De Bruyne fades again as Napoli's midfield puzzle drags on

Kevin De Bruyne walked through the game against Fiorentina without leaving a mark. Slow on the ball, no spark to lift Napoli's play — his display at the Franchi (Fiorentina's stadium) brings back a question that has dragged on for weeks: where and how to get the best out of him in Allegri's Napoli.

At the Franchi, in the middle of the pitch, Allegri fielded Gilmour, De Bruyne, Vergara and Lobotka, with Rrahmani, Marín and Di Lorenzo across the back in Buongiorno's absence. Vergara, who has signed a contract until 2031, got his starting shirt — he was not the big omission, as tends to be said about him. The problem, if anything, is further forward: with four quality players on the pitch, Napoli could not build enough to stay ahead after Gilmour's opener.

A midfield already under pressure

Allegri's options in that department are thinner than they look, and the futures of some are unresolved too. André-Frank Anguissa was only added back to the squad for Florence at the last minute after a muscle strain, then picked up a new groin problem after the final whistle. Scott McTominay, who had heart ablation surgery in Manchester on 9 September, returned to Castel Volturno only on Monday 21 September, with his recovery time still to be assessed. Contract renewals remain stuck in the background too — Anguissa, Lobotka (whose deal runs to 30 June 2027), and McTominay himself, for whom Real Madrid, under Mourinho, have made offers outside the club's usual parameters. With two starters out or half fit and the contracts unresolved, managing De Bruyne and Vergara weighs even more heavily on the head coach.

De Laurentiis, on 17 September, ruled out any change of coach — trust in Allegri is not in question, but the team still needs a recognisable shape. The two-week international break, with the two friendlies Allegri has announced, is the window to try to rebuild the midfield before things get serious again.

The first test is set: Napoli-Frosinone, Saturday 10 October at 20:45 CET at the Maradona. That is where it will become clear whether Allegri has solved the De Bruyne puzzle, or whether the midfield remains the problem of this start to the season.