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Insigne responds criticism
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia after Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Sassuolo, Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne responded to critics saying “I always get criticized. I don’t want to stir up controversy, but I am the only one who always gets targeted when I don’t score or don’t perform up to my usual standards.”
After a red-hot start to the season, Insigne has struggled to regain his scoring form and has only scored 3 goals in a span of 4 months and 20 matches. His critics voices have only gotten louder since the native Neapolitan has taken over the captain’s armband from Marek Hamsik. Insigne’s recent comments have fed to the rumors that the Italian may be open to a move elsewhere. Gazzetto dello Sport claim that Manchester United are among the interested clubs (along with Liverpool and Manchester City), however Insigne is under contract until 2022 and Aurelio De Laurentiis has emphatically denied that the Partenopei’s star man is for sale. It would take a lot for Insigne to be lured away from his boyhood club, but the fact that the controversial Mino Raola is his agent only complicates things.
International call-ups
Several Napoli players have received call-ups for the upcoming international break while many others are still waiting for the official squads to be announced:
Ospina: Colombia
Allan: Brazil
Koulibaly: Senegal
Zielinski: Poland
Milik: Poland
Napoli interested in Icardi?
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Napoli are among the favorites to land Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi along with Spanish giants Real Madrid. After a disappointing season and a horrid week, Real Madrid will most likely be looking to completely revamp their squad over the summer, although it remains to be seen whether Icardi will be in their plans. A big part of what happens this summer will most likely depend on their plans for Karim Benzema, who Zinedine Zidane has praised in the past. However, they may still be eyeing a replacement as the French striker turned 31 earlier this season, while Icardi is only 26. The fact that Wanda Nara is Icardi’s agent make things interesting seeing how she has said in the past that the two want to stay in Italy. If this is the case, Napoli may be a prime destination for the Argentine.