We say Napoli, we mean Maradona. The history of the club from Naples is inextricably linked with the great Argentinean. It was he who brought Napoli two championships. After 33 years, the Scudetto may return to southern Italy. Now the key role in this campaign belongs to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Sport talks about the heir to Maradona.
From the RPL to the ATalant Series, Kvaratskhelia was noticed back in the Georgian Championship. In the “Locomotive” and “Ruby” the level of potential was not questioned. In Kazan, Khvicha shone, pulled the team into European competitions and attracted the attention of European top clubs. However, not the most successful season-2021/22 slightly cooled the admirers. Therefore, many were skeptical about the transfer to Napoli. It seemed that the gap in the level between the RPL and Serie A would become a problem.
Khvicha, in the first two matches, scored three times and made an assist. Then there were balls against Lazio and Torino, an assist in a rout over Liverpool and a 2+2 against Ajax.
In 2023, Kvaratskhelia continued to tear. He helped Napoli destroy Juventus 5-1 (a goal and two assists), break away from second place by 18 points in the championship and reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
Georgian instantly fell in love with the Italian audience and earned the nickname Quaradona, directly indicating a connection with the best football player in the history of the team. No one expected such a season from Khvichi. Yes, he scored in the RPL, but much less. Probably, Luciano Spalletti helped him to make such a breakthrough, he found the ideal role for Kvaratskhelia.
Ball and partners Napoli are much more focused on ball control (60% possession) than other clubs in Serie A. This fundamentally distinguishes the new Khvichi team from the old one. “Ruby” with a Georgian in the composition, on average, had only 49% of the ownership. At Slutsky, the players defended a lot and deeply and did not seek to attack positionally. Spalletti, in Napoli, does nothing but attack. Front row players get the ball much more often and can sharpen up.
The main role in the attack falls on the shoulders of partners. They control the ball, organize attacks and create chances for the same Khvichi. This factor is often not taken into account when a player moves to a stronger championship. They talk a lot about the level of resistance, but no one remembers the high skill of teammates. In Naples, for Kvaratskhelia, they perform tasks that in Rubin the Georgian often had to solve on his own.
Betting on control not only allows attacking players to get the ball close to the opponent's goal more often, but also takes less energy from them. After all, it is much less likely to have to step back. Kvaratskhelia in Rubin did not just return to the defense — he was partly assigned to organize attacks. Khvicha regularly started dribbling in the center of the field and dragged the ball to someone else's penalty area. Of course, in the final stage, the efficiency fell.
At Napoli, attacks are organized by central midfielders. Khvicha is connected only in the final stage. He has much fewer strokes (RPL — 12-15 per match, Serie A — nine). The effectiveness of pranks also decreased (55% vs. 46%). This is logical, because now Kvaratskhelia dribbles closer to the opponent's goal, where the density of resistance is higher. But the talent to beat is used with greater benefit for the team.
A new role and space Kvaratskhelia has transformed from a creator into a finisher. Now he does not have to drag the ball from the flank to be in a shock position. Partners will deliver it themselves. Khvicha began to beat much more. In an incomplete season in Italy, he landed almost as many shots as in the last two years in the RPL. The proportion of «shots» from the penalty area has also increased significantly.
Partners are creating space for Kvaratskhelia, which the Georgians successfully use. He does not just get chances near the penalty area, but does it in convenient situations. To do this, the ball is regularly brought to Khvichi after turning the attack from the opposite side of the field. The opponent cannot quickly rebuild, so the Georgians often remain against one or two opponents. In such a situation, getting into position for a strike is not difficult.
In addition, Kvaratskhelia hits the touchdown much more often. He has 25% of such strikes this season. In «Ruby» this figure was much lower. Napoli often play on the right flank, and Khvicha comes into the box to finish the attack after the cross.
Spalletti did everything to squeeze the maximum out of Kvaratskhelia. The coach changed the role of the Georgian midfielder, which allowed the talent to fully reveal itself. Khvicha is currently second in Serie A in the goal+pass system, second only to teammate Victor Osimhen. It is not surprising that three giants claim the football player at once — Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. However, according to media reports, the new club will have to pay about 180 million euros for Kwara.
Georgians, of course, have a lot to learn. After all, half of the merit in his success belongs to the coach and partners. However, what Kvaratskhelia is showing now should be enough to return the Scudetto to Naples. Then Khvicha will forever be able to become Quaradona — a worthy heir to the great Argentinean.