Naples: nothing is going right for Kevin De Bruyne

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·1 October 2025

Naples: nothing is going right for Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne in total meltdown in Naples

Naples: nothing is going right for Kevin De Bruyne

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The scene did not go unnoticed. On Sunday against AC Milan, Kevin De Bruyne left the pitch visibly furious, completely ignoring Antonio Conte as he was substituted. This gesture immediately reignited debate around the real impact of the 34-year-old Belgian midfielder at Napoli. Already criticized for his inconsistent performances since the start of the season, the former Manchester City star is enduring one of the toughest spells of his career. Pierpaolo Marino, the club's former sporting director, did not mince his words. On the set of Il Bello del Calcio, he delivered a no-holds-barred analysis:

"Right now, the problem for Napoli is De Bruyne. He makes Napoli predictable, he treads on McTominay's toes, he doesn't score or finish like he did last year, and that's obvious. The problem is huge. Kevin even argues about being substituted because he is convinced he's still making a big contribution. In this Napoli team, he's only made a mark by taking penalties, but you don't need a player of De Bruyne's caliber for that."

Conte facing a tricky dilemma

Under contract until 2026, De Bruyne is, on paper, still a dressing room leader. But his current performances present a clear tactical issue. Too central, too slow, he sometimes hampers Napoli's attacking fluidity and clashes with the rise of McTominay. Antonio Conte, already under pressure after a shaky start to the season, will have to make a quick decision: keep faith in his long-time playmaker or acknowledge a difficult decline. For now, it's an equation that is destabilizing both the player and his manager.