Allegri downplays Fabregas tension, says Badiashile ‘a bit behind’ after Chelsea move

Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri downplays tensions with Cesc Fabregas, admits Benoît Badiashile is ‘a bit behind’ after his move from Chelsea and hints that he might not need new signings: ‘It would make no sense to add players who don’t raise the team’s technical level.’

Allegri previewed Napoli’s home game against Como at a press conference on Saturday.

Napoli vs. Como – Allegri’s pre-match press conference

“It’s the first at home. It will be exciting in our stadium and with our fans,” Allegri said via TuttoNapoli.

“We face a Como side that has done extraordinary things. They are the new reality of Italian football for what they’ve done and the qualification [to the Champions League] they obtained.

“They are well organised and have good technique. We’ll need a good game to get a result. In this phase, fitness levels are not ideal; temperatures are still high, and it will be important to maintain good technique and be smart.”

Safe to say Allegri and Fabregas didn’t really get along last season, as the pair clashed after a Serie A match between Allegri’s Milan and Como, weeks after Fabregas had criticised the Rossoneri’s playing style.

“Tension leads to arguments, but that’s it. No problem. Allegri doesn’t play Fabregas tomorrow, but Napoli-Como,” Allegri said.

“He [Fabregas] is someone who truly promises very well; he has already achieved excellent results. Like him, there are many other young coaches who can do well, foreign but also Italian.”

Napoli beat Genoa 2-0 away last weekend with goals coming from substitutes Antonio Vergara and Kevin De Bruyne. Do they have a chance to start tomorrow?

“I haven’t decided yet. It’s not guaranteed that all games will be won once Vergara and De Bruyne are introduced,” Allegri said.

“Every game is different, and we have to handle different moments.”

Napoli will begin their 2026-27 Champions League campaign at home against Arsenal.

“If we win, it’s all downhill; if not, it goes uphill. It depends on the results. It was difficult to win in Genoa as well; we face every game with desire and serenity,” Allegri said.

“In Europe, all the matches are difficult; there are no easy teams. Teams are organised tactically and physically. Then it depends on what moments of the league phase you take them at. We start with Arsenal; you live to play these matches, but we will have time to think about it.”

Lastly, the Italian tactician spoke about Napoli’s potential moves in the final days of the summer transfer window.

So far, the Partenopei have been fairly quiet, having only signed Costantino Favasuli from Serie B side Benevento and Badiashile on loan from Chelsea.

“I’m happy with the team I have at my disposal, as I said last week,” Allegri insisted.

“We have problems with the lists, and someone will have to remain out. It would make no sense to add players who don’t raise the team’s technical level. I’m happy, so we keep working with these players. Badiashile is a bit behind; he has trained little with the team at Chelsea and needs some time, but we are only at the beginning, and we need to think about the match against Como.”