Should Man Utd sack Jose Mourinho? The pros and cons of dismissing crisis-hit manager

The Portuguese is fighting for his future at the moment but not everybody is convinced he should go, with arguments to be considered on both sides

Barely a single word was uttered on Valencia on Monday as Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was instead left to field countless questions about his future and the demeanour of his squad ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with the Spanish outfit at Old Trafford.

Saturday's 3-1 defeat to West Ham increased the pressure on the under-fire Portuguese, with United slipping to 10th place in the Premier League table after a shambolic showing in the capital.

But while some have claimed that Zinedine Zidane has been lined up as a potential replacement, Mourinho remains in the job for now as the Red Devils look to fight their way out of a full-blown crisis.

Is now the right time to pull the trigger, or does Mourinho deserve more time? Goal runs through the reasons why United should sack him and those why he should be saved.

Getty1SAVE HIM: The costly pay-off

Even if a consensus is reached that firing Mourinho is the right thing to do given the context, the Portuguese’s exit is set to cost Manchester United a huge amount of money. With the best part of two years left on his Old Trafford deal and a club option for a further 12 months, the manager stands to gain a further £33 million during his United stay thanks to his £12m agreement.

It is believed that there is a clause in his deal though which would allow the club to pay him a £12m settlement should they decide to sack him before the end of the 2019-20 season, cutting between £9m and £21m off their total expected outlay.

But that would mean the club having to fork out £12m to pay off Mourinho even before considering the cost of taking on a new manager’s salary and signing-on bonuses, which would make it one almighty outlay for the miserly Ed Woodward to countenance.AdvertisementGetty2SAVE HIM: This is hardly a surprise to United

What exactly did United expect they were going to get when they appointed Mourinho in 2016? They sacked Louis van Gaal within 48 hours of winning the FA Cup because they wanted the closest thing they could find to guaranteed success at whatever cost.

They knew what Mourinho had got up to in the past, but they bought into it. They knew he’d demand costly changes to the squad to get them competing, but they bought into it. They knew they risked alienating those fans who want more than anything to see flowing football, but they bought into it.

Changing now would abandon yet another strategy – a third different vision in little over five years – and the need to develop a new one could be further damaging to a club which is desperately looking to pick a direction and stick to it.GETTY3SAVE HIM: Can a successor be expected to make a huge difference?

Which brings us to the replacement. United should only sack Mourinho if they are certain they can bring in an upgrade, and that is not necessarily the case right now. Of course, Zinedine Zidane’s name has been widely linked and Mourinho was even asked on Monday whether the Frenchman had called to say he was not after the United job.

But while Zidane comes with a pedigree having won three straight Champions Leagues, he took the job at Real Madrid with a squad of superstars already waiting for him. At United he would have a promising first XI but not too much else beyond that, leaving him with a far different proposition than the one which saw him achieve unprecedented success at the Santiago Bernabeu.

United were keen on Mauricio Pochettino before selecting Mourinho in 2016 and the Tottenham boss would be a fair target come next summer. But an immediate change in boss could rule out the Argentine, and the chance to make a considered appointment of a man who puts football first might be spurned as a result.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty4SAVE HIM: Mourinho is not the start and end of United's problems

While there is a clear issue with Mourinho, it is not United’s only area of concern right now… not by a long chalk. Bringing in a new manager will not do anything to resolve the fact that the Glazers’ takeover continues to cost the club around 80 per cent of its operating profit. It will also not address the fact that there is a serious lack of football-savvy decision-makers knocking around the club and executive vice-chair Ed Woodward gives the impression of a man out of his depth in the transfer arena.

And similarly a change of regime will not automatically fill the gaps in United’s anaemic squad, nor will it bring the bigger names into line without the perfect appointment being made upon Mourinho’s exit. The manager has fought for more care to be placed into the upkeep of the playing staff but the board have not been willing to do that, so why wouldn’t more of the same be in store for the next incumbent without greater support from the boardroom?

New 2022-23 football kits: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United & all the top teams' jerseys revealed

With the 2022-23 season just around the corner, teams across the world have been launching their new gear

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Football and fashion have intertwined, with the best teams in the world working alongside the biggest sports brands to produce eye-catching kits each season.

Manufacturers such as Nike, adidas, Puma and more vie for the attention of football fans by coming up with fresh looks every year, and the demand is such that there is always room for innovative designs.

Whether it is a futuristic, experimental style, or retro throwback effort, there is a vast array of options to choose from. GOAL takes a look at what the top teams will be wearing in the 2022-23 season.

AC MilanAC Milan | Home

AC Milan and Puma have gone for a classic look in 2022-23, with the Rossoneri stripes framed with a black border on the torso, evoking memories of the team's iconic look at the turn of the millennium, from 2000 to 2002.

Get the new kit from the AC Milan store.

AdvertisementPUMAAC Milan I Away

AC Milan has revisited the classic white away kit which has become a part of the club's famous history. They wore an all-white kit when the club became the first Italian team to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1963. The kit featured horizontal red lines, which is a homage to the kit worn during the 1984-85 season.

Shop the AC Milan 2022-23 away collection from the club shop.

AjaxAjax | Home

Ajax has released a classic look for their brand new home kit for the 2022-23 season.

It’s focused on what adidas are calling ‘golden moments’, and for a good reason. You’ve still got the traditional red and white colourway, but this time with a touch of gold stripe detailing on the sleeve, cuffs, and collars.

Get it from the official Ajax store

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adidasArsenal | Home

Arsenal unveiled their new 2022-23 home kit in May, with the latest offering from suppliers Adidas featuring a bold “lightning bolt” design.

The Gunners have announced that £5 from every sale of 2022-23 home shirts bought directly through them between May 19 and August 5 will be going to The Arsenal Foundation to support local community initiatives – with the club having worked to “positively impact the lives of people in our local areas since 1985”.

UK: Get it from Arsenal Direct

US: Get it from Adidas

13 fun facts about Kai Havertz

Everything you need to know about Germany and Chelsea forward Kai Havertz!

Kai Havertz is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Chelsea in the Premier League and the German national team. He was born on June 11, 1999, in Aachen, Germany.

Havertz started his footballing career with local club Alemannia Mariadorf before joining the youth academy of Bayer Leverkusen at the age of 11. He made his professional debut for Leverkusen in 2016, becoming the then-youngest player to ever play in the Bundesliga for the club at just 17 years and 126 days old.

During the 2018-19 season, Havertz had a breakout year for Leverkusen, scoring 17 goals and providing three assists in the Bundesliga. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Month for April 2019 and was included in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

In September 2020, Havertz signed for Chelsea for a reported fee of £72 million, making him the club's second most expensive signing at the time. Havertz played a key role in Chelsea's run to the Champions League title in the 2020-21 season, scoring the winning goal in the final against Manchester City. He also would score the decisive goal against Palmeiras in next season's Club World Cup final to help the Blues win the trophy for the first time.

Havertz made his debut for the German national team in 2018, and he has since become a regular fixture in the squad. The Chelsea forward has since represented them at the 2020 Euros and 2022 World Cup.

Here are 13 fun facts about Kai Havertz you need to know…!

Very early beginnings

At a very young age, Havertz had already got the experience of being a footballer. When he was merely four years old, the future Chelsea striker would play for amateur club Alemannia Mariadorf. His grandfather, Richard, was the chairman of the team and helped the German forward get some valuable lessons which would benefit him later in his career.

AdvertisementA Barcelona fan

While the Bayer Leverkusen academy product and his family were primarily supporters of local club Alemannia Aachen, Havertz was an ardent supporter of La Liga giants Barcelona as a child.

If one were to enter his childhood bedroom, one would find it adorned with Barcelona memorabilia. Havertz has cited Barca legends Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho as players he enjoyed watching as a kid, particularly during their victory over Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final.

Getty ImagesMost goals by a teenager in one Bundesliga season

With his tally of 17 goals during the 2018-19 season, Kai Havertz broke the record of most goals by a teenager in a single Bundesliga season.

As a result of his performances that year Havertz came second in the rankings for German Footballer of the Year, with Borussia Dortmund ace Marco Reus getting the jump on him.

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Assisted Bundesliga's 50,000th goal

Havertz cemented his name in Bundesliga legacy instantly after making his debut for the senior team by providing an assist to then-teammate Karim Bellarabi during their game against Augsburg, which would be the 50,000th goal scored in the league's history.

Since then, Havertz entered his name into the Bundesliga record books every season, highlighting that he was one of the biggest prospects to emerge in the league's history.

Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami again in 2023? Tata Martino outlines plans for final two MLS games after play-off failure

Tata Martino says “the work begins now for next season” at Inter Miami, with it unclear whether further risks will be taken on Lionel Messi’s fitness.

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Argentine superstar has nursed knockSeen limited game time as a resultHeading off with his country againWHAT HAPPENED?

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner may have already seen his 2023 campaign brought to a close at club level. An unfortunate injury picked up during his last trip away with the Argentina national team has limited his involvement in MLS action over recent weeks.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi has been included in the latest Argentina squad – despite his lack of game time – and they have two more 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru fast approaching. The second of those fixtures is not due to take place until October 17.

WHAT THEY SAID

Inter Miami will be back in action against Charlotte FC on October 18, before facing the same opponents in their final regular season fixture three days later. Messi would not be back for the first of those games if he stays with the Argentina squad, and would be struggling for the second. Martino has said of his plans for two games that have become dead rubbers: “Yes, we have two games left, but the work begins now for next season. We made good roster moves and progress over the summer, and we have to be very precise over the next few months about how we will approach next season.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

If Messi’s domestic campaign has come to a close, then he faces a long break through to the start of the 2024 MLS season. Argentina do have more qualifiers to come in November, while Inter Miami are expected to line up friendly dates, but the all-time great is going to have plenty of time in which to focus on returning to full match fitness – if no loan transfer is agreed in January.

Explained: Why Celtic women fans have been banned from attending Rangers Old Firm derby clash just 24 hours before game is due to start

Rangers have cancelled Celtic's entire away ticket allocation just 24 hours ahead of Sunday's SWPL Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

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Rangers cite 'intelligence' over 'risk' supportersCeltic lament 'hugely disappointing' decisionTop two go head-to-head on SundayWHAT HAPPENED?

The two sides meet on Sunday afternoon with Rangers enjoying a four-point lead over their rivals at the top of the league. But the game will now go ahead without away supporters after Rangers say they received intelligence about a number of tickets being purchased by fans perceived to pose a security risk requiring policing to be sourced at late notice.

AdvertisementGettyTHE EXPLANATION

The Ibrox club explained in a statement that they were not prepared to take the risk of allowing fans they deemed a 'risk' to attend a fixture that was not due to have a police presence. After Celtic's refusal to cancel tickets of people deemed to be a threat, Rangers chose to cancel the entire away allocation.

WHAT RANGERS SAID

Rangers announced via their website: "It is with regret that all tickets purchased by Celtic FC supporters for Sunday’s match at Ibrox have sadly had to be cancelled.

"Intelligence received by Rangers and Celtic on Thursday suggested groups of ‘risk’ supporters in a significant number had purchased tickets from the Celtic allocation.

"Rangers called an urgent operational meeting between both clubs and Police Scotland, with Police Scotland indicating they would need to deploy a sizeable resource at short notice as opposed to it initially being a police-free fixture.

"Rangers is committed to ensuring there are away supporters at our matches for both our men’s and women’s teams. However, a unique selling point of the women’s game is the unsegregated, family-friendly atmosphere, with many children attending these matches.

"Taking all of that into account, Rangers’ security team decided it would be unsafe to allow these ‘risk’ supporters into the stadium, and with Celtic unwilling to cancel just their tickets, the decision to cancel all tickets was taken."

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WHAT CELTIC SAID

A Celtic statement read: "It has been confirmed to Celtic Football Club just this morning that all away tickets will be cancelled for tomorrow's women's SWPL match at Ibrox Stadium.

"At a time when so many are working so hard to promote and support the women's game in Scotland, the decision to deny access to so many fans is hugely disappointing, even more so given that there were a number of options available to the home club to allow our fans to safely attend in a stadium of such capacity and given the expected crowd.

"Celtic will liaise with the home club regarding refunds for all tickets and will communicate to our supporters who had purchased tickets as soon as possible.

"We are pleased to inform our supporters that the match will be broadcast at the Sports Bar within Celtic Park tomorrow for any supporters who wish to attend."

Women's World Cup winners and losers: Aitana Bonmati confirms her superstar status as USWNT star Megan Rapinoe's last dance goes wrong

This was a tournament packed with amazing storylines, from surprise packages to shock early exits, but who stood out, for both good and bad reasons?

The 2023 Women's World Cup delivered a tournament like no other, with thrills and spills at every corner as the likes of Germany, Brazil and the United States, winners of the last two editions, all crashed out early on, while teams such as Japan entertained all and co-hosts Australia reached an historic semi-final.

It was a World Cup that saw young stars rise to the fore, with Salma Paralluelo shining for eventual champions Spain, Aoba Fujino putting in some dazzling performances for Japan and Lauren James lighting up the world stage for England.

And it was a tournament that delivered its fair share of memorable games, be it Colombia's incredible win over Germany, South Africa's dramatic triumph over Italy that secured a first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds, or Jamaica's draw against Brazil which allowed them to follow the African champions in booking an historic last-16 spot.

So, who were the biggest winners and losers in Australia and New Zealand? GOAL takes a look…

Getty ImagesWINNER: Jorge Vilda

Spain came into this tournament with so much noise around them. After calls for change within the federation followed last year's European Championship, 15 players withdrew from selection for the national team and only three returned for this World Cup.

That meant they were without stars such as Mapi Leon, widely regarded as the best centre-back in the world; Patri Guijarro, Player of the Match in the Women's Champions League final in June; and Claudia Pina, one of Spain's brightest young talents.

But the federation stuck with head coach Jorge Vilda, despite reporting his 'excessive control' and the players' desire for 'greater demand in training'. Had Spain endured a disappointing World Cup, perhaps greater questions would be asked of that decision in the aftermath. However, their triumph will certainly quieten that noise and benefit Vilda.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Sam Kerr

This was meant to be Sam Kerr's tournament. One of the best players on the planet and the face of the Australia women's national team, this was supposed to be a dream for her, a chance for her to captain her team to levels they'd never before reached, and all on home soil.

In the end, it was a fantastic tournament for the Matildas, who reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history. But for Kerr it will be bittersweet, as a calf injury completely limited her on-pitch involvement in that success.

That team-mate and close friend Steph Catley described her absence from the opening game as "one of the most heart-breaking moments of [her] career" said it all. Kerr did get her moment in the semi-finals, Stadium Australia erupting when her thunderous strike flew over Mary Earps and into the top corner to level the scores against England, and it is a moment that will stick with so many Matildas fans forever.

But she'll be rueing those two missed chances that followed it, before England ran out 3-1 winners. If she'd have been fully fit, instead of that being her first start of the tournament, she'd have probably put them away, too.

GettyWINNER: Africa

This World Cup was an absolutely massive one for Africa, with each of Nigeria, Morocco and South Africa qualifying from really tough groups to reach the last 16.

For Morocco, it was a big nod to the strong work the federation has done investing in women's football and committing to supporting the sport more. The country did a fantastic job at last year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations, both in how it was hosted and that the national team reached the final, and their successful debut at the World Cup was another huge step in the right direction.

Nigeria and South Africa, meanwhile, sent messages to their federations with their performances. Both teams have been surrounded by off-field chaos before, during and after the tournament, but they did their talking on the pitch in Australia and New Zealand, showcasing the wonderful talent they have and the fantastic football they can play.

Hopefully this is the latest sign that women's football is massively on the rise in Africa and there will be more investment and, thus, success stories in the near future.

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Getty ImagesLOSER: Sweden

Sweden have reached the semi-finals in seven of their last nine major tournaments and yet winning one continues to elude them.

The Scandinavian nation have long had an incredible generation of talent, with the likes of Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfo, AC Milan playmaker Kosovare Asllani, and Magdalena Eriksson, the long-time Chelsea captain before her summer switch to Bayern Munich, all in the 23 for this year's World Cup. But getting over the line and getting their hands on a major title continues to be beyond them.

At the weekend, they claimed a third World Cup bronze medal in 12 years to go alongside the two Olympic silver medals they've collected in that same timeframe. They had a real chance to make this final, too, scoring a late equaliser in the last four against Spain, only to lose all that momentum when they conceded the winning goal moments later.

Will they be able to go all the way on these big stages?

CSA alter Sri Lanka visit to create Ram Slam space

Cricket South Africa has altered the schedule for Sri Lanka’s 2016-17 tour to ensure that their international players will be able to appear in the Ram Slam T20 competition during early December

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Feb-2016Cricket South Africa has altered the schedule for Sri Lanka’s 2016-17 tour to ensure that their international players will be able to appear in the Ram Slam T20 competition during early December.The tour will still include three Tests, five ODIs and three T20s, but the most significant change to the itinerary is that the Johannesburg Test will now be held in mid-January rather than mid-December.The Wanderers had originally been due to host the opening Test of the series from December 15-19 but will now stage the third match from January 12-16, meaning the series will begin in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day before the traditional New Year Test in Cape Town.This season the Ram Slam was held from November 1 to December 12 which coincided with the national side being in India and then the start of England’s visit. It meant that star names such as AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada did not make a single appearance in the tournament.There may still be limited time for players who are part of South Africa’s Test side to appear in the Ram Slam as South Africa tour Australia for a four-Test series during November, but the change in the schedule has now freed up much of December for the T20 competition.CSA said that research had suggested moving the Johannesburg Test would help boost attendances – often a concern for Tests in South Africa – but also pinpointed the Ram Slam as a key reason for the change and said future international itineraries would take the T20 event into consideration.Haroon Lorgat, the CSA chief executive, said: “The changes resulted from market research indicating that a Test match would work a lot better in Johannesburg during January plus our desire to keep the first half of December free for the Ram Slam T20 Challenge so that all our Proteas can participate in the tournament. In future years we will design our schedules accordingly.”South Africa face a busy period when they resume international cricket following a gap after the World T20. They begin with a triangular series in West Indies in June, follow that with winter Test matches against New Zealand in August before hosting Australia for a one-day series from the end of September.Then they head to Australia before returning for the rest of the home season against Sri Lanka which is then followed by a tour of New Zealand in February 2017.There will be particular attention on what de Villiers, who is now South Africa’s permanent Test captain, decides to do having cited his workload concerns but also made clear his desire to play in various T20 leagues with the IPL and CPL already in his calendar.

Opinion: Yannick Carrasco deal ticks all the boxes for Arsenal after Dalian Yifang give green light

Arsenal have been in the hunt for loan deals for the entirety of the January window, and with less than 48 hours remaining it seems that they have set their sights on a deal which ticks all the boxes. 

Recent reports have suggested that Arsenal will attempt to force a deal through for Ivan Perisic before the deadline passes, but Inter Milan’s reluctance to let him leave on loan has forced them to turn their attention towards Yannick Carrasco.

Indeed, according to a report from the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal are in talks with Chinese outfit Dalian Yifang over a deal for Carrasco, and the club are willing to let him leave on a short-term loan deal with an option to buy.

The report also reveals that Carrasco is desperate to leave the club and, intriguingly, Arsenal were offered the Belgium international at the beginning of the month but decided against pursuing a deal until now.

Despite the fact Carrasco has fallen off the radar somewhat since he swapped Atletico Madrid for Dalian Yifang, he would be an excellent addition to the squad.

The 25-year-old wing-wizard possesses the versatility to play on both wings, where he can use his speed, tight ball control and direct style of dribbling to excellent effect. His ambidextrous ability makes him a difficult talent to stop in possession of the ball, forcing defenders to second guess his every step.

The fact his parent club are willing to loan him and Carrasco’s personal desire to leave the club suggest that everything is in place for Arsenal to secure a deal, providing an agreement can be reached concerning his wages.

On paper, Carrasco is exactly the type of natural wide man Arsenal have been in the market for this month, and together with Denis Suarez he could inject a new level of dynamism and creativity to ensure the Gunners sneak into the top-four this season.

With 34 Belgium caps, experience playing in two of Europe’s top leagues and a set of attributes which appear well-suited to the demands of the Premier League, Emery could strike gold by clinching a deal for Carrasco before the deadline passes.

Arsenal fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Ultimate Napoli dream team – Maradona and Cavani in, no Higuain

Napoli's all time best XI consists of some all-time greats

Italian giants Napoli have been home to some of the greatest footballers we've ever seen.

Well, if you didn't already know, Diego Maradona once glorified the beautiful city of Naples, and let us assure you that the great Argentine wasn't the only one.

Over the years, some of the most technically gifted footballers have turned out in the famous blue kit of Napoli and today, we attempt at creating the greatest XI in their history!

Getty ImagesGK: Dino Zoff

The only Italian player to have won both a European Championship and a World Cup in his career is Dino Zoff. The legendary shot-stopper joined Napoli from Mantova in 1967 and went on to make 143 Serie A appearances for the club.

Zoff's most impressive career achievements came at Juventus, where he won nine trophies after joining them in 1972.

Three other Napoli goalkeepers deserve recognition too.

First is Ottavio Bugatti. The Italian shot-stopper arrived at Napoli from SPAL in 1953 and made 256 appearances for them until 1961 before joining Inter.

The second goalie is Luciano Castellini. The Italian goalkeeper played 267 games for Torino in all competitions before moving to Napoli in 1978. In Naples, Castellini made 203 appearances for the club in Serie A. He also held the record for going unbeaten for 531 consecutive minutes. This record was later broken by Dino Zoff.

Third would be Pepe Reina. The Spaniard initially joined Napoli on loan from Liverpool in 2013 for a season. Bayern Munich signed him in 2014, but after just one season there, he returned to Naples in 2015, making over a century of appearances for the club until 2018. Reina won the 2013-14 Coppa Italia with Napoli.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Giuseppe Bruscolotti

One of the best players and the captain of Napoli's maiden Serie A title-winning team in 1987, Giuseppe Bruscolotti takes the right-back spot in this dream team.

The defender arrived in Naples from Sorrento in 1972 and stayed at the club for 16 years, making over 500 appearances for the club across all competitions, with 387 of them coming in Serie A.

He won five trophies in Naples, winning a league title, two Coppa Italia trophies and an Anglo-Italian League Cup.

There's a lot of competition for this spot in Napoli's Dream Team as three other players deserve a mention.

First would be Christian Maggio who joined Napoli from Sampdoria in 2008. He spent a decade in Naples, making over 300 appearances and winning two Coppa Italia titles as well as a Supercoppa Italiana.

Secondly, there's Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The Euro 2020-winning right-back joined Napoli from Empoli in 2019 and has made over 120 appearances for the club. He was part of the team which won the 2019-20 Coppa Italia.

And finally, there's Elseid Hysaj. Like Di Lorenzo, Albanian international Hysaj also arrived from Empoli, but in 2015. He stayed in Naples until 2021, making 223 appearances for the club.

Getty ImagesCB: Alessandro Renica

Adept in playing as a sweeper as well as a full-back on occasions, Alessandro Renica won several trophies during his time at Napoli.

The Italian defender joined Napoli from Sampdoria in 1985 and made 136 appearances for the club. His tactical excellence and leadership lead the Naples-based club to win two Serie A titles, a Uefa Cup, a Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa Italiana while he was present in defence.

There are a couple of other centre-backs who could feature here, starting with Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese defender joined Napoli in 2014 and spent eight years at the club before joining Chelsea in 2022. In Naples, he played over 300 games, winning the Supercoppa Italiana in 2014 and the Coppa Italia in 2019-20.

The next centre-back worthy of a mention here is Paolo Cannavaro. The Italian defender graduated from Napoli's academy and even made two senior appearances for them in his first spell before joining Parma in 1999. In 2006, he returned to Napoli and went on to make 236 appearances for the club until 2014, including becoming club captain and helping Napoli being promoted to Serie A in 2007.

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Getty ImagesCB: Moreno Ferrario

Napoli's third-highest appearance maker of all time, Moreno Ferrario joined the club from Varese in 1977, played 311 games for them in Serie A and made close to 400 appearances in all competitions until 1988.

At the club, he helped them win a Serie A title and a Coppa Italia in the 1986-87 season. Ferrario joined Roma in 1988.

Two other stars could also feature in our dream team at centre-back.

First being Raul Albiol. The Spaniard joined Napoli from Real Madrid in 2013 and stayed there for six years, making 180 appearances in Serie A. He won a Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa Italiana during his time there.

Secondly, Hugo Campagnaro arrived in Naples from Sampdoria in 2009 and stayed there until 2013, making 143 appearances for the club in all competitions between 2009 and 2013. He won a Coppa Italia in the 2011-12 season with Napoli.

Premier League Team of the Week: Aguero, Salah and Hazard lead the way

The star trio lead the line after another productive weekend, with the Manchester City and Liverpool forwards closing in on the league scoring lead

GettyMartin Dubravka | NewcastleDubravka made three saves on his Premier League debut for the Magpies, leading them to a 1-0 win over Manchester United.AdvertisementGettyKyle Walker | Manchester CityWalker had more touches (126) and completed more passes (92) than any other Manchester City player in their 5-1 win over Leicester City.GettyJamaal Lascelles | NewcastleLascelles made three blocks and nine clearances in Newcastle's hard-fought win over the Red Devils at St James' Park.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyJames Collins | West HamCollins made 19 clearances while helping preserve West Ham's clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Watford — more than twice as many as any other Hammers player.

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