‘Napoli would have been table leaders with Kvaratskhelia’ | OneFootball

Former Napoli player Salvatore Bagni believes the Partenopei would have been the Serie A table leaders if they still had Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and doesn’t see Antonio Conte leaving in the summer.

Napoli are fighting for the Scudetto despite a poor run of form in the last seven games, where they collected just one victory.

Nevertheless, Bagni, a Serie A winner at Napoli in 1986-87, believes the Partenopei will fight for the Scudetto until the end of the campaign.

“The standings say Napoli are just one game behind Inter,” he told Gazzetta.

“Have you seen Inter’s upcoming fixtures? Do you think their next game without Dumfries, Bastoni, and Lautaro will be a walk in the park?

“It’s true that nobody expected Napoli’s draw in Venice and that Inzaghi was spectacular in Bergamo, but nine games are remaining, plus Milan in the Coppa Italia and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Those are big challenges.”

Conte is under contract until 2027, but there are reports that Juventus want to bring him back to the club next season.

“Conte is somebody everyone admires,” Bagni admitted.

“It’s evident to me that Napoli would not release a coach of this caliber. He has shaped the team and knows exactly what to do and how to intervene.

Bagni: ‘Napoli would have been table leaders with Kvaratskhelia’

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Napoli head coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“He has already achieved everything he was asked to do. He’s in the Champions League and is fighting for the Scudetto. I challenge anyone to find a coach with such a clear and decisive impact after a disappointing season.”

So, what does Bagni see in Napoli’s future?

“Simple: continuity in the project. For me, Conte is absolutely the best coach available,” he argued.

“He has an incredible ability to instil emotions in the players and entirely change their mindset. He transforms them on and off the pitch.”

However, the 68-year-old regrets that Napoli sold Kvaratskhelia in the January transfer window.

“Kvara’s sale falls into the transfer market dynamics; I won’t interfere with it,” he said.

“I can only imagine what Napoli would have been with him. I watched both PSG matches against Liverpool and saw a complete footballer, dangerous even when playing on the right. He is still the team’s fourth-top scorer despite leaving two months ago. I’m not saying Napoli would have already won the title if he were still there, but they would have surely been in first place.”

Kvara scored five goals and provided three assists in 17 Serie A appearances with Napoli in the first part of 2024-25.

The Georgia international joined Napoli for just €13m in 2022 and left in January 2025 for a reported €70m fee.