Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli has praised the decision by Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis to bring in former Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez and also his temporary team-mate during his own spell at Anfield Pepe Reina.
The 27-year-old stopper, who spent six months under Benitez when on loan from Sampdoria in 2007, also reflected on his move this summer to the Granata and the difficult situation he inherited in Turin after Jean-Francois Gillet ban from football.
“[Benitez] is a great person, and [was good] with those who played and those who were not playing.” Padelli told Sky Sport 24.
“He is a great coach, very meticulous and prepared on all fields.
“He spoke Italian with me, and he could make himself understood.
“Napoli have made ??the right choice and the coach will want to bounce back.
“[Signing] Reina is another great deal, he is a quiet person and a great goalkeeper, just think of the teams he turned down.
“Could they win the Scudetto? They are one more [side of] championship level, Fiorentina have also created a great team.
“Gillet [has a difficult] experience I had it too, very bad, because I knew I was a stranger to everything.
“I spoke with him [Gillet] in Turin, before leaving for the [pre-season] retreat, he experienced a situation similar to mine and wants to prove he is innocent.
“Besides being a great goalkeeper he is sincere and honest.
“The [owner Urbano Cairo] is here now and makes his choices but I try to gain the confidence of the coach [Giampiero Ventura].
“I was the first purchase of Turin and I was very pleased.”
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