Carlo Ancelotti warns Lorenzo Insigne can’t the only “leader” at Napoli, while confirming Kieran Trippier interest and ignoring Nicolò Barella.
There have been calls for local lad Insigne to hand the armband over to someone else, perhaps Kalidou Koulibaly, who is less prone to nerves and tension with the fans.
Carlo Ancelotti warns Lorenzo Insigne can’t the only “leader” at Napoli, while confirming Kieran Trippier interest and ignoring Nicolò Barella.
There have been calls for local lad Insigne to hand the armband over to someone else, perhaps Kalidou Koulibaly, who is less prone to nerves and tension with the fans.
“Insigne can be a captain, he represents the shirt, but we need other leaders in the dressing room,” the tactician revealed in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Roma.
“We have a few leaders in the squad already, players like Dries Mertens, Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon and Allan, but we need more.
“Signing a top player gives a boost to the team and can be a bonus for the Coach, and we are looking at a bringing in someone with these characteristics.
“Kieran Trippier played well with Tottenham the other night, but we are looking at many other players and it’s not right to name names right now. However, Nicolò Barella isn’t part of our plans.
“We certainly missed Albiol when he was injured this season, but I’m not a fault for Simone Verdi’s lack of game time, as he has been carrying injuries.
“People ask about Marek Hamsik, but with all due respect, I don’t think that even with him here our results would have been any better.
“The players who come in this summer will come because they are impressed with our quality and results, second place is nothing to scoff at. There are still big teams that don’t know if they will qualify for the Champions League or not.
“I love this city, even though it is full of contradictions. Paris, London and Munich are all very different.”
Fans have recently been boycotting the San Paolo amid protests against President Aurelio De Laurentiis lack of investment and a perceived lack of motivation of the players.
“Everyone wants a full Stadium, in certain matches the fans are essential. Anfield is the perfect example, the fans there, support the team no matter the result.
“We have become too comfortable in Italy, we prefer to stay at home. I, on the other hand, like to experience the emotions of a live match.”