Manna: ‘Napoli prepared for De Bruyne replacement, next strategy is different’ | OneFootball

Napoli director of sport Giovanni Manna confirms they are ‘looking around’ for a Kevin De Bruyne replacement, but the transfer strategy had been to ‘improve the reserves.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Juventus-Sporting CP on the Liveblog.

NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli injured during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

There remains a lengthy injury list for this match, including Leonardo Spinazzola, Billy Gilmour, Alex Meret and of course De Bruyne, the Belgian out for three to four months following surgery for a thigh muscle tear.

Considering the length of the absence, are Napoli preparing to sign a replacement in January?

“Kevin’s injury is extremely damaging for us, because there are few players with that kind of quality, his start had been good, and he could only have improved. We are looking around, as is natural and fair, and at the right moment we will be ready,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia.

NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between SSC Napoli and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli had precise strategy this summer

Much has been said about the struggle to get new players settling into the Scudetto winners, but this evening summer signings Rasmus Hojlund, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Miguel Gutierrez and Eljif Elmas are all starting.

“We always said it required some patience to let them settle in, as it is not easy to introduce nine new faces to a consolidated group, especially from other leagues. Some have made the process faster than others, we are confident the others will be able to earn their spot too soon enough.

“The work of the coach is fundamental and if we are getting results now, it is thanks to the coach and his staff. We are aware that we’re coming off a negative Champions League result. Unfortunately, players are not machines, it will take time and not everyone reacts the same way.

“If results go well, it becomes easier to settle into the new context.”

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Miguel Gutierrez of SSC Napoli in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte said in his pre-match comments that Gutierrez and Elmas were “the good novelties” from the transfer market, as others have made less of an impact.

“I always said as the coach said we had 12-13 first choice players last season for a very strong team, which won the Scudetto and qualified for the Champions League,” insisted Manna.

“What we needed was to improve the reserves, because it is honestly not easy to improve upon Lobotka, McTominay, Anguissa, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Di Lorenzo, Olivera, Lukaku, Politano, Neres or until January Kvaratskhelia.

“We tried to do our best, I think we achieved that in some roles, but with others it will take a little time. What we needed this summer was to bolster the bench. Our transfer strategy for the next session will be very different.”