Conte doesn’t complain about Napoli transfers but sees ‘exaggerated remark’ | OneFootball

Antonio Conte won’t complain about Napoli transfers as he’s focused on the club’s development but finds a journalist question ‘unpleasant’ and an ‘exaggerated remark.’

The Partenopei sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG for €75m and signed Noah Okafor from Milan as a replacement, on loan with an option to buy.

Conte made headlines at Juventus almost 10 years ago when he complained about the transfer activity by saying that he couldn’t go to a €100 restaurant with just €10 in his pocket.

A reporter asked him today if the same situation applies to Napoli, but the Italian tactician didn’t quite like it.

“At the time, the remark was true,” he said via TuttoNapoli.

Conte doesn’t complain about Napoli transfers but sees ‘exaggerated remark’

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach gestures during the Serie A match between Napoli and Venezia at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 29, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“Sometimes, you can’t spend what others can. I don’t understand why this remark needs to be exaggerated. And why do I have to carry this remark around, being labelled as someone who just asks and asks? I don’t get it. I find this question unpleasant just because of the quote. Ask it again without the quote; it’s completely unnecessary.”

Several media reports said Conte was unhappy with Napoli transfers, but the coach insisted that this was not true.

“After seven months, I believe even more that I can do what I’ve done in the past at every club: help the club grow. That is my goal,” he said.

“The past is there, it’s clear, but some people refuse to see it. Everywhere I’ve been, the club has grown in every aspect. At Napoli, I want to help the club grow.

“The All Blacks always say: ‘Leave the jersey better than you found it.’ I want to leave something better for the day I eventually leave, and I hope that will be in many years. The club must grow if we want to remain competitive. Football evolves, and what was done in the past needs to be reviewed, even tactically.

“The club must grow, but I focus on how to help the club rather than just one player,” continued Conte.

“What is the main issue? We need infrastructure, a training centre, a ‘Casa Napoli,’ a sense of belonging, and a youth academy, which currently does not exist. Instead of thinking about spending 50, 60, or 70m on a player, I will never make an issue out of that, but I will always speak about the club’s growth, as I have done since arriving.

“I must support and help the sporting director, who is young but talented and needs to go through his journey. I am here to support the De Laurentiis family. I am here because I have experience at Napoli and want to share my vision. Everything else is nonsense. Claims that I am angry about this or that. I am not angry; I am happy with what I am developing with the players. I come here with joy because the players give everything.

“The other goal is to strive for excellence with what we have. We shouldn’t think about what we could have had. Let’s focus on what we have! Let’s not ruin what has been built with hard work. It seems like everything is taken for granted here, but nothing is guaranteed when you consider where we started. I am talking about building. I hope that is clear!

“I am here to help the club grow with my advice. Then, the club decides whether to follow it or not. I can’t intervene. But I am here to build something solid that lasts into the future. You don’t compete just by signing players worth 50, 60, or 70m or spending 150m on the market while selling for 75m. The essence is work and planning.

“All I can do is speak and say what needs to be done to improve. But the decisions are not up to me. From the beginning, I have tried to understand my surroundings, adapt, and find the right ways to improve things. I will continue to do so, as always.”

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 08: Alessandro Buongiorno of Napoli during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Alessandro Buongiorno is still not fully fit, so he will go on the bench against Udinese on Sunday.

“Buongiorno is improving significantly, but right now, Juan Jesus is at a higher level,” said Conte.

“So tomorrow, Jesus will start, and Buongiorno will begin on the bench while also doing some individual training to return to his previous level.”

How about new signings, Philip Billing and Okafor?

“Billing is a serious professional; he is adapting to our methods,” said Conte.

“Due to all the problems we’ve had, we organized a friendly match against Giugliano this week, which allowed me to see him in a real game situation.

“He is working well, is physically in good shape, and is fitting into our style of play. He is serious and committed, and he will help us. Okafor arrived just four days ago, so he is not yet in optimal condition. He has started working intensely with additional training sessions. He will be on the bench tomorrow, but his playing time will be very limited.

“We fear nothing. We respect everyone, but fear is not in our vocabulary,” continued Conte, talking about the upcoming Serie A game.

“Udinese is a strong, physically structured team and dangerous on the counterattack. We must be cautious on set pieces as they have many players over 1.90 meters tall. Every game requires respect, and we must fight for every match as we have done so far.”