Napoli: La Gazzetta slams €100m transfer flop from Lang to Lucca | OneFootball

La Gazzetta dello Sport today dedicates an extensive analysis to Napoli's market, harshly criticizing the results of the new signings and the management of financial resources.

Napoli, the pink paper criticizes the Neapolitan market: “From Lang to Lucca, 100 million that don't pay off”

According to the newspaper, the main investments of the Neapolitan club are not providing the expected contribution, leaving many questions open about the summer strategy of the management.

Lucca and Beukema under scrutiny

Among the names targeted by criticism are Lorenzo Lucca and Sam Beukema, two of the most expensive players from the latest transfer campaign.

“But when will Lucca manage to be a 35 million euro striker, as per (over)valuation?” reads the Gazzetta.

The Italian striker, who arrived with high expectations, is still struggling to establish himself as a stable offensive reference.

The same goes for Beukema, a Dutch defender paid 32 million euros:

“Beukema, the defender who cost 32 million and was wanted almost as if there were no tomorrow, will he eventually become ‘central’ in the broadest sense of the term?”

A double question that reflects the general dissatisfaction with a performance below expectations.

Lang and Elmas: declining performance and tactical uncertainties

The newspaper's analysis continues with two other emblematic cases: Noa Lang and Eljif Elmas.

“Will there be another for Lang, or should the learning period – included in the 25 million euros – be considered semi-annual?”

Lang, who arrived to bring quality and unpredictability to the offensive department, has not yet made the expected impact.

It’s not better for Elmas, whose contribution has significantly declined compared to the Spalletti era:

“Where is that Elmas who, with Spalletti, systematically coming off the bench, knew how to solve even the most treacherous matches?”

An investment of 100 million still without answers

Overall, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the four main signings of Napoli – Lucca, Beukema, Lang, and Elmas – represent a total investment of about 100 million euros, a figure that currently does not reflect in the results on the field.

A severe analysis that questions the team's building strategy, now called to reverse course and enhance the investments to become competitive on all fronts again.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.