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I think we all need a little pick-me-up after that so-called "match" against Atalanta, eh? Well, everyone's favorite friendly local Belgian is here to help.
Dries Mertens, who arrived in the summer on a €9.5 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven, has been immense for Napoli this season. He's scored five goals with five assists in 19 Serie A appearances this season, with another two assists during the Champions League group stage. He's become a key part of the squad since his arrival, and his movement and incisive passing helped Napoli cope with the loss of Marek Hamsik while the Slovakian was out with injury.
Thankfully, it seems that Mertens is enjoying Naples as much as the fans are enjoying him. Before the close of the transfer window, Dutch sports site ELF Voetball asked Mertens about how he felt about being a Napoli player, and if his answer doesn't make your heart smile, I don't know what will:
"There were many clubs that were interested in me," said the Belgian international. "But none of them offered me an improvement in my career. The only one that would allow me to make a jump in quality was Napoli.
"[Rafa] Benitez? He’s the greatest coach I’ve ever worked with. [...] I don’t see myself leaving here. I have no regrets for the choice I made over the summer."
-translated quote source: Forza Italian Football
Sure, it's a bit of a PR fluff quote, but it's always good to see your club's best players expressing a desire to stay at the club for a long time, especially when they're still fairly young like Mertens, who's 26. Hopefully his run of form continues for a long time to come, and he helps bring Napoli a title or two while he's at it.
