Another Lucas to Napoli Rumour? Boring.
It seemed like the summer transfer window just closed, but we’re just over a month away from the winter one opening which means that Liverpool midfielder Lucas is going to be linked with a move to Italian side Napoli any minute now.
Well, that didn’t take long, now did it? The 27-year old, who has found time on the pitch hard to come by the last two seasons with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers preferring some sort of combination of Steven Gerrard, Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson, has been almost constantly linked with a reunion with former boss Rafa Benitez at the Serie A side. Lucas played up the interest earlier in the month and his agent hasn’t been shy about doubling down on that.
“Is it possible for Lucas Leiva to leave Liverpool in January? Yes, naturally,” his agent Henrique Coelho told Italian football website Calciomercato.com when asked if he’d be seeking a move when the transfer window reopens. “Lucas Leiva really likes Rafa Benitez. After all, the two know each other well from when the Spaniard was manager of Liverpool.”
Benitez, who has been playing his own games in Italy ahead of contract negotiations with the Neapolitan outfit, brought Lucas to Liverpool during his time at Anfield and converted him into a defensive midfielder. Although he put in a strong showing away to Real Madrid in the Champions League, the 27-year continues to be on the fringes of the side despite being in what should be the prime years of his career. While he may not end up heading to Italy in the end, it wouldn’t be all to surprising if he headed somewhere this winter…
Lucas should be reinstated as the no.1. Defensive Midfielder. Gerrard should be moved up in an attacking role. He should be coming on in the final 20 mins of the game like McAlister did in his playing days At Liverpool. Gerrard may not have the legs to marathon but he has the legs to playmake and score for sure.