Napoli, Benitez: "Reinforcing squad for Champions League and for Juve"

The coach: "Me in place of Cavani? He'll be tough to replace. If I'm the top player we're in deep trouble. If we want to do better in the Champions League and Serie A the squad needs strengthening. One thing I can guarantee to you all, to the fans and to the club is that I'll do everything in my power. I'm pleased with Mertens, Callejon and Rafael. These are the type of players we need. Not big names, but players who are important and functional to our type of game"

President De Laurentiis had warmed things up a bit with his morning tweets and then chatting to fans in the stands, talking of looking for new signings, work on the stadium and calling Benitez the "new Cavani". The coach had just started work in Napoli's pre-season training camp in Dimaro and took part, with De Laurentiis by his side in his first press conference from the driving seat, as he chatted away to the press.

"I'll give it everything" — The coach was pleased with how well things had got started at Napoli: "I have seen that all of the players are ready and willing, and prepared to work hard out on the pitch. So we have got off on the right foot. Me the new Cavani? I hope I'm not the top player, rather the top manager. If it turns out I'm the top player, we are in big trouble. One thing I can tell you, the fans and the club in all honesty, is that I'll do all that is in my power. I'm pleased with Mertens, Callejon and Rafael. These are the players we need. They are not big names, but are important players and crucial to our style of play."

cavani — Regarding Cavani, Benitez had this to say: "For the time being he is on our books until the holidays are over. We are looking for a striker so we can score more goals than we did last year, with or without Cavani, but as a whole. I repeat that Cavani still plays for us and it won't be easy to find another Cavani easily. We'll be looking for a player with different characteristics but who is a quality player at the same time. I have spoken to Cavani. We sent each other six texts. Now I have to get down to work and see what's happening on the transfer market."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE — With his objectives in mind it was inevitable that new signings were mentioned: "This year we are in the Champions League. Our aim must be to have a squad strong enough to deal with Europe with two or three further options open. We want to do well in all the competitions we take part in. And we want to compete at the level of Juventus for the top spot just like last season. In order to succeed in Serie A and the Champions League we need valid alternatives in all areas of the pitch. We need both a plan A and a plan B."

insigne — The Azzurri youth player was spotted by the coach during the European Under-21 Championships: "At the moment I'm testing him out on the left and on the right. I want Insigne and Mertens to be able to alternate on the right wing and the left wing, because they can play well in any part of the pitch and they are both extremely important for us."