Napoli are trying like a power to be reckoned with subsequent season after including Manchester Metropolis legend Kevin De Bruyne to their Scudetto-winning squad.
Antonio Conte has dedicated his future to Napoli, but when latest historical past is something to go by, you understand he’ll be making formidable calls for for the board so as to add a lot extra high quality signings within the switch market.
Utilizing the newest hypothesis and the perfect gamers within the present squad, we’ve put collectively what Conte’s dream Napoli beginning XI might seem like for 2025-26.
GK: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
It seems as if Napoli can have a brand new No.1 subsequent season.
Manchester United academy graduate Milinkovic-Savic, the youthful brother of former Lazio star Sergej, is anticipated to signal for the Serie A champions within the coming days.
The 28-year-old has confirmed himself as considered one of Serie A’s most constant, dependable shot-stoppers over the previous 4 seasons at Torino and has earned the chance to play for a Champions League membership.
Two-time Scudetto winner Alex Meret nearly ran down his contract, however he’ll keep and battle for his place after signing a brand new two-year deal.
Napoli have additionally accomplished a swap cope with Cagliari, buying and selling Elia Caprile and Simone Scuffet on a everlasting foundation after final yr’s loans. Scuffet, you’d think about, will solely stay because the (third-choice?) back-up.
RB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo
The membership captain has Conte’s religion.
Di Lorenzo began 32 of 38 matches of their Scudetto triumph and ought to stay a cornerstone of this revamped Napoli mission.
You’d think about the skilled Italy worldwide is licking his lips on the prospect of linking up with a number of the membership’s new signings.
CB: Luca Marianucci
Amir Rrahmani began all 38 matches in Serie A final time period. He was the one participant to take action within the title-winning marketing campaign.
The Kosovan is evidently one of many Napoli supervisor’s most trusted lieutenants, however he’ll face competitors subsequent time period after the seize of Marianucci from Empoli.
The 20-year-old centre-back is considered one of Italy’s most promising prospects and he’ll have ambitions of slotting straight into the primary XI.
We might additionally see Conte use the added physique to revert to his tried-and-trusted again three system. That man can’t resist a wingback.
CB: Alessandro Buongiorno
Final summer season, Conte satisfied the defender to decide on Napoli over reigning champions Inter. Twelve months on and he definitely gained’t be regretting that call.
Buongiorno signed a five-year deal on the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and can certainly be a mainstay of the aspect for the foreseeable future.
LB: Mathias Olivera
The Uruguay worldwide just lately signed a prolonged contract extension and doesn’t look like going anyplace quickly. He relishes the intensive calls for Conte places upon him.
“The depth, each coaching session is basically robust. He places a variety of depth, within the second you endure however then on the pitch you see the outcomes,” he informed Betsson.Sport.
“In Italy the tactical facet is essential. Right here in Naples, I’ve improved so much with the sport with the ball, right here there may be this mentality.”
We wouldn’t be shocked if Napoli goal a brand new left-back to usurp the veteran back-up Juan Jesus, although.
Fascinated about it, we’re shocked they’re not in for Andrew Robertson. Conte loves an skilled Premier League defender, having introduced each Victor Moses and Ashley Younger to Inter just a few years again.
We’re certain Robbo would like to hyperlink up together with his Scotland team-mate McTominay, too.
DM: Stanislav Lobotka
It’s not essentially the most glamorous title in soccer, however Lobotka has been an excellent servant to Napoli over the previous 5 seasons.
Splendidly press-resistant and key of their two latest Scudetti, Conte would certainly like to preserve him as a lynchpin as Napoli add a bit extra stardust to their midfield.
However Fabrizio Romano stories that the Slovakian has a launch clause “in extra of €25million”.
Manchester United and Saudi Professional League golf equipment are believed to be amongst his suitors. He’ll be very troublesome to switch if he goes.
CM: Scott McTominay
Napoli have reportedly tabled a £25.6million bid for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley (Does Conte’s scouting quantity to watching Match of the Day? Critically), however we will’t see the Denmark worldwide usurping their MVP of the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
The Italian champions will face the added problem of taking part in within the Champions League subsequent season, so it’s no shock they’re seeking to beef up their midfield with extra depth.
McTominay’s bodily presence, lung-busting box-to-box working and talent to ship in key moments was important final season. Irrespective of who else arrives, we will’t see him benched anytime quickly.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
New Fiorentina supervisor Stefano Pioli has signed 39-year-old(!) Edin Dzeko to spearhead a brand new period. That’s the context of Serie A we’re speaking about.
We’ve completely no qualms {that a} 34-year-old De Bruyne, who regarded amongst Manchester Metropolis’s standout gamers as they ended final season as one of many strongest groups within the Premier League, will do exactly superb in Italy.
The sensible Belgian has the potential to tear the league a brand new one. Get your ‘Participant of the Season’ bets in early.
READ: Evaluating Kevin De Bruyne’s Premier League legacy with Gerrard, Lampard & Scholes
FWR: Matteo Politano
If Napoli want to significantly compete within the Champions League subsequent season, you think about they’ll be on the lookout for extra targets from their assault.
Politano began 34 Serie A outings final season however solely mustered three targets and 4 assists. His output has by no means been essentially the most prolific, however he’s the form of stable skilled Conte likes.
It wouldn’t be a shock if that is an space Napoli look to improve in the summertime, however the different wing seems extra of a precedence and hyperlinks to right-sided attackers have been skinny on the bottom.
ST: Darwin Nunez
“[With McTominay] Conte has as soon as once more proven his knack for revitalising struggling gamers, instilling enthusiasm and motivation,” Eurosport Italy’s Simone Tempo informed TNT Sports activities.
“Napoli hopes he’ll work comparable magic with Nunez. Conte has received a knack for getting the perfect out of his gamers, not simply tactically but additionally by way of character and grit.
“Right here in Italy, many consider Conte desires to carry Nunez to Napoli as a result of the Uruguayan striker is an explosive participant, wonderful at attacking depth and with the proper expertise to sort out a troublesome league like Serie A. Conte loves gamers with these qualities.”
That each one is smart to us. Nunez taking part in below Conte within the metropolis of Naples? Pure field workplace. Make it occur, soccer gods.
FWL: Alejandro Garnacho
Napoli misplaced their finest participant, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, halfway by way of the season, didn’t substitute him, and nonetheless gained the league. Conte is a magician.
We are able to’t think about they’ll stay so passive this summer season. David Neres mustered simply two Serie A targets and made extra appearances off the bench than begins. We are able to solely see the Brazilian being a backup at finest subsequent yr.
There’s definitely work to be performed. Jack Grealish has been tipped to reunite with De Bruyne, however we’re treating that as a switch tittle tattle.
Hyperlinks to Garnacho have gone comparatively quiet after it dominated the January gossip columns, however we might see this one reigniting. The Argentinian will certainly go away Outdated Trafford this summer season after his relationship with Ruben Amorim has solely additional deteriorated.
Chelsea have accomplished the signing of Jamie Gittens, which might give Napoli a free run at Garnacho’s signature. Watch this area.
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