Former Chinese national team coach Massimiliano Maddaloni, who recommended Napoli to sign Kim Min-jae, pointed out that it was a mistake for Napoli to set a buyout for Kim Min-jae.
He went on to say that he recommended a Japanese defender to Napoli as Kim’s successor.
According to Italy’s ‘Arena Napoli’ on the 29th, Maddaloni said, “Napoli’s biggest mistake was to accept the buyout that Kim Min-jae’s side wanted,” adding, “Kim Min-jae is one of the best center backs in the world. Considering the amount of the buyout, it’s not surprising that other teams would come after him. He is the player Napoli are most likely to lose.”
After playing for Jeonbuk Hyundai and Beijing Guoan before joining Turkkiye Fenerbahçe last season to challenge for a place on the European stage, Kim has attracted a lot of attention in the transfer market after becoming a key defender in just one season.
Stade Rennes in France and Napoli in Italy were narrowed down to two finalists, and Kim chose Napoli. During this process, it was Maddaloni who recommended Kim to Napoli. Having assisted Marcello Lippi at Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) winners Guangzhou Hengda (now Guangzhou FC) more than a decade ago, he followed Lippi to the Chinese national team, where he also coached.
During his time in China, he spotted Kim Min-jae, who had played for the South Korean national team, Jeonbuk Hyundai and Beijing Guoan.
On Maddaloni’s recommendation, Napoli signed Kim Min-jae and it was a huge success. They utilized Kim’s strengths, such as his height to control aerial balls and his speed to cover the back four.
He was able to lift the defense to a higher position, allowing them to attack more easily. Napoli, who hadn’t won a title since the 1989/90 season, returned to the top of the league for the first time in 33 years this season, setting records for most goals scored and fewest goals conceded.
Kim Min-jae, who played a key role, has become a coveted player for big clubs. English giants Manchester United, Manchester City, and Newcastle United have also shown interest in Kim. The likes of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked.먹튀검증
Kim’s buyout clause is reportedly £40 million (approximately $65 billion). This is a bargain considering his performances this season. Napoli are in danger of losing Kim to big clubs.
“It will be difficult to find a second Kim,” Maddaloni said. It’s almost impossible to find another player with the same characteristics,” he said, predicting that Napoli will have a hard time finding a replacement.
“There are many cheap but excellent players in the K League and J League. “I advised Napoli to keep an eye on both leagues,” he said, and highly recommended targeting the Asian market. In particular, he recommended a Japanese defender who plays in the European League to Napoli president Christian Giuntoli, indicating that Kim Min-jae’s replacement could be a Japanese defender.