Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wins back-to-back Serie A POTM awards

Napoli attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has won the Serie A Player of the Month award for March 2023, the second time in a row he has picked up the prize.

The player will receive the award on April 2 when Napoli host AC Milan at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium upon the resumption of Serie A following the international break.

He beat off competition from Napoli teammate Kim Min-jae, Armand Lauriente (Sassuolo), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), and Destiny Udogie (Udinese, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).

Serie A CEO, Luigi De Siervo, said (via the league’s website): “The series of successes and awards continue for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the first footballer to be awarded best of the month three times in the same season.”

The Georgian winger scored one goal and assisted one against Torino on March 19. He scored against Atalanta eight days earlier. That mesmerising goal won the Serie A Goal of the Month award.

He also played in Napoli’s 1-0 loss to Lazio and performed excellently despite the negative result.

Kvaratskhelia has been impeccable since joining the club this summer from FC Dinamo Batumi for around €12 million. He has scored 12 goals and assisted another 10 in 23 league appearances.

Alongside Victor Osimhen, they have fired the Partenopei to the top of the table. Napoli could win their first Scudetto since 1990.

They are also in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Milan. Kvaratskhelia contributed two goals and four assists to that run.

His performances have earned him a new contract as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis looks to ward off any potential suitors. He will sign after the season ends.

Napoli will likely keep him for another season after his incredible debut campaign.

However, the club is open to parting with Osimhen if the buyer can stump up his €150 million asking price.