Naples, Tuanzebe where are you? Excluded from the Uefa list and then the injury

Compared to Manolas’ departure, it is as if nothing has changed. 130 minutes of use is anything but significant after two months. So far Axel Tuanzebe has not provided any concrete contribution to the cause and the chances that his career will continue in Naples are marginal. Spalletti immediately tried to speed up his insertion: a few days after his arrival he made him collect the only two appearances in blue. He first used it in the final of the championship match with Sampdoria, then threw it into the starting eleven who faced Fiorentina in the Italian Cup, losing after extra time. The last time he saw himself on the pitch was on January 13th.

Stop lombalgia

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The next two benches had not surprised, in the previous weeks Napoli had appreciated the excellent performance of Juan Jesus and the Brazilian had legitimately consolidated his role as third central defender, behind Koulibaly (absent for a long time between injuries and the Coppa d ‘ Africa) and Rrahmani. What was unexpected, however, was the exclusion from the Uefa list, which the club had communicated in view of the double confrontation with Barcelona. Logic would have wanted it to take Manolas’ place almost automatically, but Tuanzebe remained out. The choice was then clarified by the low back pain from which the defender began to suffer and which is affecting his Neapolitan experience. In fact, he has been following a personalized training program for over a month, without being available to the coach.

Future scenarios

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Clearly under these conditions it is difficult to imagine that Napoli can move to confirm it. Giuntoli bought it with the formula of an onerous loan, without already setting a price for the redemption. With Manchester United he will discuss it eventually at the end of the season, but there are really too many doubts about the physical strength of the player. The sporting director was aware of Tuanzebe’s fragility, who in the previous two seasons had missed 47 races due to various injuries with the Red Devils. Physical problems that did not seem to be connected and that had made us hope for a relaunch, perhaps that we could replicate the Tomori blow that Milan had managed, taking advantage of those who are used to the intensity of English football. This was not the case, and for this reason further evaluations will be carried out in the championship final. And if the player returns to the Premier League, Napoli will also have to include a central defender on their wish list.