Manna: ‘Napoli prepared for De Bruyne replacement, next strategy is different’

Napoli director of sport Giovanni Manna confirms they are ‘looking around’ for a Kevin De Bruyne replacement, but the transfer strategy had been to ‘improve the reserves.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Juventus-Sporting CP on the Liveblog.

There remains a lengthy injury list for this match, including Leonardo Spinazzola, Billy Gilmour, Alex Meret and of course De Bruyne, the Belgian out for three to four months following surgery for a thigh muscle tear.

Considering the length of the absence, are Napoli preparing to sign a replacement in January?

“Kevin’s injury is extremely damaging for us, because there are few players with that kind of quality, his start had been good, and he could only have improved. We are looking around, as is natural and fair, and at the right moment we will be ready,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia.

Much has been said about the struggle to get new players settling into the Scudetto winners, but this evening summer signings Rasmus Hojlund, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Miguel Gutierrez and Eljif Elmas are all starting.

“We always said it required some patience to let them settle in, as it is not easy to introduce nine new faces to a consolidated group, especially from other leagues. Some have made the process faster than others, we are confident the others will be able to earn their spot too soon enough.

“The work of the coach is fundamental and if we are getting results now, it is thanks to the coach and his staff. We are aware that we’re coming off a negative Champions League result. Unfortunately, players are not machines, it will take time and not everyone reacts the same way.

“If results go well, it becomes easier to settle into the new context.”

Antonio Conte said in his pre-match comments that Gutierrez and Elmas were “the good novelties” from the transfer market, as others have made less of an impact.

“I always said as the coach said we had 12-13 first choice players last season for a very strong team, which won the Scudetto and qualified for the Champions League,” insisted Manna.

“What we needed was to improve the reserves, because it is honestly not easy to improve upon Lobotka, McTominay, Anguissa, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Di Lorenzo, Olivera, Lukaku, Politano, Neres or until January Kvaratskhelia.

“We tried to do our best, I think we achieved that in some roles, but with others it will take a little time. What we needed this summer was to bolster the bench. Our transfer strategy for the next session will be very different.”