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NAPOLI WELCOMES GUTIÉRREZ, ALTERNATIVE TO OLIVERA

From the Real Madrid academy to excelling with Girona, the Spanish full-back will bring assists, technique and attacking threat to challenge for the Uruguayan’s spot on Conte’s left side.

Napoli’s quest for reinforcement in this transfer window is showing no signs of stopping, and ahead of the new season they are steadily progressing to their goal of building a complete, competitive squad, with two top-level players available in every position. After the arrivals of Milinković-Savić in goal, Beukema in defence, De Bruyne in midfield and Noa Lang and Lucca in attack, their sporting director Manna has gone fishing for a left-back in La Liga: Miguel Gutiérrez, formerly of Girona, will join the Azzurri.

From Real Madrid’s academy to playing in La Liga

Born in Madrid in 2001, Gutiérrez had his first footballing experiences in Getafe’s youth sector before, at just ten years old, joining Real Madrid’s ranks. In their academy, he won the Youth League, eliminating both Juve and Inter in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively, making his marking with a last-minute winner against Gonçalo Ramos’ Benfica. Zidane gave him his La Liga debut in April 2021, and just a few months later, he made his first start in the Champions League against FC Sheriff Tiraspol. He made ten total appearances for Los Blancos before moving to Girona in the Summer of 2022. In Catalonia, he became a regular starter right away, and in the second year, he was a key part of Girona’s historic achievement of 3rd place in La Liga, getting seven assists and two goals in 35 appearances, and earning the opportunity to play in the Champions League once again. He is saying goodbye to Girona after three years, having racked up 112 appearances, six goals and 19 assists.

For Spain, he has made his way up through all the youth teams, and last year he won a gold medal in Paris, with 5 appearances and a goal scored against the Dominican Republic.

What Gutiérrez will bring to Napoli: quality, technique and crosses

His role is clear: Gutiérrez will be an alternative to Mathías Olivera on the left wing of Antonio Conte’s signature 4-3-3. But, if he opts for three at the back, the Spaniard can easily adapt as a wing-back, just like he has already done in Catalonia. His trademark is his attacking threat: his personality, technique and vision means that assists come so naturally to him. His crosses and threaded passes have set up top strikers like Dovbyk and Stuani at Girona, while his pace on the ball and ability in tight spaces also make him a valuable asset in the final third. With the signing of the Spanish full-back, Conte will be able to alternate two different types of players throughout the season: while Olivera is more physical and defence-minded, the Spaniard is more technical and attacking. It’s a duo that gives Conte more options and will undoubtedly boost Napoli’s left side. (Photo IG SSC Napoli + Getty Images)