Napoli, Elmas Conte’s key man: the twelfth starter for balance | OneFootball

In the Napoli built by Antonio Conte, there is a player who perfectly embodies the idea of team, intensity, and tactical versatility: Eljif Elmas. Not just a luxury substitute or an emergency change anymore, but a constant presence in the blue lineup.

Napoli, Elmas, Conte’s Extra Man: The Twelfth Starter Keeping the Blues Balanced

As reported by Corriere dello Sport, the Macedonian midfielder has become the true "twelfth man" of Napoli, always ready to start or come off the bench with the same effectiveness, just like with Spalletti in the year of the third championship.

In Bologna, once again, he will complete the attacking trio starting from the left. Conte considers him an indispensable player: “Elmas gives me balance, intensity, and a spirit of sacrifice. He’s one of those who help the team breathe,” the coach confided in one of the latest internal conferences.

Total versatility: from offensive winger to emergency playmaker

Elmas is the prototype of the modern player so dear to Conte. This season, the coach has used him as a left winger in the trio, a mezzala, an attacking midfielder, and even a deep-lying playmaker when Napoli had to do without Lobotka and Gilmour. In every role, the Macedonian has shown tactical maturity, a sense of positioning, and willingness to sacrifice.

His performance is not measured only in goals or assists, but in the collective impact he offers: balance, coverage, high pressing, and the ability to read transitions. A player who "fills the field" and allows more offensive teammates, like Hojlund and Neres, to express themselves at their best.

Conte and Absolute Trust: “I Wanted Elmas Already in January”

The relationship between Conte and Elmas goes way back. During last season, the coach had asked the club to bring him back to Napoli already in the January market, but due to issues related to non-EU slots, the operation was postponed. “I considered him a valuable player for balance and mentality,” Conte reportedly told the management.

The opportunity came again in the summer, and the coach did not hesitate: Elmas had to return to Napoli. A decision that today proves decisive: the former Torino and Leipzig player has become a silent pillar of the technical project, a guarantee for any formation or game situation.

From Revival to Confirmation: The Return of the “All-Rounder”

Elmas was one of the protagonists of the 2023 championship, the third top scorer behind Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia. After a stint away from Maradona, he returned more aware of his abilities and with a new silent leadership. Conte considers him among the most “mature” of the group: a player who has evolved not only technically but also character-wise.

Today, Napoli finds in him a player who attacks and defends with the same clarity, capable of alternating aggression and coverage. And when it’s necessary to build from the back, Elmas has shown he can also handle playmaking duties: his adaptation in the playmaker role, in the absence of the starters, has convinced the technical staff.

Another Confirmation in Bologna: Elmas on the Left in the Trio

Against Bologna, Napoli will once again rely on his versatility. Conte will deploy him on the left flank of the offensive trio, where Elmas offers density and support to the defensive phase. A choice of trust and continuity, but also of balance: with him on the field, Napoli concedes less and builds better.

The feeling is that, by now, Elmas is no longer just a simple alternative but a fixed presence, an indispensable element for Conte’s concrete and vertical football.

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