Former Napoli striker Roberto 'El Pampa' Sosa has questioned whether Antonio Conte's cycle at the club is already over, casting doubt over the coach's future as the club prepares for a pivotal summer. Speaking in an interview, Sosa suggested the team requires significant reflection following a "disgraceful season" plagued by injuries and underwhelming market moves, with the manager's position central to planning.
Sosa pointed to recent performances against Parma and Lazio as sparking his doubt about Conte's tenure, despite acknowledging the coach's proven track record. He stated that the level of play has been enjoyable in only "seven or eight games" this season, emphasizing that only Conte knows what he wants from himself and what project he can share. The former attacker highlighted the unresolved issue of Conte having only one year left on his contract, suggesting the coach would not be pleased with that situation and questioning whether a simple renewal would suffice if it meant keeping an eye on the budget.
According to Sosa, the club's strategy in the transfer market will depend entirely on who is in the dugout and the tactical approach they wish to implement. He pondered whether Napoli will continue with Conte's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation or return to a trident attack, noting the squad has players capable of adapting to either system. The need for a competitive squad in the Champions League is another factor, with Sosa questioning whether the ambition is merely to participate or to progress deep into the competition.
In terms of squad reinforcements, Sosa identified several areas requiring attention, though he stopped short of calling for a radical overhaul. He expressed perplexity over the goalkeeper situation, where Alex Meret has featured in only around ten games and Nikita Milinkovic-Savic has not fully convinced. The defender also suggested a new central defender is needed due to Juan Jesus's age, a midfielder if Frank Anguissa is sold, a deputy for striker Rasmus Hojlund given Romelu Lukaku's apparent departure, and a potential alternative to captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Sosa described Anguissa as a particular point of reflection, questioning whether the club still has the "extraordinary midfielder with few equals" from his Premier League days or a player now struggling for consistency. Despite these needs, he affirmed that Napoli possesses a base of "absolute consistency" with competitive players in every area of the pitch. The overarching theme from his analysis is that the club's direction remains unclear until the fundamental issue of the managerial position is resolved, setting the stage for a summer where sporting ambitions and financial realities must be aligned.
