Napoli, Conte: Still a work in progress, Ndoye fee not our style | OneFootball

On the penultimate day of summer training camp and on the eve of the last friendly match against Olympiakos, Antonio Conte took stock in a press conference of the state of the team, the transfer market, and the prospects for the season.

Napoli, Conte: “Napoli is still a work in progress. Ndoye? The fee does not align with our philosophy”

A Napoli in transition The Azzurri coach described the current phase as a time of building:

“We are finishing an important period of work. The pre-season serves to consolidate what has been done with the confirmed players and to integrate the new arrivals. It’s inevitable that it takes time to fit the new guys into the system. We’re still a work in progress, but we are working seriously and I’ve had good responses from everyone.”

Conte confirmed that he is also experimenting with tactical alternatives:

“The 4-3-3 remains our reference formation, but we need to have more solutions. We are also considering the inclusion of an extra midfielder instead of an attacking winger, to ensure balance in a long and demanding season.”

Market assessment Since Conte’s arrival, Napoli has seen significant turnover: 13 signings and 7 major departures, including Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, Raspadori, and Simeone.

“We are a club in full reconstruction. The Scudetto arrived after just one year of this journey, and it was extraordinary. Now we aim to bring stability, complete the squad, and remain competitive, without rushing and while respecting Napoli’s style.”

On departures, Conte continues: “Those who asked to leave did so for various reasons. When I arrived, my first year, I asked President De Laurentiis for guarantees to have the mandatory confirmation of certain players… There was no foundation, we needed to start from a minimum base, after my first year my door is open: whoever wants to stay, stays; whoever wants to leave, is free to go. Then, of course, the club must find the right financial solution, but I will never try to convince anyone again. Especially the players who have worked with me for a year. The players will be free to go, clearly once the club finds the right financial agreement. Jack, for example, came to me and asked to leave. Thank you for everything, but it’s right that everyone finds the right path for themselves.”

The coach explained that many of the new signings are not “finished players,” but talents to be developed:

“Beukema can become the new Rrahmani, Lucca will learn from Lukaku. If you want a ready-made player like De Bruyne, that’s a different kind of investment. We complete the squad, we don’t make signings on a whim.”

The Ndoye issue and the market for wingers Conte confirmed that one of the names considered for the attack was Dan Ndoye, but the deal did not materialize:

“He was on the list as an alternative, but the fees requested were not Napoli-level. We should be proud of a club that maintains financial balance and competitiveness.”

Goalkeeper management On the competition between Meret and Milinkovic-Savic:

“Meret gives me guarantees, but we need high-level alternatives. As long as there isn’t a clear gap, they will share the season. Healthy competition is necessary.”

Departures and personal choices Regarding the departures of Raspadori, Simeone, Rafa Marin, Ngonge, and also Kvaratskhelia, Conte was clear:

“I thank them all. Those who left did so because they asked to. After my first year, whoever doesn’t want to stay is free to go. I don’t keep anyone against their will.”

The challenge of integrating new players Conte calls for patience:

“Lang has quality but needs to settle in. Lucca has potential but needs to be developed. We can’t expect every signing to be the best in the world in his role: we brought them in to help them grow according to our method.”

Lukaku and leadership in the team “Lukaku is in full footballing maturity and must take on more responsibility. He can do even better than last year. We need leaders to guide the new arrivals.”

Injury situation and young players Good news for Alessandro Buongiorno:

“He’s in the final phase of recovery and will soon be at 100%.”

Then, a comment on his inclusion in the list of coaches for the Ballon d’Or: “The credit goes to the players, because it’s their victory that brought me to the forefront as a coach. I thank everyone who made my inclusion possible. We did something extraordinary. Personally, I think Luis Enrique deserves the Ballon d’Or.” “De Bruyne is a guy who has fully embraced our reality, he’s settled in very well and is appreciated by everyone. He’s had a top career and came here to challenge himself again. He hasn’t missed a second of training, he’s always available, now we’re working on a tactical solution to see how to play him in a three or four-man midfield.”

On the young players Vergara and Ambrosino:

“Vergara has a good physical structure and I’d like him to stay with us. For Ambrosino, we’ll evaluate together the best solution for his development.”

Next up: the last summer friendly against Olympiakos will serve to get minutes in the legs and test new tactical solutions, with the goal of being ready for the league debut.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.