Image via @en_sscnapoli on Twitter
Napoli ran out 5-2 winners last night away at Hellas Verona, with Piotr Ziekiński grabbing the third goal of the five.
It was a game where he showed how much ability he has and how integral he is to the side he has played for since 2016, despite the best efforts of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to sell him this summer.
Zieliński didn’t register any assists in the match, but he was a key part of a rejuvenated Napoli line-up and fluid new-look attack, which featured new signings and older acquisitions alike.
The goal he scored was typical of the running from midfield which he has shown on plenty of occasions, exchanging passes with new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before slotting the ball past the onrushing Verona keeper with his left foot. The goal was simply the cherry on top of an all-round performance that would’ve been sure to have impressed Selekcjoner Czesław Michniewicz, who was in attendance to observe both Zieliński and Paweł Dawidowicz, who was in the Verona defence on the right side of the back three.
A performance like last night does beg the question as to why De Laurentiis is so keen to sell Zieliński, having already blown up the squad that so nearly won the Scudetto last season before finishing 3rd. Sales of Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea and allowing captain Lorenzo Insigne, and record goalscorer Dries Mertens, to leave the club as their contracts expired this summer. An offer from West Ham was rejected by Zieliński, and he reportedly made it clear to the club that he doesn’t want to move.
At 28 years old, Zieliński is very happy in Italy (even making efforts to obtain citizenship) and does not want to move outside of Serie A. Milan were showing interest at the same time as West Ham, but this has cooled.
Whether he is indeed sold against his wishes or not, Zieliński remains a player of real quality both in club and international football, which can only be good news for Poland heading into the World Cup this winter.
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