In the lead-up to Georgia's Euro debut against Turkey, there is turmoil surrounding star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. To the annoyance of Napoli, his entourage is pushing for a transfer this summer. This serves as an unwanted distraction from what really matters on Tuesday evening: shining in their debut on the biggest stage.
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That is what Georgia aims for when they face Turkey at 6:00 PM in Dortmund. Kvaratskhelia played a crucial role with four goals in the last three Euro qualification matches, after which coach Willy Sagnol's team qualified for the European finals in Germany through the playoffs.
Now, with the tournament around the corner, Kvaradona is making headlines in Italy for entirely different reasons. On Monday, his father and his agent pushed for a departure from Napoli.
Earlier this year, it seemed that Kvaratskhelia would extend his contract with Napoli, but the two parties never reached an agreement. The 23-year-old dribbler could earn double at Paris Saint-Germain compared to what the dethroned Italian champions offer him. Additionally, Napoli missed out on the Champions League after a disastrous season as title defenders. In a statement, however, the club irritably announced that the Georgian is not for sale.
With a contract until mid-2027, Napoli has no reason to sell Kvaratskhelia this summer. It is even reported that a €100 million offer from PSG was rejected. This situation is far from ideal preparation for a Euro match, but according to Georgian captain Guram Kashia, the forward is used to it by now. "Since he became a big player at Napoli, it's always busy around the team bus. All the kids want to take pictures with him. That never happened before."
Character
The reports in the Italian newspapers will undoubtedly tarnish Kvaratskhelia's reputation among Napoli fans, but Kashia spoke only positively about the left-winger in an interview with The Guardian. "He is very kind and just a normal guy. Sometimes he speaks up in the locker room, and on the field, he is a great player. He has a good mentality, and his generation has more self-confidence. We never had so many strong characters in the locker room."
Thanks to the contributions of new faces like Kvaratskhelia, Georgia now stands on the brink of its Euro 2024 debut. Kashia, well-known in the Netherlands as the face of Vitesse, is eager to showcase his country. "We deserve to be here, and I am so happy this has happened. We have a solid team and can cause an upset. Of course, we will take some hits, but we will deliver some hits as well. And if they land, that's okay."
Kvaratskhelia's performance and focus will be crucial for Georgia as they embark on this historic journey. His ability to handle pressure and distractions will be tested, but his teammates and fans have high hopes for his impact on the tournament. Despite the off-field drama, Kvaratskhelia remains a key figure for both club and country, demonstrating his importance to any team he plays for.
The anticipation for Georgia's debut is palpable, with fans excited to see their team compete at the highest level of European football. Kvaratskhelia’s leadership on the pitch will be vital, and his ability to inspire those around him could make all the difference. As Georgia prepares to face Turkey, the nation rallies behind its star player, hopeful that his skills and determination will lead them to success.
