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Napoli looked like they were dealt a huge blow in the summer following the loss of Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea, but they may have already filled the void at centre-back with Kim Min-jae.
In just seven Serie A games and two Champions League fixtures, the South Korean star already looks like a key player for the early season table-toppers following his £16million move from Fenerbahce.
In Naples, Koulibaly was known for his explosive physical strength but it was used in conjunction with strong tactical intelligence.
Kim Min-jae has been a huge success since joining Napoli in the summer from Fenerbahce
By contrast, Kim seems to prefer direct aggression - and it's working too. A few games were enough to make Serie A fans understand the strength of the Korean defender.
Koulibaly is certainly among the strongest defenders in the world and will be remembered as a Napoli icon but Kim looks set to be even more useful to the Italian side.
Kim uses all the dark arts a defender can use during a game. He hugs and pushes opponents, screams and gets close to the backs of the opposition.
His aggressive form of defending has already rattled Premier League sides including Liverpool
Kim's physical strength has been key in helping Napoli lead Serie A in the early stages this term
Standing at 190cm and about 88kg, moving Kim is like trying to shift Mount Vesuvius. Despite his giant physique and aggressive nature, Kim appears to stick to the rules.
In his career he has collected fewer than 25 yellow cards in 175 games and this demonstrates his great ability to control his movements and his aggression.
He has no refined technique but he is concrete, looking like a British defender of the 1950s and his physical strength is so impressive that it is already intimidating just standing adjacent to him in the tunnel before kick-off.
On his muscular chest there is the inscription 'Carpe Diem' (Seize the moment) and it is much appreciated by Napoli fans. His passion for tattoos does not stop at the writing on his chest and on his back there is another one with a symbol of the Christian religion.
Kim is inspired by Sergio Ramos and Fabio Cannavaro but soon dreams of inheriting the leadership of Koulibaly. The long-term path will not be easy but to establish himself at Napoli he will have to try to be stronger than the comparisons with the great defenders of the past.
Kim has been inspired by the likes of current Paris Saint-Germain defender
