Antonio Conte dissatisfied with progress at Napoli ahead of new season

Antonio Conte has expressed his disappointment with Napoli, saying he "expected better" and is unsure if it will take "six months or two years" for them to become competitive again after the scenario with Victor Osimhen.

They play their first game of Serie A on Sunday at the Stadio Bentegodi against Hellas Verona. The Coppa Italia First Round match saw the Partenopei lose 0-0 to Serie B team Modena, forcing them to advance by penalty shootout. This was not a great start to their campaign.

Antonio Conte said, “Our mantra is to give 200 per cent, we must go beyond our limitations, because this is a critical moment for Napoli. The President talked about a reconstruction. I evaluated the squad and agree fully, we need to rebuild from the foundations. A squad that puts 10-12 players on the market means we require patience, humility and understanding of this moment from everyone around us. Even the fans must give more and understand this is a delicate moment for Napoli!”

When the new coach took over, Conte thought he could have signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea by now and that Osimhen would have been sold to raise money, but things didn't turn out that way in the transfer market. Anything can happen with a few days remaining in the transfer market 

“I cannot say any more than that” : Antonio Conte on Victor Osimhen situation

The Napoli head coach has commented on the Victor Osimhen scenario that has been troubling the club for the longest time possible.

The former Tottenham Hotspur said, “I will not talk about the players who are not part of the Napoli squad. You all know full well the Osimhen situation was already there when I arrived and will be dealt with exclusively by the club. I did not get into the situation. You all know that the transfer market is very complicated and currently blocked. I cannot say any more than that.”