Napoli, Lobotka and agent criticise Conte, summer exit rumoured | OneFootball

Stanislav Lobotka’s intolerance towards Antonio Conte’s methods has finally reached Italy, albeit with a month’s delay. The statements made by the Slovak midfielder and his agent, released between October and early November to the media in his home country, have reignited the debate around the Napoli environment, already shaken after the defeat against Bologna and the internal tensions in the locker room.

Napoli, Lobotka and his agent against Conte: “With him, the next day off will be in May 2026” — the possibility of a departure at the end of the season grows

Lobotka’s words: “With Conte, no days off until May 2026”

As a guest on the Slovak podcast Iná Liga, Lobotka recounted with an ironic — but not insincere — tone the toughness of the training sessions imposed by Conte and the physical difficulties in coping with an extremely intense season.

“With him, the next day off will be in May 2026, at the end of the season. Conte is like that: discipline and a winning mentality for everyone. With a squad of 25 players, it’s not easy, but the important thing is that everyone wants to win.”

The midfielder then spoke about his physical condition, confirming he had overcome the muscle injury he suffered in October, but that he feels fatigue more than in the past:

“Before, I could play three matches in seven days, now after two days I feel heavy legs. With Conte it’s really tough, every training session is like a match. I’m not complaining, but I won’t be able to keep up this pace forever.”

Finally, a mention of his teammate Kevin De Bruyne and the pressure in Naples:

“The pressure here is always extremely high. After winning, everyone expects you to keep doing it. De Bruyne is an exemplary professional, he never complains and always gives everything. I admire him a lot.”

Agent Jašurek: “Lobotka is pushing himself too hard. If Conte stays, he might leave”

The player’s agent, Branislav Jašurek, was even more direct in an interview with Sport24.sk on October 21.

“I don’t understand why he had to play three demanding matches in just eight days before the break. It would have been better to give him some rest. I’m worried about his workload.”

Jašurek then clearly opened up to the possibility of a departure in the summer, linking his client’s future to the stay of the coach from Lecce:

“If Conte stays at Napoli, I think Stanislav could push for a transfer. He’s already 30 years old and working at such an intensity becomes almost unrealistic from a physical standpoint. The summer is still far away, but his future will also depend on the financial offers.”

A scenario to watch: Lobotka heading for a farewell?

The Slovak’s contract with Napoli was recently renewed with improved terms, but his relationship with Conte appears fragile. Lobotka is one of the pillars of the team that won the Scudetto in 2023, but the physical and mental management of the coach could push him to consider leaving at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the management is monitoring the situation: any discontent from the player could become one of the most delicate issues of the next summer transfer window.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.