Faouzi Ghoulam has returned to the Napoli conversation with the perspective of a player who experienced the club’s modern rise from inside the dressing room. In a wide-ranging interview, the former left-back reflected on the teams he knew in Naples while also turning his attention to the current Serie A title contest, where he admitted to a particular affection for Roma.
Ghoulam revisited the long pursuit of the Scudetto during Napoli’s most compelling recent seasons, including the work done under Maurizio Sarri. He also spoke about his relationships with Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso and Luciano Spalletti, four coaches who represented very different stages in the club’s development.
The Algerian international’s time at Napoli was interrupted by serious injuries, an experience that inevitably shaped both his career and his view of the demands placed on players at a club expected to compete at the top of Serie A.
Memories of Napoli and a view of the present
Among the subjects discussed was Dries Mertens’ transformation into a central striker, a role that became one of the defining tactical decisions of Napoli’s strongest attacking periods. Ghoulam also addressed the present-day Napoli led by Massimiliano Allegri, placing the team within the wider rhythm of a championship in which every weekend can alter the balance at the summit.
His analysis was not limited to his former club. Ghoulam considered Como’s football and spoke about young players including Favasuli and Vergara, two names representing the next generation attempting to establish themselves in Italian football.
Roma sympathy in the title race
While examining the battle for first place, Ghoulam made clear that Roma hold a special place in his thoughts. It was a personal note rather than a dismissal of the other contenders, reflecting the tension of a Serie A season in which the race at the top remains shaped by coaches, squad depth and the pressure of Sunday results.
For Napoli, Ghoulam’s recollections underline how the club’s recent history has been built through different managerial eras: Benitez laying foundations, Sarri bringing an identifiable style, Ancelotti and Gattuso navigating difficult transitions, and Spalletti taking the side to the title. The current campaign adds another chapter, with the former defender watching closely from outside the pitch.
