Napoli boss Antonio Conte is happy to reunite together with his former participant Cesc Fabregas after they meet as rival coaches in Friday’s Serie A match in opposition to Como.
Conte has led the Partenopei to the highest of Serie A for the primary time since they gained the Scudetto in 2022-23, with a return of 13 factors from six video games placing them one away from Juventus.
They’ve taken seven factors from their final three, as have newly promoted Como, who journey to Naples sitting simply inside the highest half.
Conte labored with Como boss Fabregas at Chelsea, the Spaniard taking part in a key position in his midfield because the Blues gained the Premier League in 2017 and the FA Cup in 2018.
“His journey is creating shortly; it’s been nice to see to date. He’s proving that he’s very ready in each side,” Conte stated of Fabregas at a press convention on Wednesday.
“I all the time thought he might turn into a coach. He performed in the midst of the pitch and all the time requested why sure issues have been carried out. I’m glad for him.”
One other former Chelsea participant, Romelu Lukaku, joined Conte in Naples in August and has scored two league targets and supplied two assists for his new membership.
Conte stated the striker remains to be working to hit peak bodily situation, including: “He’s working exhausting and beginning to deal with the identical workload as his team-mates.
“Nonetheless, he wants particular coaching as a result of his physique features otherwise from many others. However now he’s starting to get into good condition.
“He’s completely built-in into the staff, and on the sphere, he’s all the time somebody who, it doesn’t matter what, makes a distinction.”
Conte emphasised that Napoli have been nonetheless rising as a staff, regardless of many tipping them for a Scudetto push following their sturdy begin.
“Like everybody, we’re working to maintain enhancing in all areas, tactically, in our decision-making, and in our general sport administration,” he stated.
“It’s solely been three months, so there’s room for enchancment in each side, however I can see progress not simply tactically, but additionally by way of character, dedication and starvation.”