Serie A 2016/2017 (59 Viewers)
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that's worse than balotelli, and some people want him here 
lol, in one interview he's basically pushing Mertens away from Napoli and running away from responsibility over the Higuain saga. I'm surprised how he's survived so long without disturbing Hamšik, he's clearly an asshole towards his own players
http://www.football-italia.net/101668/adl-mertens-renewal-depends-wife
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals that Dries Mertens wants to renew his contract, but the sticking point is his wife.
The 67-year-old also confirmed that Chelsea had offered €55m for Kalidou Koulibaly, but lack of an adequate replacement meant the bid was rejected.
"[Maurizio] Sarri? There’s no doubt, he’s in a multi-year contract with Napoli," the owner told BeIn Sports. "The the clause of €8m is only valid after next season and it does not seem a small amount to free him.
"Mertens? I think he wants to stay in Napoli: but then you need to ask his wife.
"If Dries finds a solution with her there’s no doubt he will stay here and we'll welcome him with open arms.
"As for Koulibaly, Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told [Antonio] Conte that I could not give up him up without first having a worthy substitute."
Thoughts then moved to former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, who pointed his finger at the President after scoring for new club Juventus at the San Paolo in the Coppa Italia.
"You can think he justified himself in front of the fans by pointing his finger at me, but our supporters are not stupid.
"You cannot betray the team where you played and consecrated yourself in front of the world in order to go to the biggest enemy in Juventus.
"It’s a fall from grace and have nothing to do with him nor his brother: he has been shown to be small-minded."
http://www.football-italia.net/101668/adl-mertens-renewal-depends-wife
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals that Dries Mertens wants to renew his contract, but the sticking point is his wife.
The 67-year-old also confirmed that Chelsea had offered €55m for Kalidou Koulibaly, but lack of an adequate replacement meant the bid was rejected.
"[Maurizio] Sarri? There’s no doubt, he’s in a multi-year contract with Napoli," the owner told BeIn Sports. "The the clause of €8m is only valid after next season and it does not seem a small amount to free him.
"Mertens? I think he wants to stay in Napoli: but then you need to ask his wife.
"If Dries finds a solution with her there’s no doubt he will stay here and we'll welcome him with open arms.
"As for Koulibaly, Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told [Antonio] Conte that I could not give up him up without first having a worthy substitute."
Thoughts then moved to former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, who pointed his finger at the President after scoring for new club Juventus at the San Paolo in the Coppa Italia.
"You can think he justified himself in front of the fans by pointing his finger at me, but our supporters are not stupid.
"You cannot betray the team where you played and consecrated yourself in front of the world in order to go to the biggest enemy in Juventus.
"It’s a fall from grace and have nothing to do with him nor his brother: he has been shown to be small-minded."
DL such an unprofessional bloke.Definitely should take Mertens of his hands.
From the very beginning him and his wife have never shut up about how much they loved Naples. I don't think it was a PR thing, they said it in Belgium too. To a neapolitan those things matter.
Apparently Mertens and his wife have been living seperately for a few months now and rumour is that there might have been an affair (which would be a tragedy as they're high school sweethearts).
Some journalists have also implied that his wife now no longer wants to live in Naples (presumably the city of his mistress) and is forcing them to move to another city. Some neapolitans appear to have taken this badly.
De Laurentiis can be a moron, but here he's playing his cards right. He can't prevent Mertens from leaving because of personal reasons, so he's trying to discredit him while inflating his love for Naples. If Mertens would decide to stay De Laurentiis can always claim that apparently he came to his senses and realized how much he loved the city.
So yeah, I think he may have gotten this one right.
First interview: Monchi sets out his aims after joining Roma
See what new Roma sporting director Monchi had to say in his first official interview after taking on the role...
The Spaniard says he hopes to help the Giallorossi compete for major honours, after signing an initial four-year contract with the club.
"I believe Roma have already built a lot," he noted. "All we have to do is add to that and I really believe that with good planning, the right personnel and infrastructure we can achieve great things."
See everything Monchi had to say in the transcript below.
How do you feel as you embark on this new challenge?
"I really want to repay the warm welcome I've received from the president, club and management. I'm very keen to get started and put together the best possible Roma side."
You were very much in demand. What made you opt for Roma?
"It was the club's interest in me and the determination they showed in wanting to bring me here. Plus the lure of the club itself. I believe this club is perfectly suited to the way I work. It's an ambitious club that wants to grow and compete for major honours. This is a wonderful city and the club have a huge fanbase. I believe we have everything we need to do a good job."
How are Roma seen around the world?
"There's a very positive view of Roma. They're seen as a big club which represents one of the greatest cities on earth. It's a club with big history and huge potential for the future."
You took Sevilla to the very top. How important is planning in what you today?
"Planning is very important in the workplace. At Sevilla, we all contributed to building a model which grew over time and secured unimaginable results. I believe Roma have already built a lot - all we have to do is add to that and I really believe that with good planning, the right personnel and infrastructure, which Roma already have, we can achieve great things."
What did president Jim Pallotta say to you?
"The president conveyed his enthusiasm, ambition, desire to achieve great things and a lot of confidence. I've felt very much on the same wavelength as him every time I've spoken to him. While he speaks English and I speak Spanish, we've always spoken the same language when it comes to work."
You've signed a four-year contract. What are your short- and long-term targets?
"The short-term goal is for me to get settled here at Roma and learn about the club's identity and philosophy - basically I need to know what makes the club tick. Then, Ricky Massara and I have to create the most professional football department possible because that's what I believe is one of the secrets to future success. Those are the short-term targets.
"As for the long-term goals, our aim is to consolidate Roma's position not only at the summit of the Italian game but also at Europe's top table."
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