SSC Napoli: The Frimpong Fantasy

Despite only just splashing out £39 million for the Barcelona players, Napoli have signed yet another two players, for a fee totalling £23 million, with only one player expected to make a big impact to the squad this season, but with the other a definite possible star in the future, and could be a steal for this price.

Yohan Cabaye is the next big-name star to join SSC Napoli. Frimpong announced he in fact had no intention of signing a central midfielder, but when he saw Newcastle United have transfer listed the Frenchman, he couldn't turn down putting in a bid, which was soon accepted, beating off competition from English clubs Manchester City and Manchester United, becoming something of a transfer coup. Cabaye ended up costing £20 million, but early sings from fans suggest they are more than happy paying this price for a player in a position already solid.

Cabaye signed for Newcastle United just one season before, from LOSC LILLE, and for a fee of just £4.3 million. However, 34 games and 4 goals later, and exactly 365 days to the day he was announced as a Newcastle player, Cabaye has flown to Italy to be unveiled as a Napoli player. With midfielders such as Marek Hamsik, Valon Behrami and Gokhan Inler already in the team, the squad will certainly face some tough competition, which should only make the players train and play better and harder. Known as a 'complete midfielder' Cababye should have no trouble settling in.

The other Premier League player, also a midfielder, signed from Manchester United. Adnan Januzaj may only be 17 years old, but many expect him to live up to his £3 million transfer fee within the first season, coming off the bench as an impact substitute and possibly starting the odd game. Januzaj recently made his way into the first team under new manager David Moyes, and after an excellent start to pre-season, was snapped up immediately by Frimpong.

Despite some thinking Januzaj is more of a signing for the future, Emmanuel Frimpong stated he felt Januzaj could make an immediate impact in the press conference unveiling the duo. Januzaj still has many years to develop as a player, and with the first team experience he may get with Napoli, he could turn into a Napoli great within a few years.

Emmanuel Frimpong announced in the press conference he would also be unveiling two more players within the next week, with rumours stirring that he will be a key striker.

Nice Update, But why did you tell me on chat that Januzaj is cute?!

Some nice signings there lets hope Cabaye can rip up Serie A

2013-07-24 18:47#122519 Nathaniel : Nice Update, But why did you tell me on chat that Januzaj is cute?!

LOOK AT HIM! HE'S ADORABLE!

2013-07-24 18:48#122520 wellsy1498 : Some nice signings there lets hope Cabaye can rip up Serie A

I think Frimpong will be hoping Januzaj too!

Cabaye is a fantastic signing, one of the forgotten gems in the BPL imo

Rumours have become fact today, as Napoli unveiled two more signings, with one being the key striker many expected to be coming in soon to replace Edinson Cavani. It is also one of the bookies favourites. Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were all lined up as possible candidates Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain got the offer.

Gonzalo Higuain joined SSC Napoli for a fee of £25 million, earning £105k per week, £15k more than he did with Real Madrid. He joined the Spanish giants in 2006 from River Plate for a fee of just under £9 million, and after scoring just under 100 goals, has departed 6 years later. During his time with Los Galacticos he won the Liga BBVA three times, and in the 2009/10 was runner up in the league's Golden Boot award. Now Gonzalo will be leading SSC Napoli up front, helped by former Real stars Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol, a key central defender for the upcoming season. Many fans were pleased with the signing of Higuain for a very reasonable fee, and the club expects merchandise sales will soar as a result of this.

The next Argentinian to sign for SSC Napoli is 25 year old central defender Ezequiel Garay, joining from SL Benfica. The star, known for his tackling, marking and bravery is expected to be a key figure for the 2012/13 campaign, and costing just £13 million, could be the best buy Frimpong will make this window. Earning just £36k a week, Frimpong explained his delight and Garay being so eager to join, despite having a key role in the Benfica line up. The former Real Madrid star became captain at Benfica, but was happy to move on to a new club.

Emmanuel Frimpong has confirmed he has two more signings completed who will be announced very soon, but won't be buying anyone else, and expects his work in the transfer window to be complete by then.

That alliteration is class mate! Superb update so in depth yet again!

Emmanuel Frimpong and SSC Napoli have today announced their final two signings the 2012 Summer Transfer Window. Having already spent a massive £m, the club still felt they needed some extra players, which has lead to the signings of two strikers for a combined fee of £9m, both previously Serie A players, who will know the league well and will hopefully adapt to the playing style of the Blues very quickly.

Matej Vydra has signed from Udinese, costing just £5 million. Vydra has been at Udinese for two years, but really came to fame after a very successful loan in England with nPower Championship, becoming their key player and top scorer, almost guiding the club to promotion.

Vyrda cost the club just £3.2 million, so will make a slight profit, but many Napoli fans have already considered this a bargain, and some even feel he would be able to fight with Higuain for places in the starting XI. Having played only 2 games for Udinese, fans will be unhappy they couldn't get to see their striker in action more, but many feel this a great deal for both clubs.

Meanwhile, Abel Hernandez has signed from recently relegated Palermo, costing £4 million. Hernandez requested to leave due to the relegation, wanting to stay in the Serie A, a perfect back up striker for Napoli. Frimpong has stated he felt he paid more than he wanted for the Uruguayan, but is still happy with the buy.

Despite being only 22, Abel already has multiple national caps and played almost 100 games over 4 seasons with Palermo. Abel is known for his power and strength, but also is a clinical finisher, meaning for £4 million he could be a steal!

Competition will be fierce between the strikers, with Higuain, Insigne, Vydra and Hernandez all fighting for those vital places, but all have stated they are happy to have to fight, saying it should improve their game and prevent them from slacking in training. Abel Hernandez has been given the number 23 shirt while Matej Vyrda will wear number 27.

Great signings.

Great updates and great signings!

Great signings there!

Quality Update Kane, as they all are!

PS When you allowed back on chat?

Pre-Season will see a lot of new players sign, and leave, and then play within the pre-season games, giving Frimpong his first opportunity to see what his full squad will be like.

TRANSFERS

TRANSFERS IN:

Adnan Januzaj - Manchester United - £3M

Cristian Tello - FC Barcelona - £6.5M

Matej Vydra - Udinese - £5M

Gonzalo Higuain - Real Madrid - £25M

Ezequiel Garay - SL Benfica - £13M

Alexis Sanchez - FC Barcelona - £26M

Abel Hernandez - Palermo - £4M

Marc Bartra - FC Barcelona - £6.5M

Yohan Cabaye - Newcastle United - £20M

Total In: £109M

TRANSFERS OUT:

Federico Fernandez - VfB Stuttgart - £3M

Pablo Armero - Paris Saint-Germain - £17M

Christian Maggio - AS Monaco - £11.5M

Goran Pandev - Manchester City - £14M

Camilo Zuniga - AS Monaco - £13.5M

Walter Gargano - Inter - £12M

Miguel Britos - PAOK - £1.4M

Mario Santana - Atlanta - £1.4M

Emanuele Allegra - L'Aquila - Loan

Total Out: £74M

The transfers are some I feel will help the squad a lot. We did spend a lot, but also bought in a lot of income. The changes will effect the squad, but I think for the better. Some players will be vital, but all players will be able to make a significant difference to the squad and their performances in the upcoming season. Hopefully, these signings will be good enough to mean we won't need to bust the budget for a while now.

RESULTS

Bangkok FC 0-2 SSC Napoli
(Higuain, Hamsik)

Ryukyu University 0-5 SSC Napoli
(Higuain, Vydra x2, Hamsik x2)

Beijing Youth 1-5 SSC Napoli
(Vydra x2, Hamsik, Garay, Insgine)

Police (KOR) 0-3 SSC Napoli
(Tello, Higuain, Vydra)

Willebroek 0-6 SSC Napoli
(Higuain x4, Sanchez, OG)

Sint-Niklaas U19 0-3 SSC Napoli
(Maiello x2, Dzemaili)

Some excellent results, going unbeaten. We only conceded one goal throughout pre-season, scored just before half time too. 26 goals were scored, and Gonzalo Higuain was a key player for us, which I hope will can continue throughout the season. The results have set us up nicely for the season, and the last fixture, using a considerably weak side still getting the win will boost the team's confidence alot.

SQUAD

GK: Reina, Rafael, De Sanctis
RB: Mesto
CB: Cannavaro, Bartra, Garay, Gamberini, Albioll, Uvini
LB: Dossena, Vitale
RM: Sanchez, Ciano
CM: Donadel, Radosevic, Frimpong, Inler, Dzemaili, Behrami, Cabaye, Maiello, Januzaj, Hamsik
LM: Tello, Mertens
ST: Vydra, Insigne, Callejon, Chavez, Higuain, Hoffer, Hernandez

I feel we have a very strong squad for the upcoming season who can definitely challenge for the title. The goalkeepers are all very strong, and all three could fight for the first team place. The formations will use the centre backs, meaning the weaknesses at fullback won't effect the team too much. The strikers are also very strong which will be key, as well the squad depth within the central midfielders.

Nice update