Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

In a season that has turned into a nightmare for one of Italy's most storied clubs, SSC Napoli find themselves shockingly marooned in 18th place—a position unthinkable for a side that lifted the Scudetto just two campaigns ago. Yet amid the chaos and crisis engulfing the Partenopei, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo stands as an unwavering beacon of professionalism and durability. The 32-year-old Italian right-back has been the definition of ever-present, clocking an astonishing 2,841 minutes across 33 appearances—a testament to his indispensability in a squad desperate for stability. While his modest return of 1 goal and 3 assists won't dominate headlines, Di Lorenzo's true worth lies elsewhere. His overlapping runs provide crucial width down the right flank, perfectly complementing the creative threat of David Neres ahead of him. Remarkably, despite logging such heavy minutes in one of football's most physically demanding roles, he's collected just a single yellow card all season—a masterclass in defensive intelligence and timing. As Napoli cling to survival hopes with two wins from their last five matches (WWLDW), their #22 continues to lead by example. Whether surging forward to support attacks or recovering with the pace that defines his game, Di Lorenzo's €10 million market value remains more than justified. In these turbulent times at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the heartbeat of this struggling giant refuses to stop beating.