender with great potential for development and time to master the tactical side of being a truly world class center back. I'm really hoping against hope that Napoli snap him up before one of the bigger clubs does.FORZA NAPOLI!!!
-Mike
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