“Naples has always been marginalised by the rest of Italy. It is a city that suffers the most unfair racism,” said Diego Maradona. When he played for Napoli in the more prosperous northern cities like Milan and Turin, he and his team-mates would be subjected to banners reading ‘Welcome to Italy’; ‘Napoli, cholera sufferers’ or ‘Vesuvius, wash them with fire’.
For players cast aside by Manchester City and Manchester United, however, Napoli has become a safe haven. It was the first choice destination for Kevin De Bruyne after he was forced out of City by Pep Guardiola after a glorious decade and he has gotten off to a flying start there, with two goals in three games.
Rasmus Hojlund, who was kicked out of United after the arrival of Benjamin Sesko despite wanting to stay, made a dream start to his loan spell with a well-taken goal and a fine all round performance in Napoli’s 3-1 win at Fiorentina on Saturday.
Then there is Scott McTominay, who has not just found safety in Naples from the chaos of United, but a platform to relaunch his career as a talismanic goal-machine, firing his new team to the Italian title, being named Serie A’s player of the season and then being nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
The trio will be returning to their former home on Thursday to take on City in Napoli’s Champions League opener and they will be keen show they are reaping the benefits of La Dolce Vita…