"I was presumptuous to think I could convince Kvaratskhelia"

Napoli coach Antonio Conte confessed on Sunday that he was “upset” at not having been able to make Khvicha Kvaratskhelia want to continue at the club, although he pointed out that the player still belongs to the Italian team and that anything can happen.

Conte revealed on Saturday at a press conference that 'Kvara' expressed his intention to leave the team in this winter market, unleashing again the chaos in Naples, which already lost, this summer, the Nigerian Victor Osimhen. Together, they formed the mythical duo of the 2023 'Scudetto'.

The coach clarified his words after the victory against Hellas Verona and pointed out that there are still many steps to go, something that could end with 'Kvara' wearing the shirt until the end of the season.

“I have spoken of disappointment of mine for not having managed to make 'Kvara' stay in these six months that I have been here. It's not that 'Kvara' or the club disappointed me. It's just that I thought I could influence him differently in these months and I've realised that wasn't the case,” he told ‘DAZN’ after the duel.

“He's a fantastic guy. It upsets me because, maybe, I've been a bit presumptuous, these six months, to think I could change his mind,” he pointed out. “It's a shame because he's a very important player. Today, however, 'Kvara' is a Napoli player. We must not forget that. There are still steps to take in the operation. Someone has to come to buy Khvicha. We'll see what happens,” he said.