Sky Sport Italia journalist Massimo Ugolini has questioned Kevin De Bruyne’s commitment to Napoli, suggesting the situation may need to be resolved as early as January.
According to Il Napolista, Ugolini wrote on Sky Sport Insider: “Missed penalty aside, De Bruyne doesn’t seem to have, at the very least, the attitude of someone who made the right choice in coming to Napoli.”
“It’s something that needs clarifying quickly, even in January, with everyone, the Belgian first and foremost, taking responsibility for a decision that protects the club’s interests. It would make no sense to keep a player of his calibre at half capacity.”
De Bruyne came off the bench in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Venezia and had a penalty saved by Filip Stankovic. He had also clashed with Massimiliano Allegri during last week’s 3-1 Champions League loss at Villarreal.
Napoli’s problems go beyond De Bruyne
Ugolini believes the Belgian is far from the only issue. He listed “an almost non-existent transfer window, a worn-out group, a string of injuries, widespread discontent among those whose contracts are expiring, sometimes unconvincing choices by the coach and the Lucca flop.”
He also noted that Aurelio De Laurentiis has so far stayed quiet. “The president’s silence isn’t making noise yet. Perhaps it’s a sign they don’t want to repeat the mistakes of three years ago.”
That was the 2023-24 campaign, when Napoli went through three coaches and finished 10th as defending champions.
Napoli have 10 points from seven games, their worst start since Roberto Donadoni’s side in 2009-10. They host Bodø/Glimt on Tuesday before Roma visit on Saturday.