Napoli’s Midfield Conundrum: The Real Issue Behind Kvaratskhelia’s Departure

The recent transfer of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain for €70 million has left Napoli and their manager Antonio Conte in a precarious position. While the departure of such a key player is significant, the real concern lies not in replacing the Georgian winger, but in the missed opportunity to strengthen the midfield.

Calciomercato detail how Conte’s frustration is palpable. The January transfer window, which promised much, delivered little in terms of reinforcing the squad of the current Serie A leaders. The failure to secure primary targets like Garnacho and Adeyemi, or even the alternative strategy of investing in a promising defender like Pietro Comuzzo, has left the club scrambling for solutions.

The arrival of Noah Okafor as Kvaratskhelia’s replacement seems more a hasty reaction than a well-planned strategy. However, looking at Napoli’s attacking options, with players like Neres, Politano, Lukaku, Raspadori, Simeone, and Ngonge, the offensive department appears well-stocked.

The real issue lies in the midfield. Beyond the first-choice trio of Anguissa, Lobotka, and McTominay, Napoli’s options are limited. Billy Gilmour, the only reliable substitute, has seen minimal playing time. The inexperienced Hasa and the enigmatic Billing are not considered viable options by Conte, who has consistently emphasized the need for ready-made, high-quality reinforcements rather than young prospects.

This midfield shortage is particularly concerning given Napoli’s focus on the Serie A title race. While they don’t have European commitments, an injury to any of their key midfielders could severely hamper their championship aspirations.

The €70 million from Kvaratskhelia’s sale presented a golden opportunity to address this vulnerability. Instead, Napoli find themselves with a squad that, while strong in attack and defense, lacks depth in the crucial midfield area. This oversight could prove costly in their pursuit of the Scudetto, especially with Inter Milan hot on their heels.

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