Spalletti: ‘Raspadori needs to play more’ for Napoli and Italy | OneFootball

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti warns Napoli that Giacomo Raspadori ‘needs to play more’ in order to give his best for club and country.

The 24-year-old has made eight appearances for his team so far this season, contributing one assist, but only two of those were Serie A starts.

He has grown increasingly frustrated and Spalletti has every sympathy for the versatile forward.

“The lad is absolutely right. In order to show his real quality, he needs to play more,” said Spalletti on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

Now the coach of Italy, Spalletti had also been in charge of Napoli and oversaw their Scudetto triumph with Raspadori an integral part of that squad.

Raspadori seen as Italy and Napoli alternative

Italy’s forward #18 Giacomo Raspadori celebrates with teammates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP) (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Some of the former Sassuolo forward’s career has been hindered by his sheer versatility, although it is a characteristic that Spalletti admires.

“Raspadori’s great strength is that he can adapt to various contexts and the game that you put him into. He is still lacking a bit of physicality, but he also knows how to make up for that.”

Antonio Conte is on the Napoli bench now and looking more towards very physical centre-forwards like Romelu Lukaku.

They are top of the Serie A table, albeit by just one point ahead of the leading pack in a tight Scudetto race.

“My past at Napoli will always be in my heart,” concluded Spalletti.

“Now there is a strong squad with a great coach and exceptional fans. They have all the elements required to get back to the top.”