Napoli manager Antonio Conte has conceded that recruiting nine new players during the summer transfer window was potentially an error in judgement following his team's crushing 6-2 Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening.
The Italian tactician suggested that the extensive overhaul, which brought high-profile signings Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund to Naples alongside seven other arrivals, has created an imbalance within the squad.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport after the match, Conte acknowledged: "Maybe it was a mistake, a mistake to put nine new players inside a squad because it's not easy and it changed totally."
The admission marks a stark contrast to the unity that characterised Napoli's title-winning campaign last season.
Antonio Conte has admitted signings like Kevin de Bruyne in the summer might have been a mistake
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The defeat in Eindhoven represented Napoli's second loss in four days, having fallen 1-0 to Torino on Saturday.
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay provided rare positives for the visitors, netting twice - first opening the scoring before adding another with five minutes remaining.
However, PSV dominated proceedings, racing to a 4-1 advantage before McTominay's second strike.
The situation worsened for Napoli when Lorenzo Lucca received his marching orders in the 76th minute for disputing with the referee.
Rasmus Hojlund was also among the signings in the summer, joining from Manchester United on loan
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The heavy defeat leaves the reigning Serie A champions languishing in 22nd position in the Champions League's 36-team league phase after three matches, whilst PSV climbed to 11th place.
Conte expanded on his concerns during his post-match press conference, drawing unfavourable comparisons with the previous campaign.
"Last year, we won an extraordinary and incredible championship, where everyone pushed their limits with great unity and unity across the board," the 56-year-old explained.
He emphasised that the current squad lacks the cohesion of their title-winning predecessors: "This year, however, between playing so many games and bringing in so many players... in my opinion, nine new players were too many. We weren't balanced."
The former Chelsea manager stressed that integrating such a large number of new faces requires patience: "We signed nine players, but it takes time and patience."
PSV thrashed Napoli 6-2 in a surprising result in the Champions League on Tuesday
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The summer recruitment drive brought in Sam Beukema, Noa Lang, Miguel Gutierrez, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Eljif Elmas and Lucas Marianucci alongside the marquee additions of De Bruyne and Hojlund.
De Bruyne endured a difficult evening against PSV, struggling to influence proceedings before Conte withdrew him during the second half.
Hojlund was absent from the fixture due to a thigh problem.
The injury list extends beyond Hojlund, with striker Romelu Lukaku sidelined since sustaining a serious thigh muscle injury in pre-season.
Napoli have found themselves in a slump recently
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Midfielders Stanislav Lobotka and Amir Rrahmani also remain unavailable.
Napoli face a swift turnaround, hosting Inter Milan in Serie A action on Saturday as they attempt to arrest their recent slide.