Manager Antonio Content has angrily blamed “mistakes” in the transfer market for Napoli’s apparent downturn in form. In a post-match interview following the 6-2 thrashing by PSV, the Italian claimed the club signed too many players during the transfer window before going on to suggest that the club should expect similar results before things get any better.
Fans had high hopes this season, following last year’s McTominay-led title-winning season when Napoli pipped Inter to the title by a single point. However, despite topping a table that includes last season’s losing Champions League finalists, they have never really been considered serious contenders for the Champions League.
The task of proving the doubters wrong has gotten even more difficult after losing two of their first three games in the rejigged group phase. With that said, their CL game odds suggest they should find their next game, against Eintracht Frankfurt on 4 November, easier.
Napoli have been given odds of 1/2 while Frankfurt have been priced at 9/2. Fans will be hoping those odds convert to results, but Conte doesn’t seem so certain.
Following the 6-2 loss to PSV, which came on the back of a humbling 1-0 defeat to Torino in the league, Conte said: “This year, however, between playing so many games and bringing in so many players… in my opinion, nine new players were too many.
“We weren’t balanced. I’ve always said this year would be difficult, there are some aspects that take time to absorb.
“This is the level of the Champions League. We have little to say and a lot to work on. I live the dressing room every day, so I say certain things with purpose, we mustn’t despair. We’ll try to recreate last year’s chemistry.”
This isn’t the first time the Italian has pointed out that he has no control over club signings. In August last year, when asked about his side’s transfer dealings, he said: “One, two, three, four could arrive, as many as the club want to sign.”
Even at previous clubs, he has made similar comments. In 2018, while at Chelsea, he said: “The club decide our transfer market.”
However, while Conte has been quick to deflect some of the blame, it isn’t necessarily time to panic just yet. They started the league season well, winning their first four games.
At the end of September, they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to AC Milan but recovered with their only Champions League win of this campaign, when they beat Sporting 2-1. Another 2-1 victory over Genoa, though, was followed by a 1-0 loss to Torino.
Last year’s title winners are only a single point off the top of the table. And fans will be hoping that McTominay’s brace, the only positive to come from the match against PSV, will help propel him back towards the heights he was enjoying last season.
In the Champions League table, they currently sit 23rd out of 36. While they are one point away from the elimination places, they still have five group games to ensure they progress.
