Edinson Cavani has undoubtedly had a great first season with Napoli after joining from Palermo. His 33 goals and numerous displays of world class football propelled a mediocre Italian side into 3rd place in Serie A, and a subsequent Champions League spot. It comes as no surprise that he has attracted attention from Europe’s biggest clubs.
After Manchester United reportedly made enquiries over the availability of Cavani a couple of days ago, Napoli promptly put a price tag of 100million Euros above his head. However, I wonder what would happen if a big club were to make a serious offer around the £40 – £50 million range. I’m a little surprised someone hasn’t tabled some sort of official offer already, even if its just to test the waters. But Napoli and the adoring fans are understandably keen to keep hold of their top striker in their escapades into the Champions League next season.
I think for Cavani it is important that he remains at the club for at least the foreseeable future. He needs a good improving squad that are ambitious and have talented players who are willing to push them to the next level. At Napoli I think that is what they have. Edinson has a real opportunity to further shine as a stand-out player in European football, without being overshadowed by team mates or even other players in the division.
In their first season in the Champions League, the gauntlet has been thrown down for Cavani and his team mates to prove that Napoli are a formidable force in Europe and are here to stay in the big competitions. Alongside players like Hamsik, Lavezzi and now possibly Gokhan Inler, you can see the attraction of staying with a team of talented players who still perhaps haven’t reached their full potential but play quality football.
No-one could blame Cavani for being tempted by the lure of football overseas in a division such as the Premier League for a top side, but I don’t think this would benefit his game right now. The momentum he has gained from just one memorable season in Serie A is remarkable and there is no reason why he can’t continue this into the next campaign with more goals and higher ambitions. A move to a bigger club now has the potential to disrupt his habit of goal-scoring that he has become accustomed to under the Napoli style. The Italian League and the style of football seems to suit Edinson, where he can get behind defences and be on the end of carefully picked out passes from team mates like Lavezzi with whom he seems to have built up good understanding. The Premier League for example is not only arguably more physical, but often requires the strikers to win more competitive battles with defenders and overcome deep-lying defensive midfielders who will not let him play as freely.
Considering the fact that Napoli will take to the stage of Europe’s top club competition next season and look good contenders for another strong Serie A campaign, I don’t see why Cavani would move away from his club at which he enjoyed much success in his first season. Of course there could be the draw of financial benefits with a big contract and bumper pay packets, but at this stage of his career I hope he can see that he has everything he needs at Napoli who deserve to have his loyalty for the coming seasons.
It seems like the perfect base to prove that he can be a pivotal influence in greatly improving the fortunes of a team through his ability and goalscoring prowess. If he wants to, Edinson could become a fan favourite for years to come in an exciting time with the Azzurri in Naples. But for the time being, he needs to see this challenge through and stay loyal to the club that are trying to protect him from the onlooking cash-splashers of Europe.
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