Speculation about the future of Liverpool loanee Pepe Reina continues to rumble on, but after months of wildly differing (and often contradictory) rumours, there's one piece of rock solid, factual news this week that suggest the Spaniard's stay at Napoli could become permanent.
After Sunday's 2-0 victory over Juventus, Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentis told reporters:
"I talked to Reina and told him that he must remain with us. I want him confirmed for next season.
"He was happy - for him it was a double reward."
De Laurentis's comments come in the same week that Reina is linked with a swap deal, which reportedly involves £15m Napoli duo Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami coming to Anfield, with Reina being used as a €8m makeweight.
I'm not sure that Rafa Benitez will be too happy with De Laurentis's comments, though. The Spaniard is notoriously averse to club owners interfering in transfer business, and if Benitez doesn't want to keep Reina, then he'll probably be angry at the Italian's presumptuousness.
The opposite is probably true, though - Benitez rates Reina, and given their history together, it seems likely that he'll wants to keep him at Napoli. Indeed, earlier this month, the Napoli boss raved:
"When you are in excellent physical condition as I think he is now, the excellence shown highlights to me him as one of the best goalkeepers in the world"
On the subject of Barca - Victor Valdes sustained a cruciate ligament injury over the weekend, and will now be out for 7 months, which means he'll miss the World Cup. It's terrible for Valdes, but it means that Reina may have his best chance yet of establishing himself as Spain's number one goalkeeper.
Valdes's unfortunate injury could just be the boost Reina needs to move to the next level. Good luck to him.
Author: Jaimie K
After Sunday's 2-0 victory over Juventus, Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentis told reporters:
"I talked to Reina and told him that he must remain with us. I want him confirmed for next season.
"He was happy - for him it was a double reward."
De Laurentis's comments come in the same week that Reina is linked with a swap deal, which reportedly involves £15m Napoli duo Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami coming to Anfield, with Reina being used as a €8m makeweight.
I'm not sure that Rafa Benitez will be too happy with De Laurentis's comments, though. The Spaniard is notoriously averse to club owners interfering in transfer business, and if Benitez doesn't want to keep Reina, then he'll probably be angry at the Italian's presumptuousness.
The opposite is probably true, though - Benitez rates Reina, and given their history together, it seems likely that he'll wants to keep him at Napoli. Indeed, earlier this month, the Napoli boss raved:
"When you are in excellent physical condition as I think he is now, the excellence shown highlights to me him as one of the best goalkeepers in the world"
On the subject of Barca - Victor Valdes sustained a cruciate ligament injury over the weekend, and will now be out for 7 months, which means he'll miss the World Cup. It's terrible for Valdes, but it means that Reina may have his best chance yet of establishing himself as Spain's number one goalkeeper.
Valdes's unfortunate injury could just be the boost Reina needs to move to the next level. Good luck to him.
Author: Jaimie K
Off-topic (sorry JK), but I'm just curious about what you guys think about this: a lot of people are now writing off Chelsea to win the EPL. There's been a big shift in an idea from a two-horse race between City and Chelsea, to a two-horse race between City and Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteThe only person I've heard in the last couple of days who has still tipped Chelsea to win is Craig Burley, but he's only stuck by them because he said he doesn't want to change his mind every single week like a lot of the other panelists on ESPN FC do (especially Alejandro Moreno), and plus he's probably a little biased to his old team.
But these other panelists like Nicol have also reflected this shift in idea, where Nicol and Hislop stated it's 50/50 between City and Liverpool (with City still the favourites). Anyway, who still thinks Chelsea still have a good chance after Palace?
Jose knows Chelsea still have as good a chance as Liverpool cause their fixtures are simple but he's saying Chelsea can't win it because they choked when they thought they could.
ReplyDeleteWho cares what Jose thinks ;) Honestly, I don't even listen to what he says anymore.
ReplyDeleteTrust me boys Liverpool have got dis all wrapped up. My prediction. West ham vs Liverpool 5-1 to the reds. Studge to score first, sterling score 1 and Suarez hat trick. Downing to score one back. Chelsea vs Liverpool, at home, sturridge to score first, Suarez one goal and maybe Stevie, but it will be a comfortable win. After that we will be ever so close.
ReplyDeleteNick, trust me, this is all part of Mourinho's plan, and the media have fallen right into it. Chances are that we will drop points at some stage, Chelsea are only 2 points behind us, 2 points.
ReplyDeleteMourinho has succeeded in putting the pressure on us and away from them, specially after he said it wasn't impossible for them to win the league, what a load of tosh!
All these "experts" have jumped into Mourinhos mid games.
The horse race is between us, City and Chelsea. City have to go to Everton (who I am backing to get 4th) and that's a hard game.
This is not about Mourinho, this is about what people honestly think of Chelsea regardless of what Mourinho says.
ReplyDeleteBut I really don't think the players, and importantly BR, even listen to Mourinho. When people heard him say his latest tripe, everyone just laughed.
ReplyDeleteMe2, but the media will add the pressure. LOL I was just baffled at such a lame attempt haha
ReplyDeleteI think people do believe it or not.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that if we win our 6 then we win the league!! :D
ReplyDeleteI agree mate. Chelsea are still right in it IMO
ReplyDeleteIt should be remembered though that no team which has been top of the EPL on 1 April has ever gone on to win it
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Benitez is doing well at Napoli. He didn't have the best time at Inter, and deserved another shot in that league.
ReplyDeletelooks like a new record will be broken then
ReplyDeleteRoma should be cheeky chaps and try and steal Reina, so they can replace De Sanctis.
ReplyDeleteThere's a story on my app claiming that Liverpool and Everton have agreed a deal to ground share a new stadium in Stanley park. I thought we were in the process of buying up the houses around anfield to redevelop it. Can anyone give me any clarity on this?
ReplyDeleteApril fools?
ReplyDeleteReina could still end up at Barcelona. One thing is for sure, he will not be at Anfield next season.
ReplyDeleteYea that had occurred to me. They seemed to have financial figures etc and seemed genuine. Hopefully you're right and that's all it is
ReplyDeleteI love April fools jokes!
ReplyDeleteMan Utd last year... they were on top since December I think.
ReplyDeleteHe is doing good. Great? not sure yet. Napoli finished 2nd last season and they will finish 3rd this season with quiet a few points behind Roma but not too far ahead of Fiorentina.
ReplyDeleteGranted they had Cavani last year but overall team is much balanced now. Roma resurgence is spectacular and it doesn't help Napoli but they should have done better against small teams. Even though they had a tough fixtures in CL and EL, this season is definitely considered failure when compared to Mazzarri's Napoli that finished 2nd last season and did better in Europe. Not to forget that they spent a lot last summer. Typical Rafa!
Chelsea are 7 to 1 with the bookmakers. I'm thinking of putting a bit on them, I'll still want us to win it but a few bob would sweeten the pill. And knowing my luck I'll put the mockers on the chavs.
ReplyDeleteWell I think we can do it
ReplyDeletePepe who?
ReplyDeleteI would think the WHU 1 would be AC from a set piece with Agger (not)marking him well...maybe 2.
ReplyDeleteJust shows Moanrinho can still work his Svengali-like spells over jaded sportswriters. They are 2 points down to us with 6 to play...they're not out of it until it's all over.
ReplyDeleteOh the Serie A. What a boring league!
ReplyDeleteNapoli have 2 more points this season than what they had last season after 31 matches but as you say, loads of money was spent by Rafa this season so if anything they should be much closer to Juventus than what they are.
Can't see Napoli improving under Rafa.