Dries Mertens has become something of coach Rafael Benitez’s latest flavour-of-the-month player, and the Belgian winger deserves a more regular presence in the Napoli’s starting lineup.
After Lorenzo Insigne had suffered a knee injury in November, Rafa Benitez has not had a stable left-winger. However, recent performances suggest that Mertens must be a certainty in that position.
Benitez has been rotating Mertens and Jonathan De Guzman in the left-wing role in Insigne’s absence, which is rather surprising for a couple of reasons. Mertens is a natural winger whereas De Guzman is best suited to playing more centrally.
De Guzman played on the left-wing and scored a goal in Napoli’s 3–3 draw with Cagliari in Week 12, which was more exceptional than proof of some tactical masterstroke.
The Dutch international has performed better when he has deputised for Marek Hamsik in the trequartista (playmaker) role, especially in the Partenopei’s 3–0 win at home to Swiss club Young Boys — in the Europa League group stages — when he scored all three goals.
De Guzman does not have the acceleration or ball control that Mertens possesses though, and the Belgian should be considered ahead of someone playing out of position.
Surprisingly the 27-year-old has only started nine Serie A matches so far, but still managed to score once and assist four in Napoli’s last six matches.
This run of form started in the 2–2 draw against Empoli. The Tuscans went 2–0 up, until Mertens took up the corner to create a goal for Duvan Zapata and get Napoli back into the match.
The Belgian came off the bench for Hamsik against Juventus and although the Partenopei eventually lost 3–1, the tricky winger was the one who showed the most initiative. Mertens took the corner that resulted in Miguel Britos’ goal as well as the Juventus defenders struggled to contain his weaving runs.
Napoli struggled in their latest Serie A match against Lazio but they only needed a solitary goal from Gonzalo Higuain to win in Rome. It was Mertens who had the vision to play the defence-splitting through-ball for the Argentine’s game-winner.
But of course the question is who should make way if Mertens deserves a spot in Napoli’s starting lineup?
Jose Callejon is a player worth considering. Despite scoring nine goals in 19 Serie A starts, he has only scored once in the last nine games and was seen more often defending than attacking against Lazio. If Mertens starts on the left, new signing Manolo Gabbiadini could play on the right.
If Benitez is keen to keep De Guzman in the lineup, his forward line should be similar to the one that started against Lazio and with Hamsik on the bench.
The Napoli captain did not start against AC Milan or against the Biancocelesti and only counts two assists in his last nine matches. Those assists came in the 4–1 triumph over this season’s whipping boys Cesena, meaning Hamsik needs to work harder to earn his place in the Napoli team.
Napoli are joint third with Sampdoria in the Serie A table with 33 points and will host Genoa in the next round on Monday night.
If the Partenopei want to be outright third or be placed higher in the table, Benitez must from henceforth go with the more sure-fire option and simply start Dries Mertens.
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Mertens has been poor this season. He is much better as a sub against tired legs or when/if the game is streached. It was the same for Belgium at the World Cup. The reason De Guzman has played more is he offers better coverage on the left where as Mertens has struggled to do his defensive role at times also. So whilst Mertens is more creative in that role De Guzman has helped offer a better balance at times.
I reckon coaches place too much emphasis on the defensive aspect on the game and Napoli would need players to track because its defence has usually been poor.
Mertens started the season poorly but he has done better when he has started and with Insigne out for a while, his creativity is needed.
As for the World Cup, that I agree with. Mertens was not good as a starter in that Belgian side but an ideal super-sub. For Napoli, it’s different.
The reason Napoli defence is porous at times is the balance in midfield in my view. Lopez is growing and was very good last night. But Lopez and Jorginho only have one season each under their belts of top level football the rest was played in the B leagues in Italy and Spain.
Gargano has a big heart and grinta but is a mid table player and Inler looks ready for Turkey.
Stick a better quality midfielder in and Napoli will give up less chances. Until Napoli have the balance right in midfield, tweaks in other positions will occur. As you know Napoli’s luck in trying to get a better midfield has hit many pitfalls in previous windows.
Just for a laugh our old friend on what could have been
Gonalons 60 Toulalan 40 Mavuba 32 Imbula 27 T.Motta 26 Verratti 25 Cabaye 22 Matuidi 20
Should have added number of interceptions.