"He is playing at half his capacity": will the De Bruyne and Napoli story end in January?

A major crisis at the southern Italian club

Kevin De Bruyne's struggles at Napoli show no sign of easing. The Belgian missed a penalty in the last match against Venezia, denying his side a draw and deepening the crisis as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

Questions now surround the midfielder's future in Naples, with growing calls to sort out his situation in a way that protects the club.

Sky Sport Italia journalist Massimo Ugolini has openly doubted how committed the Belgian really is to his spell at Napoli. He reckons the matter needs clearing up fast, even if that means a decision as early as January.

Writing via Sky Sport Insider, as reported by Il Napolista, Ugolini said: "Beyond the missed penalty, De Bruyne does not look like someone who feels he made the right decision in coming to Napoli."

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He added: "This is something that must be clarified quickly, even in January, with everyone, foremost the Belgian player, bearing responsibility for a decision that protects the club's interests. There is no sense in keeping a player of his value when he is giving half of his energy."

De Bruyne came off the bench in Saturday's defeat to Venezia and saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Filip Stankovic. It came just a week after he clashed with manager Massimiliano Allegri during the 3-1 Champions League loss to Villarreal.

Ugolini did not pin Napoli's problems on the Belgian alone. He listed a string of other causes, among them "almost non-existent summer signings, an exhausted squad, a run of injuries, widespread discontent among players whose contracts are nearing their end, and sometimes unconvincing choices from the manager", according to Football Italia.

The position of club president Aurelio De Laurentiis also came under the spotlight. "The president's silence has not yet caused a stir," Ugolini said. "Perhaps that is a sign that they do not want to repeat the mistakes of three years ago." Napoli burned through three managers during the 2023-2024 season and finished tenth, having started it as reigning Serie A champions.

Tuesday brings Bodo/Glimt to Naples, with Roma arriving on Saturday. Both fixtures land amid mounting questions over Napoli's form and Allegri's future.

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