20. Marek Hamšík

Marek Hamšík has 113 goals in 452 appearances for Napoli, only 2 goals away from Diego Maradona’s record. He is Slovakia’s second most capped player and is their third top goalscorer. You have to bear in mind he is a midfielder. He possesses cult status for club and country and when you watch him play football you see why. He is able to win a game on his own due to his tenacity and desire to win and make something happen, he carries all the burden for his national team and he was amazing in Euro 2016. He gave a midfield masterclass vs. Russia allowing Slovakia to progress to the next round and he was one of Napoli’s best players in their Champions League campaign.

Hamšík is an incredibly elegant footballer, who is very ambidextrous, a great playmaker who creates great chance quality for his teammates to score or make the next pass for his teammate easier. He is mobile and also versatile. He has played many positions in his career; central/attacking midfielder, wide forward and as a second striker looking attack space in behind which shows in his goal tallies throughout his time at Napoli. His charisma in his playing style is infectious and he is a leader of men.

This season however he’s really come into his own, playing as the left sided interior in Sarri’s 4-3-3 system he has bagged 15 goals, 12 assists. He looks to get involved in build up by dropping deep to progress play or looking to vacate the half space and combine with Insigne who plays as an inverted winger. Marek Hamšík will look to make incisive runs that he will look to get the ball from Insigne or he will try to take defenders out of the game with his movement  creating space for Insigne to cut in and shoot or to try and combine with Higuaín or Milik. Since Sarri came Hamšík has gone under a transformation from #10 to #8. He was a traditional #10 who played behind 2 strikers in a 3-5-2 thriving off Cavani’s movement.

Going from a traditional #10 to a left interior #8 isn’t easy at all yet Hamšík took to it like a duck to water which I feel speaks volumes about his ability. Marek floats between the lines and within the left half space looking to get into the final third and providing support to the attackers. Over the last 2 seasons, he is averaging 87.12 passes per 90, completing 87% of his passes, creating 2.14 chances per 90, scoring or assisting at 0.57 per 90 so basically every other game, 1.13 dribbles per 90, making 0.8 tackles + interceptions per 90 mins.

His influence overall is monstrous. I personally believe he will forever be underrated due to his loyalty to Napoli. He’s had many offers from some of Italy’s biggest clubs especially from the North such as AC Milan and Juventus. He’s gone on record to say he could possibly retire at Napoli. He is a dying breed in football staying loyal to one club. He is most definitely one of the best players to play for the Neapolitan side.

By: @TrequartistaFC_