Antonio Conte’s recent silence at Napoli has raised eyebrows, hinting at potential dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer market activities. The Italian manager, known for his demanding nature, appears to be expecting immediate reinforcements to bolster the squad.
Conte took on the challenge of reviving Napoli after their disappointing 10th place finish last season, a stark contrast to their Scudetto-winning campaign the year before. Initially, his appointment brought renewed enthusiasm to the fanbase, with positive responses evident in the team’s attitude during pre-season training camps in Dimaro and Castel di Sangro.
The pre-season friendlies showed promise, with Napoli winning their first four matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding none. However, a recent 2-0 defeat to Girona seems to have highlighted areas of concern for Conte.
The loss against Girona appeared to displease Conte, not just for the result but for the team’s performance and failure to execute his tactical concepts as expected. Napoli seemed lackluster and failed to take initiative, often allowing Girona to dominate possession – a style contrary to Conte’s preferences.
According to Calciomercato, a major point of contention appears to be the transfer market situation, particularly concerning striker Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian’s uncertain future is holding up other potential moves, including the rumored arrival of Romelu Lukaku. This leaves Conte with limited options upfront, relying on Raspadori, who doesn’t fit the profile of the physical number 9 Conte typically favors.
Conte is reportedly pushing for acceleration in transfer activities. He’s awaiting the arrival of midfielder Billy Gilmour and is keen to see movement both in and out of the club. The manager’s silence after the Girona match, breaking his habit of post-match interviews, speaks volumes about his current state of mind.
With the Coppa Italia match against Modena just six days away, Conte is eager to have his squad reinforced and ready. His urgency reflects his ambition to quickly turn Napoli’s fortunes around and compete at the highest level in the upcoming season.
