Cabral Expected To Retake Top Spot

Napoli goalkeeper Rafael Cabral is once again expected to become the number one goalkeeper at the club after the departure of Pepe Reina. The Liverpool goalkeeper has returned to his parent club after a season long loan deal with the Italian outfit came to an end. Throughout the season, Reina was the first choice when it came to league matches while the 24-year-old, Cabral, was used as the cup goalkeeper. However, Cabral’s season suffered a turn for the worst after he was ruled out for four months with a broken leg.

He suffered his injury in the Europa league encounter against Swansea a few months ago. Up until then, he was one of the best goalkeepers at the club after managing to keep four clean sheets in just 10 matches. He has now returned to first team training and the pre-season will be providing a much better look into how he has progressed from the injury. Cabral, though, is confident that he can reclaim the high standards set a few months ago. Players who have suffered major injuries like a leg break take a long time to recover, but this could be different in the case of goalkeeper.

Reina has still been linked with a permanent move to Napoli with the Italian club involved in negotiations.

“I’ll come back stronger than before. I feel good – very good in fact. I’ve started to train again with a ball. I’m getting there slowly, but I’m getting there. I’ll be back on July 10 when we start preseason training. God is my strength and my faith has helped me so much. But I’ve done nothing but sweat at the training ground since I was allowed to return. I speak with [President Aurelio] De Laurentiis a lot and obviously I’m always having words with [Head Coach Rafael] Benítez, the goalkeeping coaches and the doctors,” said Cabral.