Cannavaro on three Napoli players Spalletti ‘would’ve torn to shreds’ | OneFootball

Fabio Cannavaro opened up about the chaos at Napoli this season and explained the important and lacking influence of Luciano Spalletti at the club.

The Partenopei have hardly looked a shade of the side that electrified Serie A last season, failing to match that level following the departures of coach Spalletti and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. Three coaches have been in the dugout this term – Rudi Garcia, Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona.

Napoli have already started gearing up for next season, with their first objective being to appoint a new long-term coach. Aurelio De Laurentiis’ favourite appears to be Antonio Conte, and Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano is also another strong candidate.

Cannavaro criticises Napoli

Speaking to Il Mattino via Calciomercato.com, Cannavaro first discussed the importance of Spalletti in the dressing room and the weight of his exit at Napoli.

“In his two years at Napoli, we shared ideas but seeing him speak to the Italy squad between the match against Venezuela and the one against Ecuador, seeing how he called various players to greater commitment, the terms and tones used to motivate the Azzurri, made me understand even more the feat he accomplished at Napoli.”

He gave a specific example of Spalletti’s work in the dressing room, pointing to their 3-0 loss at home to Atalanta recently.

“I imagine what would have happened when training resumed with Traore, Anguissa and Raspadori for the mistakes made on Atalanta’s first goal last Saturday.

“They were immobile, dazed, spectators while four Atalanta players occupied the area. He would have torn them to pieces. And I have to say, he’s right, I see a lot of Marcello Lippi in his way of doing things.”

Finally, Cannavaro hit out at Napoli for their handling of the Piotr Zielinski situation.

“I can’t stand how they treated Zielinski who already, poor thing, seems like someone who had nothing to do with it.

“Someone who gave his soul for eight years, why shouldn’t he cry out for help? We’re close to having to escape from Napoli at night, almost secretly.”