Antonio Conte’s Napoli had a terrible start to the season and Stephen Kasiewicz warns that the Italian tactician will have to rethink season targets if transfers continue to stall.
The opening game of Napoli’s new beginning under Antonio Conte felt like a nightmarish flashback to the horrors of last season. The decorated coach didn’t pull any punches in his post-match assessment of the humiliating three-goal loss at Hellas Verona.
A miserable second-half breakdown suggested it might take months rather than weeks—as Conte had bluntly stated beforehand—to fully turn things around.
There were mitigating circumstances as new centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno was injured and creative lynchpin Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was forced off just before half-time at Stadio Bentegodi. Virtually the same group of players – with Leonardo Spinazzola the only fresh addition – crumbled again in an alarming repeat of the previous campaign.
The psychological scars of a pitiful title defence were evident as heads dropped in a stunning capitulation.
Conte offered an apology for a substandard display while trying to focus on the few positives from a decent enough opening period. Intense work on physical conditioning is all well and good, yet altering ingrained habits could take a considerable amount of time. Mindset matters again plagued a group which dropped to a dismal 10th placed finish after winning a glorious third Scudetto in the 2022-2023 edition of Serie A.
The former Juventus, Italy and Inter tactician has little to prove at the elite level of the game. However, his coaching repertoire probably doesn’t extend to alchemy.
The strengths and weaknesses of the Napoli squad are well known. Without delving into the name-and-blame game, it’s clear there are bona fide stars, a handful that are adequate but won’t miraculously metamorphose into world beaters, and a few others that have blundered frequently on the big stage.
Conte couldn’t have envisaged such an elongated undertaking in acquiring much needed reinforcements. Never a yes man or one to toe the company line he’s advocated a host of new signings since being appointed.
The early transfer window captures of the much-coveted defensive pillar Buongiorno, Spanish centre-back Rafa Marin – an unused substitute against Verona – and Spinazzola offered a measure of hope. Everything has almost ground to a halt since.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis has held up the entire process by insisting that prospective buyers pay the full €130 million release clause for Victor Osimhen.
Conte: ‘I expected better from Napoli, you all know Osimhen situation’
While sporting director Giovanni Manna has been busy offloading the unwanted signings of last term – Jesper Lindstrom (Everton), Natan (Real Betis) and Jens Cajuste (Ipswich Town) – nobody has been willing to meet Osimhen’s exorbitant price tag. Not yet, anyway.
Locked in an unremitting state of suspension, a growing sense of frustration and anxiety has replaced the optimism of Conte’s arrival in Campania.
The blockage must be unclogged before the window finally, and thankfully, closes. Otherwise, Conte may have to further rethink Napoli’s objectives and his own future in what could be another long and draining campaign.
Protracted deals for Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, and Scottish international midfielder Billy Gilmour somehow remain incomplete. Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat have also been mentioned among a lengthy list of potential new recruits.
The signing of David Neres was concluded relatively briskly. The Brazilian winger provides a fresh option in an area where the Partenopei need it the most.
While Conte had to endure the indignity of watching relative unknowns Dailon Livramento and Daniel Mosquera make dream goalscoring debuts for Hellas Verona, his own front line badly misfired.
The 55-year-old was no doubt an interested observer as Marco Brescianini – who underwent a medical test with Napoli before a potential transfer failed – claimed a double on his debut for Atalanta in their four goal win at Lecce.
Conte has already made it abundantly clear that it will take far more than a single transfer window to remedy all of Napoli’s squad issues. More must follow Neres as the August 30 deadline looms closer.
Whether the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach genuinely believes that it will take years for the Partenopei to challenge at the top of the table is open to question. Something has to change quickly though.
There’s an immediate chance for redemption when Napoli host Bologna at Stadio Maradona on Sunday. It’s time for the Conte revolution to swing into action after a stumbling start to the club’s bold new era.
@SKasiewicz
Such a pity to get off to a poor start this season. Holding out for a big transfer for Osimhen could affect other possible players coming in and with.not.long before the window closes a decision needs to be made regarding his future.