Callejon: Star-studded attack can fire Napoli to title
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| AFP |
Spanish forward Jose Callejon insisted that Napoli can win Serie A this season because he believes they have the best attack in the league.
Coach Maurizio Sarri's team had a mediocre start to the season but routed AC Milan 4-0 at the San Siro last week to sit six points behind leaders Fiorentina, amongst the scudetto frontrunners. A test of Napoli's title credentials will come immediately after the international break when Sarri's men host the leaders. And Callejon believes his side's star-studded attack, led by Argentinian international Gonzalo Higuain, which has plundered 16 goals in seven league matches, can fire them to the title.
"I think we have the strongest attack in Serie A, also because of the number of quality, international players we have sitting on the bench," Callejon told Sky Sport. "On top of that we have Higuain, who is our leader. He's a calm guy. It's true that if he doesn't score or we don't win he gets angry, but that's just his personality. It's better he scores, that way he stays calm."
Napoli have not won the scudetto since another Argentinian, Diego Maradona, steered the club to their second title in 1990, three years after their maiden triumph. Napoli's performances so far, combined with champions Juventus's poor start that has left them a further four points behind, suggest the Partenopei can realistically dream of ending their 15-year wait.
"I think we have the strongest attack in Serie A, also because of the number of quality, international players we have sitting on the bench."
Napoli forward Jose Callejon
"It's an objective of ours, but it's still the start of the season and we have to take it slowly," Callejon said. Higuain has been on fire so far -- hitting five league goals to sit just one behind Serie A leader Eder of Sampdoria -- and sealed a 2-0 win over Legia Warsaw last week with a stunning goal that left Sarri's men top of their UEFA Europa League group.
Much to the delight of Italy fans, Lorenzo Insigne -- who occupies the left flank in Sarri's newly-adopted three-pronged attack -- has been reborn following a frustrating season playing under Rafael Benitez. Thanks to a brace in the 4-0 rout of Milan, Insigne is also on five league goals and tops the league in assists with nine.
Indeed, the 24-year-old has impressed so much that there has been talk of Napoli handing him the No10 shirt once worn by Maradona but retired by the club to commemorate his achievements. Before leaving the Italy training camp with a swollen knee earlier this week, Insigne said: "Let's leave Maradona in peace. He's the greatest of all time. If the club wants to bring back the jersey then of course I will start to think about it. It would be a huge burden, but also an amazing feeling." Insigne is expected to be fit in time for the visit of Fiorentina next weekend.
"The Fiorentina game is crucial for us," added Callejon. "They are top of the league but we'll be playing at home. Losing won't even be on our minds."