Antonio Conte Outlines Napoli Transfer Plans After Kvaratskhelia Exit

Napoli enjoyed a dream start to life after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, beating direct Scudetto rivals Atalanta 3-2 at the Gewiss Stadium last night. Antonio Conte’s side overhauled an early deficit to steer seven points clear of the third-placed La Dea and temporarily open a six-point gap on runners-up Inter.

Conte’s fighting mentality prevailed again as Napoli avenged a dreadful 3-0 loss in November’s reverse fixture. Romelu Lukaku shrugged off Giorgio Scalvini to head home a 78th-minute winner in Bergamo, extending his side’s winning league streak to six matches.

Napoli couldn’t have imagined a better way to bid farewell to Kvaratskhelia than posting a fourth consecutive away league triumph against Atalanta. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed their title credentials, putting the pressure back on reigning Serie A holders Inter.

Kvaratskhelia became the latest elite star to leave Naples after Piotr Zielinski and Victor Osimhen. Despite missing three key pieces from the Scudetto-winning squad in 2023, Conte has done remarkable things with Napoli. However, he insists the club won’t make rush market calls to replace the Georgian winger.

“I also recognise that if we try to sign someone experienced, the press will say ‘oh it’s a Scudetto player for Conte,” the Napoli manager told Sky Sport Italia via Gianluca Di Marzio.

“If we need to do things, we need to do them right, otherwise we will continue with these lads. I already said yesterday that at the end of the day everyone can express their opinion on whether we are stronger or weaker, but objective facts are that the ‘best’ players who helped win the Scudetto two years ago have all left. That’s Kim Min-jae, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia and Zielinski, without counting Mario Rui or Elmas.

“Compared to last season, Osimhen, Zielinski and Kvara have left. We need to keep our heads down, keep working, not complain about anything. If the club wants to do something, then they will, otherwise I go into battle with these lads and know they will never let me down.

“There aren’t many of us, but we are the right ones and we’re starved,” the Napoli boss concluded.

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