Italian TV personality Peppe Quintale shared insights on Antonio Conte and Napoli during his appearance on the radio program “1 Football Night.” He discussed his reaction to seeing Conte manage Napoli, considering Conte`s Juventus history. Quintale mentioned it wasn`t as surprising as Ancelotti`s move, acknowledging Conte`s strong Juventus ties but emphasizing his professionalism and dedication to Napoli. He humorously commented on Napoli president De Laurentiis` potential stress due to Conte`s demands.
Quintale revealed that he had dinner with a former Milan player who disclosed that Milan had made serious contact with Conte, despite Conte being under contract with Napoli. He speculated about weaknesses in Milan`s management this year and suggested Conte`s disciplined approach would prevent unprofessional behavior, referencing Theo Hernandez. He also noted the fluid nature of contracts in football.
Regarding Napoli`s transfer strategy, Quintale believes Conte might be using Milan`s interest to pressure De Laurentiis to invest in reinforcements for a competitive Champions League campaign. He highlighted Conte`s readiness to resign if his demands aren`t met, confident in finding other top clubs. Quintale believes a mutual understanding will be reached between Conte and De Laurentiis, but Conte`s priority is strengthening the team, especially after injuries exposed squad depth issues.
Quintale defended Napoli goalkeeper Meret, comparing him to Maignan and arguing that Meret is a reliable goalkeeper deserving of a contract renewal, despite criticisms. Discussing Napoli`s attack and Lukaku, he acknowledged divided opinions. While appreciating Simeone`s contributions, he stated Simeone isn`t a primary option for a team with high ambitions. He suggested Napoli should seek a young, talented attacker to complement Lukaku, emphasizing Lukaku`s all-around contribution under Conte, beyond just scoring goals. He noted the scarcity of top strikers and the trend of midfielders contributing more to scoring. He anticipates Lukaku staying at Napoli but needing quality attacking support.
Finally, assessing Napoli`s squad for the Champions League, Quintale considers the midfield well-covered but recommends strengthening both attack and defense, specifically needing a central defender and a full-back. He expressed his desire to see Berardi alongside Lukaku, envisioning a strong tactical partnership, though he remains skeptical about this transfer happening due to Berardi`s long association with Sassuolo.