Allegri Faces Lukaku, Anguissa, Meret Issues at Napoli

Massimiliano Allegri has not yet officially begun his Napoli tenure, still awaiting resolution of his Milan contract, and already faces immediate challenges involving striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielder Andre‑Frank Zambo Anguissa, and an unsettled goalkeeper situation. Reports say Lukaku caused friction by staying in Belgium to recover from injury rather than returning to Napoli as instructed, angering former coach Antonio Conte and the club hierarchy. Allegri reportedly admired Lukaku and attempted to sign him from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. Lukaku has one year left on his contract, making a resolution unlikely before the World Cup concludes. Andre‑Frank Zambo Anguissa’s rehabilitation is a priority. He was sensational in Napoli’s title‑winning campaigns but has been a shadow of himself after a serious injury, finishing the season on the bench for four of the final five matches. Allegri must decide whether Anguissa can rediscover his best form or if reinforcements such as Richard Rios or Adrien Rabiot, whose contracts expire in 12 months, are required. The goalkeeper rotation between Vanja Milinkovic‑Savic, who made 27 league appearances, and Alex Meret, who kept clean sheets in his two late‑season starts, remains unresolved. Allegri will need to appoint a clear number one, a decision that could determine Meret’s future at Napoli. The situation was highlighted during the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. With the season approaching its climax, Allegri’s early assessments of Lukaku, Anguissa, and the goalkeeping options will shape Napoli’s squad stability ahead of the World Cup break, under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti’s legacy.