May the 4th is known by many as Star Wars day. However in the city of Naples fans of the Gli Azurri were celebrating their first Serie A title since the Diego Maradona days back in the 1989/90 season. However just 9 months later and Napoli’s title defence has crumbled as they sit in 7th. Outside the Champions League spots which they too crashed out of against a young Barcelona.

The Diego Maradona stadium too has changed. The stadium where dreams were made last season has turned into a cauldron of discontent. Napoli- known for its diehard fans and ultras are angry at the sides performances over the season. Losses to rivals such as Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma have further fuelled anger.

Napoli last season were seen as outliers last season for a Scudetto charge. However a dominant season saw them finish 1st on 90 points. Since then they have lost title winning manager Luciano Spalletti to manage the Italian national team. Who was replaced by Rudi Garcia, who lasted only 136 days before being shown the door. In November Walter Mazzarri replaced him before being sacked in February for current manager Francesco Calzona. The chop and change of managers as well as losing one of Napoli’s most loved managers in Spalletti has not boded well for the Cuicciarrelli this season.

Napoli’s side from last season is largely unaffected from last year. Interest over the summer for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia yielded no big money transfers. However Napoli lost a key defensive component. Kim Min-Jae’s transfer to Bayern Munich for £50 million in the summer hit Napoli hard defensively. Especially when we consider he wasn’t adequately replaced and this season Napoli have conceded in 23 out of 29 games this season.

This added on to Napoli’s forward line not matching their xg with their actual goals scored -0.34 worse than their expected goals (second worse in league). Has lead to a underperformance from the whole side. Napoli’s new signing have also failed to kick on with Raspadori only scoring 4 in 29. Fellow signing Lindstrøm has also failed to register a goal or assist in 19 appearances. The new signings have been poor so far especially with the fact the two cost over 50 million euros combined.

It remains to be seen what will come of Napoli’s season with them 6 points away from 5th and the Europa League spots they have the chance to turn it around and gain European football. However with strong interest to star striker Victor Osimhen from teams such as Arsenal- who should be able to promise Champions League football. And Chelsea who can offer security with bumper wages. It will be impressive if Napoli can keep hold on their talisman striker. Kvaratskhelia could also be on the move with links to clubs all over Europe. If Napoli were to lose these players it would be for huge sums of money- reinvest that well and Napoli’s 23/24 season could be seen as only a blip for the Italian powerhouse.