Lorenzo Lucca was one of the most important signings of Napoli’s recent transfer window. It was a deal worth around €35 million between a very expensive loan and an obligation to buy.
We won’t get into judging the valuation – everyone can draw their own conclusions.
Lucca faces crunch time for Napoli
What is certain is that everything has changed for the striker: in Udine he was an undisputed starter, with a team built and structured around his characteristics.
In Naples, however, he has essentially become the alternative option to Hojlund, especially with Lukaku set to return soon.
The point is that Napoli spared no expense to satisfy Conte, but Lucca had expected to be far more involved in the rotation, and now he must abandon old habits.
It is not yet time for definitive assessments, but between the transfer fee, expectations, pressure and tension, the striker is going through a delicate moment – one he must overcome quickly to avoid the season taking the wrong turn.
Lucca has been very poor. Slow, heavy touch, low anticipation, an inability to find space. Is it a lack of confidence, the pressure, or that he simply isn’t good eneough? In his defense, I don’t think that Conte’s slow approach play, system – in that he often has no teammates within 15 yards of him – does him any favours. A player like him could probably do with a strike partner or two wide forwards in support of him.
Take a fish out of water don’t expect it to swim. Napoli is not built around his style of play plain and simple!