15 March 2023 , 06:30
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Manchester United have been told "the days of George Best will return" if they splash out to sign Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgian winger, 22, has exploded onto the scene this season, grabbing 11 goals and nine assists in his debut Serie A campaign to help his side go 18 points clear top of the table. Few had heard of Kvaratskhelia while he was plying his trade in his homeland, but his electric form means his name is on the lips of fans across Europe.
Kvaratskhelia's latest heroics came on Saturday as he opened the scoring with a sublime strike against Atalanta. It was a goal which reminded Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti of the late, great Diego Maradona, while the Italy icon Christian Vieri declared the player could match Best's impact at Old Trafford if he joins the Premier League giants.
Speaking on Bobo TV, per Calcio Napoli 1926, Vieri said: "The goal he scored was the stuff of madness! If he goes to Manchester United, the days of George Best will return. Kvaratskhelia is the same. I can't wait for Wednesday to see Napoli play."
Kvaratskhelia will have another chance to showcase his ability in midweek as Napoli take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Italian club have a 2-0 advantage from the first leg as they prepare to welcome their opponents to Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
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Kvaratskhelia was not on the scoresheet in Germany but he assisted Giovanni Di Lorenzo's goal, which added to Victor Osimhen's opener, to register yet another goal involvement. Gary Lineker is among the onlookers to have been hugely impressed by the youngster and took to Twitter with typical wittiness to write: "Remember the name. He's that good that eventually we'll all know how to spell it."
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is earning comparisons to footballing legends (Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
George Best scored 179 goals for Manchester United (TV Times via Getty Images)Spalletti could hardly contain himself as he praised Kvaratskhelia in his press conference after the victory over Atalanta. The player weaved through the defence before smashing into the roof of the net to double Napoli's lead, producing the sort of sublime footwork that Maradona used to dazzle fans with during his time in Italy.
"It was a goal worthy of Maradona, and that is not something I say lightly," Spalletti said of Kvaratskhelia's breathtaking goal. "He has this ability to twist the ball inside out and then get the shot away so quickly. When he looks you in the eye and takes you on, he becomes devastating. This time yes, we can invoke the name of the greatest the world has ever seen."
Such is the rising Georgian star's prodigious ability, the devout Napoli fan base have affectionately nicknamed him "Kvaradona", backing up Spalletti's comments.