Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli Player

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

To be fair, going to somewhere for 6 weeks is not the same as living there. You were also not a housebound superstar when you spent time there, I'd imagine.

Spending 6 weeks in an Italian City with an Italian family, working for an Italian company, going to every Napoli home match, is most certainly ‘living there’. I wasn’t a tourist.

I’ve spent a total of (probably) 100 weeks in France but would never suggest I’ve lived there.

Napoli players are not housebound. You see them all the time. If you’re from Naples, or have properly lived there (I didn’t), I’ll defer. But players are not mobbed. They walk about town, grab coffee on the street and it’s nothing like London or Manchester and certainly nothing like Madrid.

 

[Andrade]

Spending 6 weeks in an Italian City with an Italian family, working for an Italian company, going to every Napoli home match, is most certainly ‘living there’. I wasn’t a tourist.

I’ve spent a total of (probably) 100 weeks in France but would never suggest I’ve lived there.

Napoli players are not housebound. You see them all the time. If you’re from Naples, or have properly lived there (I didn’t), I’ll defer. But players are not mobbed. They walk about town, grab coffee on the street and it’s nothing like London or Manchester and certainly nothing like Madrid.

I'm not, I don't pretend to know anything about it. But six weeks is just a very short time. And I doubt VO and Kvara (who are not just run of the mill Napoli players) just walk around like normal people in the city. But if you know different then fair enough.

 

[FrankFoot]

But he isn't better than Mahrez at his peak.

That's the point, he just turned 22 in February, nobody outside of France knew who was Mahrez at that age.

Mahrez became noticeable once he won the league with Leicester, when he was 26.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

I'm not, I don't pretend to know anything about it. But six weeks is just a very short time. And I doubt VO and Kvara (who are not just run of the mill Napoli players) just walk around like normal people in the city. But if you know different then fair enough.

You can doubt it all you like. But I routinely saw Cavani and Koulibali while I was there, just sauntering about, without drama. People would gesture and point, but there were no throngs of fans clamouring for photos. It’s just not something that they accepted as people in the area that I was. They were just grabbing coffee and drinking (and smoking) like normal humans. Fair go, I was in a great apartment in what would have almost certainly been a great area of the city. And the players couldn’t have walked from home to the Armando on match day. They wouldn’t have walked a mile inside a hour. But day to day it was just universally accepted that you don’t be a dick.

It felt like a place that people freely litter (like Naples) and a place that they don’t (Singapore). The local society just acts in a way that teaches all others to behave accordingly.

I promise you that the people of Napoli are absolutely mental in all the stereotypical ways, but I witnessed the current darlings of the City just swanning around. It was really odd.

I suspect it’s why players stay as long as they do.

Cue resident Napoli fans coming in right now to declare I lived in a posh spot and that most areas none of this is possible.

 

[Andrade]

You can doubt it all you like. But I routinely saw Cavani and Koulibali while I was there, just sauntering about, without drama. People would gesture and point, but there were no throngs of fans clamouring for photos. It’s just not something that they accepted as people in the area that I was. They were just grabbing coffee and drinking (and smoking) like normal humans. Fair go, I was in a great apartment in what would have almost certainly been a great area of the city. And the players couldn’t have walked from home to the Armando on match day. They wouldn’t have walked a mile inside a hour. But day to day it was just universally accepted that you don’t be a dick.

It felt like a place that people freely litter (like Naples) and a place that they don’t (Singapore). The local society just acts in a way that teaches all others to behave accordingly.

I promise you that the people of Napoli are absolutely mental in all the stereotypical ways, but I witnessed the current darlings of the City just swanning around. It was really odd.

I suspect it’s why players stay as long as they do.

Cue resident Napoli fans coming in right now to declare I lived in a posh spot and that most areas none of this is possible.

Ok, interesting stuff

 

[Andrade]

But he isn't better than Mahrez at his peak.

Yeah he is

 

[zaafi]

Yeah he is

In what world is Kvaratskhelia currently better than Mahrez at his best? He's not even close yet.

 

[Lay]

You can doubt it all you like. But I routinely saw Cavani and Koulibali while I was there, just sauntering about, without drama. People would gesture and point, but there were no throngs of fans clamouring for photos. It’s just not something that they accepted as people in the area that I was. They were just grabbing coffee and drinking (and smoking) like normal humans. Fair go, I was in a great apartment in what would have almost certainly been a great area of the city. And the players couldn’t have walked from home to the Armando on match day. They wouldn’t have walked a mile inside a hour. But day to day it was just universally accepted that you don’t be a dick.

It felt like a place that people freely litter (like Naples) and a place that they don’t (Singapore). The local society just acts in a way that teaches all others to behave accordingly.

I promise you that the people of Napoli are absolutely mental in all the stereotypical ways, but I witnessed the current darlings of the City just swanning around. It was really odd.

I suspect it’s why players stay as long as they do.

Cue resident Napoli fans coming in right now to declare I lived in a posh spot and that most areas none of this is possible.

I’ve only visited a few times but I concur. I saw a couple of Napoli players around and they were left to it. The city and people are amazing, I’m planning another trip very soon

 

[Andrade]

In what world is Kvaratskhelia currently better than Mahrez at his best? He's not even close yet.

Haha, Mahrez is not even that good. You're acting like peak Mahrez is the second coming of Zico or something.

 

[Pass and Move]

Kvaratskhelia is a better player than OGS, and has nothing to envy from Mahrez, he is much better than Mahrez was at the same age.

It’s like you replied my post having only read every other word of it

 

[zaafi]

Haha, Mahrez is not even that good. You're acting like peak Mahrez is the second coming of Zico or something.

I imagine you laughed while writing this. I'm not acting like he's the second coming of Zico, I'm acting like at his peak he is a better player than Kvaratskhelia currently is. Kvaratskhelia obviously has insane potential, but let's not forget the respective leagues these two have performed in. Mahrez' best season statistically, where Leicester won the league, he had 17 goals and 11 assists. Khvicha currently has 12 goals and 10 assists in a much weaker league, playing for a more dominant team compared to what Leicester did when they won. These stats are obviously very good, but you're wetting yourself over these but not Mahrez' stats? I think you're severely underrating him and his influence on the teams he's played for.

There are two things with Kvaratskhelia that worry me if he were to play in the Premier League, and that is his lack of strength and lack of pace. This is the exact same case for Sancho in Bundesliga. He had absurd stats for a young player and nearly everyone assumed he was going to be the next big thing, but he hasn't worked out at United. Now, this may not be the case for Kvaratskhelia but lacking both strength and pace in Premier League is something to keep in mind if we were to sign him. Extremely joyful and exciting player to watch, though. Absolutely love him.

 

[VorZakone]

Yeah he is

Nope, and that's not a shame for Kvara.

Mahrez in 2015/16 was unreal.

 

[Pintu]

Mahrez' best season statistically, where Leicester won the league, he had 17 goals and 11 assists. Khvicha currently has 12 goals and 10 assists in a much weaker league, playing for a more dominant team compared to what Leicester did when they won.

This statement is ridiculous. The PL of the years 2014-2017 was barely better than Serie A back then. And they were both definitely much weaker than 22/23 Serie A. There were dreadful defences everywhere… retired J Defoe scored as often as Mahrez in that “wonder season”..

 

[Red the Bear]

In what world is Kvaratskhelia currently better than Mahrez at his best? He's not even close yet.

Dare I say he already is, it'll become more evident when and if napoli triumph in the cl which is not so far fetched now.

 

[Andrade]

Nope, and that's not a shame for Kvara.

Mahrez in 2015/16 was unreal.

I mean he really wasn't 'unreal' unless you want to cheapen that word a little bit

 

[Andrade]

I imagine you laughed while writing this. I'm not acting like he's the second coming of Zico, I'm acting like at his peak he is a better player than Kvaratskhelia currently is. Kvaratskhelia obviously has insane potential, but let's not forget the respective leagues these two have performed in. Mahrez' best season statistically, where Leicester won the league, he had 17 goals and 11 assists. Khvicha currently has 12 goals and 10 assists in a much weaker league, playing for a more dominant team compared to what Leicester did when they won. These stats are obviously very good, but you're wetting yourself over these but not Mahrez' stats? I think you're severely underrating him and his influence on the teams he's played for.

There are two things with Kvaratskhelia that worry me if he were to play in the Premier League, and that is his lack of strength and lack of pace. This is the exact same case for Sancho in Bundesliga. He had absurd stats for a young player and nearly everyone assumed he was going to be the next big thing, but he hasn't worked out at United. Now, this may not be the case for Kvaratskhelia but lacking both strength and pace in Premier League is something to keep in mind if we were to sign him. Extremely joyful and exciting player to watch, though. Absolutely love him.

Stats won't help you. If Mahrez was so good then why was he playing in Ligue 2 and for Leicester until he was 27? Yeah he played very well in Leicester's title winning season but he's no world beater FFS. Kvaratskhelia is already a better player than him IMO and I don't even think that's saying much.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

I’ve only visited a few times but I concur. I saw a couple of Napoli players around and they were left to it. The city and people are amazing, I’m planning another trip very soon

It’s like nowhere else in Europe with regards to the City-Football connection. Marseille is close. But their fans turn on players like Madrid fans do.

Napoli fans don’t seem to. They also SEEM to dodge the racist elements of other Italian teams. Could be wrong. I assume it’s because they’ve had lots of great players of colour to play for them. But maybe they’re just as bad as most Italian Ultras and I didn’t see it.

 

[Andrade]

It’s like nowhere else in Europe with regards to the City-Football connection. Marseille is close. But their fans turn on players like Madrid fans do.

Napoli fans don’t seem to. They also SEEM to dodge the racist elements of other Italian teams. Could be wrong. I assume it’s because they’ve had lots of great players of colour to play for them. But maybe they’re just as bad as most Italian Ultras and I didn’t see it.

Now you're really pushing the boat out there

 

[Andrade]

Dare I say he already is, it'll become more evident when and if napoli triumph in the cl which is not so far fetched now.

What's there to be daring about? I've been watching Mahrez for years, I must have missed the bit where he was the world's best player or whatever peeps here think he is.

Re your other point, Napoli certainly have a great chance to reach the final. Where they will clearly be beaten by a Mahrez hattrick, knowing my luck in these debates

 

[Andy_Cole]

Spending 6 weeks in an Italian City with an Italian family, working for an Italian company, going to every Napoli home match, is most certainly ‘living there’. I wasn’t a tourist.

I’ve spent a total of (probably) 100 weeks in France but would never suggest I’ve lived there.

Napoli players are not housebound. You see them all the time. If you’re from Naples, or have properly lived there (I didn’t), I’ll defer. But players are not mobbed. They walk about town, grab coffee on the street and it’s nothing like London or Manchester and certainly nothing like Madrid.

To be fair the villages in Manchester are like this. I see Varane all the time at my gym. See United players in Hale offer. Same thing as you described in Naples.

 

[Red the Bear]

What's there to be daring about? I've been watching Mahrez for years, I must have missed the bit where he was the world's best player or whatever peeps here think he is.

Re your other point, Napoli certainly have a great chance to reach the final. Where they will clearly be beaten by a Mahrez hattrick, knowing my luck in these debates

I'm just erring on the side of caution on the account of Mahrez having larger sample size playing at a top level but others I'd agree, I'd say kvra's top level as demonstrated this season has already surpassed whatever Mahrez has ever produced.

And hopefully you won't be that unlucky

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Now you're really pushing the boat out there

I might be. I didn’t witness racist abuse of their own players, or opposition players, but my Italian is dogshite.

I know that the Milan clubs and Roma have had huge issues. Might just be a case that they’re ‘bigger’ clubs and make the news all the time.

Napoli Ultras are awful and have a huge hooligan element. But it seems to be grounded in abject anti establishment/ anarchism rather than far right race purity shit that dogs Italian grounds.

Again, to be clear… I am willing to be wrong there. And accept I may well be.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Stats won't help you. If Mahrez was so good then why was he playing in Ligue 2 and for Leicester until he was 27? Yeah he played very well in Leicester's title winning season but he's no world beater FFS. Kvaratskhelia is already a better player than him IMO and I don't even think that's saying much.

If you look at the poster's comment history, you'll see a pattern of him claiming that a current or ex City player is/was better than x player. At this rate, don't be surprised to see him commenting on the Victor Osimhen thread arguing that peak Shaun Goater was a better player.

 

[MassVolto]

Napoli players are not housebound. You see them all the time. If you’re from Naples, or have properly lived there (I didn’t), I’ll defer. But players are not mobbed. They walk about town, grab coffee on the street and it’s nothing like London or Manchester and certainly nothing like Madrid.

Hamsik got robbed twice though...

 

[zaafi]

If you look at the poster's comment history, you'll see a pattern of him claiming that a current or ex City player is/was better than x player. At this rate, don't be surprised to see him commenting on the Victor Osimhen thread arguing that peak Shaun Goater was a better player.

Oh my god.. you again You got a hard on for me, mate I didn't bring up Mahrez here, it was just a discussion between Mahrez and Kvaratskhelia. Can you stop bothering me please? I'd like to have discussions with other posters in here without you constantly on my back. It's honestly really tiring so if you could ignore me that would be great.
I even got you a like for that. Laughable

Stats won't help you. If Mahrez was so good then why was he playing in Ligue 2 and for Leicester until he was 27? Yeah he played very well in Leicester's title winning season but he's no world beater FFS. Kvaratskhelia is already a better player than him IMO and I don't even think that's saying much.

What do you mean stats won't help me? Stats don't matter? Kanté was playing in Ligue 2 at the same age Mahrez was. Footballers don't follow the same linear progression, as also witnessed with Jamie Vardy. Wanna remind me what age Cantona came to United too?

I'm just erring on the side of caution on the account of Mahrez having larger sample size playing at a top level but others I'd agree, I'd say kvra's top level as demonstrated this season has already surpassed whatever Mahrez has ever produced.

Interesting call. How so, if I may ask? What has Kvaratskhelia done this season that Mahrez hasn't done, and what is he able to do that Mahrez isn't?

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

To be fair the villages in Manchester are like this. I see Varane all the time at my gym. See United players in Hale offer. Same thing as you described in Naples.

Fair point. But it’s probably not the case for United players wandering through the centre of town. Largely in part to the media culture here.

Amsterdam was much the same. Go to a decent restaurant there and you see Ajax players just chilling with no drama.

 

[MassVolto]

I might be. I didn’t witness racist abuse of their own players, or opposition players, but my Italian is dogshite.

I know that the Milan clubs and Roma have had huge issues. Might just be a case that they’re ‘bigger’ clubs and make the news all the time.

Enlighten me with sources about these issues concerning us(Milan)??

 

[BuzzKillington]

To be fair the villages in Manchester are like this. I see Varane all the time at my gym. See United players in Hale offer. Same thing as you described in Naples.

Was going to say the same.

Edit: and also sat at the bar next to David Silva at Alberts Schloss in town. Nice bloke.

 

[Andrade]

I might be. I didn’t witness racist abuse of their own players, or opposition players, but my Italian is dogshite.

I know that the Milan clubs and Roma have had huge issues. Might just be a case that they’re ‘bigger’ clubs and make the news all the time.

Napoli Ultras are awful and have a huge hooligan element. But it seems to be grounded in abject anti establishment/ anarchism rather than far right race purity shit that dogs Italian grounds.

Again, to be clear… I am willing to be wrong there. And accept I may well be.

At least you didn't personally witness anything, hopefully that's a good sign.

 

[Andrade]

If you look at the poster's comment history, you'll see a pattern of him claiming that a current or ex City player is/was better than x player. At this rate, don't be surprised to see him commenting on the Victor Osimhen thread arguing that peak Shaun Goater was a better player.

Ah noted.

 

[zaafi]

Ah noted.

 

[Real Name]

If you look at the poster's comment history, you'll see a pattern of him claiming that a current or ex City player is/was better than x player. At this rate, don't be surprised to see him commenting on the Victor Osimhen thread arguing that peak Shaun Goater was a better player.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this.

 

[zaafi]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this.

But it doesn't change the fact that it's correct. If a poster claims Henry is better than RvN or Gabriel Jesus better than Weghorst, are you going to say he's wrong?

 

[Real Name]

But it doesn't change the fact that it's correct. If a poster claims Henry is better than RvN or Gabriel Jesus better than Weghorst, are you going to say he's wrong?

Why dont you just come out and admit you're a Bert?

 

[tenpoless]

But can he do it without goatee and moustache though

 

[zaafi]

Why dont you just come out and admit you're a Bert?

I don't even know what a "Bert" is Didn't answer my question, though, but I guess I can't expect that from someone whose last 4 posts are about me being a City fan for saying De Bruyne and David Silva are better than Bruno

 

[Real Name]

I don't even know what a "Bert" is Didn't answer my question, though, but I guess I can't expect that from someone whose last 4 posts are about me being a City fan for saying De Bruyne and David Silva are better than Bruno

I bet you have an alarm every time a City player is mentioned in this place.

 

[Pascal Quiff]

Are people genuinely claiming that Mahrez was anything other than exceptional, the season Leicester won the league? He was fantastic creatively and a massive reason that they won the thing. Yes, other teams were below their usual best but his output and influence was still clear to see. If he was playing like that today, in a United shirt, there would be threads in here putting him up there in the bracket just below Mbappe and Haaland.

 

[Andrade]

Are people genuinely claiming that Mahrez was anything other than exceptional, the season Leicester won the league? He was fantastic creatively and a massive reason that they won the thing. Yes, other teams were below their usual best but his output and influence was still clear to see. If he was playing like that today, in a United shirt, there would be threads in here putting him up there in the bracket just below Mbappe and Haaland.

Maybe, but it would still be a biased and wrong opinion.

 

[Bebestation]

Why does he only have 2 goals zero assists in the CL. Has he had pre assists and had good performances?

Except say against Frankfurt?