Timing of McTominay Napoli transfer upset Conte

It wasn’t only about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s move to PSG in the January transfer window, but it also involved new signings.

The Partenopei secured the services of several key players, including McTominay and Lukaku, in the final week of the 2024 summer transfer window, leaving Conte disappointed.

“I think everyone is aware of what happened in January. During the season, some things didn’t really make me happy,” Conte admitted.

“New players arrived only in the last week [of the 2024 summer transfer window]. McTominay, Gilmour, Neres and Lukaku. Honestly, I didn’t like that.”

Napoli’s poor start to 2024-25 season

It is no coincidence, perhaps, that Napoli lost their first 2024-25 Serie A match 3-0 away at Hellas Verona. The Partenopei would only lose three more games across the previous campaign, securing their third Serie A title in three years.

“I believe I was good at accepting and not giving excuses to my players and myself,” Conte concluded.

“When you sign, there are honours and duties. When we spoke, they admitted there had been mistakes; it happens in the first year of marriage. As long as I was reassured on this aspect, we continued. We must defend the Scudetto and protect our work.”