Ten players Rafael Benitez could bring to his new club.
10. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
Rafael Benitez first brought Martin Skrtel to the Premier League when he was still in charge of Liverpool in 2008. The Slovakian defender looked an astute signing by the Spaniard, though his form has dropped somewhat in recent seasons. Brendan Rodgers has insisted he has a future at the club, despite not playing him for much of the second half of the year. Several clubs have been linked with the 28-year-old, including Napoli, so Benitez could help push through a deal for his former player when he officially joins the Serie A side.
9. Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea)
It was under Rafael Benitez that Yossi Benayoun found some of the best form of his career at Liverpool. The Spaniard also seemed keen to give the Israeli a chance during his short spell as Chelsea manager this season, though a recent lack of games and injury problems mean his fitness is not what it was. A switch to the slower pace of Serie A could be a good move for the former West Ham star, and he would add depth and provide a decent alternative to Marek Hamsik behind Napoli’s front two.
8. Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Pepe Reina looks likely to leave Liverpool this summer after looking past his best for a couple of years now. The Spanish goalkeeper was originally brought to the club by Benitez in 2005, and he may be keen to reunite with him in Serie A. Napoli are known to be looking for goalkeepers this summer to replace the ageing Morgan De Sanctis, and Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet has also been linked. Reina is also said to be wanted by Barcelona, but this strange rumour may not turn out to be true given his recent form, and a move to Napoli may be more suitable for the 30-year-old at this time.
7. Gaston Ramirez (Southampton)
The 22-year-old Uruguayan has had an impressive first season in English football with Southampton and is already been linked with a return to Serie A, where he previously played with Bologna. The attacking midfielder is supposedly wanted by Juventus, though he may fancy his chances of more first team football at Napoli, a club that are really going places after finishing second in Serie A, securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.
6. Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)
It is widely expected that Alexis Sanchez will be made available by Barcelona this summer after an indifferent couple of seasons since joining from Udinese. The Chilean winger formerly lit up Serie A with his displays, and may feel he is more suited to Italian football. Juventus and Inter Milan have been linked with him, but Benitez may use his La Liga connections to make a deal with Barcelona. Liverpool and Arsenal have also been linked with the 24-year-old, but a return to Italy seems more likely.
5. Esteban Granero (Queens Park Rangers)
Following relegation with QPR, former Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero seems certain to leave the club this summer. The 25-year-old has been linked with another Serie A club Fiorentina, but could be persuaded to link up with Benitez at Napoli, who can offer Champions League football. Italy seems the likely destination for this skillful midfielder who has not quite managed to make the grade in Spain or England so far in his career.
4. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
With Benitez immediately having to deal with the sale of star player Edinson Cavani, a striker will be a priority for the Spanish coach. It has long been rumoured that Edin Dzeko is surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium and could move to Serie A this summer, with the likes of Juventus interested in the Bosnian. Napoli have also been keen to land Dzeko as part of any deal that would see Cavani go to Manchester City, so Benitez is likely to try to make this happen.
3. Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
The Brazilian midfielder has emerged as a key performer for Liverpool in recent seasons, but it was as a youngster that he was first brought to Anfield by Rafael Benitez. Lucas has had several injury problems in recent years that might mean the Reds will accept a reasonable offer for him, and he has been linked quite strongly as a transfer target for Benitez if he does join Napoli.
2. David Villa (Barcelona)
David Villa is another player who Barcelona are likely to sell in a summer clear-out this year, and despite being linked fairly strongly with Tottenham and Liverpool, the 31-year-old could be the perfect answer to Napoli’s striker problems. Despite limited appearances this season, the Spaniard has shown he still as an eye for goal, and Benitez’s knowledge of Spanish football will mean he is well aware of what Villa can offer.
1. Fernando Torres (Chelsea)
Napoli have been linked with Fernando Torres a couple of times over the last few months, and that link will surely strengthen now that Rafael Benitez is set to join the club. Torres has a good relationship with Benitez after their successful time at Liverpool together, and it was hoped that he would get the best out of his striker during his time as interim manager of Chelsea. Indeed, Torres’ form did seem to improve under Benitez, though probably not enough to convince the Blues not to sell him this summer. If Cavani ends up choosing a move to Stamford Bridge over Manchester City, then this is another potential swap deal that could happen.