Capello gives Milan transfer advice, sees Conte’s lack of respect and Napoli’s ‘decisive’ man

Fabio Capello doubts that Milan will find a reliable centre-forward in the January transfer window, and feels Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku will be decisive in the race for the title when he returns to action.

Milan and Napoli are at the top of the Serie A table after 13 rounds, having collected 28 points each so far.

Inter and Roma follow the leading pair just one point below.

Milan have won almost every big game this season, securing victories against Inter, Roma and Napoli and drawing against Juventus.

Milan have been linked with signing a new centre-forward in the January window, given that Santiago Gimenez has had fitness issues and hasn’t yet scored a goal in Serie A this term.

Capello, however, is not sure the Rossoneri will find the answer to their problem next month.

“A centre-forward? Where are they? The ones who make the difference are kept tightly by their clubs, and if there are any around, the English get there first, then the Spaniards, and finally us,” the ex-Rossoneri boss told Gazzetta.

“Beyond the transfer market, it depends on the coach’s tactical ideas. In that case, you’d need a player who fits his vision of the game. Or someone who simply scores goals. You can never go wrong there. Football is an easy subject: forwards must score goals, and goalkeepers must make saves. It’s no coincidence that Milan are back at the top now that Maignan is making great interventions.”

Rafael Leao has been playing as the main man in attack this season, and Capello is delighted with his recent developments in the new role.

“At the beginning, I saw Leao uncomfortable in the role of centre-forward, but then the goals gave him confidence,” noted the ex-coach.

“Allegri convinced him, and in the last two matches, I’ve seen him much more relaxed, free, and cheerful. And he helps the team: he takes part, he’s involved, and he’s probably fresher athletically. He runs less since he’s not required to track back, but he’s just as accountable. He knows that he has to be more clinical than ever in the box.”

Napoli, on the other hand, have reacted to a 2-0 loss against Bologna before the break with three consecutive victories, including one away at Roma this past weekend.

During the international break, Conte took several days off, remaining at his home in Turin and leaving his staff members in charge of training sessions in Naples.

“That’s why I criticised him. I think he showed a lack of respect towards the players he was supposed to coach,” argued Capello.

“Those were not on international duty. He risked making them feel like second-tier players. He should have told them first: ‘I’ll let you work with my staff.’”

Results, however, have proved the Italian tactician right.

“Antonio seems to want to find enemies within himself, but each of us has our own way of handling moments. The results prove him right; any other philosophical argument doesn’t amount to much,” noted Capello.

As Napoli are expected to be involved in the title race until the very end of the season, Capello feels that one player will be crucial: “One man, Lukaku. We’ve already seen how decisive he can be in our league.”