Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis should consider casting midfielder Stanislav Lobotka in the main role for a football themed sequel to Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The omnipresent Slovak defensive shield has proved peerless in this or any other universe throughout a memorable season for the Gli Azzurri.
You wouldn’t put anything past film producer De Laurentiis.
He famously introduced Gokhan Inler in a lion’s mask at an introductory press conference, launched a calendar with some of the Napoli squad bare chested in loincloths and released stunning, opinion dividing Halloween and Valentine’s Day themed shirts.
The unflashy Lobotka doesn’t seek the limelight yet continues to be one of the unheralded stars of the Partenopei’s spectacular campaign in Serie A and Europe.
A barrage of largely meaningless statistics – think average apex height and average absolute width – often fail to quantify just how much of a contribution an individual can make to enhance a team.
Without delving into the overly complicated world of meticulous analytics the Slovak’s performances suggest he can be classified in a category of his own this term.
There is no count on the number of nimble twists and delicate shifts in direction the 28-year-old has made to perpetually flummox and outmanouevre midfield opponents.
It’s also difficult to adequately measure the lightning surges of speed or the way the former Celta Vigo player uses his physique to make vital interceptions, close down space and constantly evade challenges.
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by the Napoli tifosi.
Lobokta stands in the middle of the current starting line-up in full size photo form in the city’s famous Quartieri Spagnoli area.
It’s rare to see the midfielder in a static position.
Despite his relatively small stature the relentless Lobotka has rendered the very best in the continent helpless and stationary.
He will never attract the same type of attention as the superstar duo of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but without him Napoli would have to alter their entire tactical approach.
Coach Luciano Spalletti is a paid up member of the Lobotka fan club and outlined his unique attributes in the aftermath of the Partenopei’s two goal win at Empoli.
Deceptively strong and with a ceaseless determination to track back and regain possession the midfielder is the epitome of perseverance.
Irreplaceable and undroppable, it wasn’t always a sea of positivity for the midfielder.
Signed for €24 million in January 2020 from Celta, it was only in the latter part of last term that he could be regarded as a first-team mainstay. Patience and persistence paid off for a player who was destined to play in Italy.
Spalletti wanted to bring Lobotka to San Siro while coach at Inter but was hampered by budgetary restrictions dictated by Financial Fair Play rules.
Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli stepped in and sealed a deal which now looks like a relative bargain.
The Slovak was rewarded for his outstanding displays last November with a salary increase and contract extension until 2027.
As inflated player values laughably skyrocket the Partenopei tifosi don’t need to worry about Lobotka going anywhere. Nothing will stop the sensational tales of Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia potentially departing with eye watering figures attached.
The inane chatter is an unwanted distraction as the Gli Azzurri sweep all before them in a campaign of breathtaking dominance. De Laurentiis has made it clear he doesn’t have to sell anyone regardless of how it would boost the club’s balance sheet.
In the made up fantasy land of transfer estimates Lobotka is now worth anything north of €70 million – which is still some distance away from the ridiculous €121 million Chelsea paid for Argentinian World Cup winner Enzo Fernández.
As Napoli close in on a historic first title in 33 years the contribution of the often uncredited Slovak has been priceless.
This article was featured on the Football Italia website on March 2, 2023.
Stephen Kasiewicz 