Antonio Conte has issued a no-nonsense response to Noa Lang after the Napoli winger claimed he has spoken to his manager just once since joining the Serie A side from PSV Eindhoven.
Lang, who signed a five-year deal with the Serie A champions in late July, was complimentary of Conte and his methods when he spoke at his first press conference as a Napoli player this summer.
In fact, the 26-year-old described Conte as "the perfect coach" for him to grow as a player.
"I hadn’t even joined Napoli yet, but we spoke on the phone and he immediately explained everything to me very clearly," Lang said back in July. "I am ready to do what he needs me to do.”
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Lang was convinced that the opportunity to join one of Italy's biggest clubs would help improve his overall game, but the Netherlands international has been unable to showcase his true ability in Naples so far.
In fact, Lang has not started a single game for Napoli this season, with his 110 minutes of game time coming from six substitute appearances.
He was once again brought off the bench on Tuesday night as the Italian side suffered a humiliating 6-2 defeat against former club PSV in the Champions League.
And after the full-time whistle, Lang delivered a telling post-match interview.
"Do I play little? I prefer not to say anything about it," he said, as per Tuttomercatoweb. "I think every player wants to play, right? I think that says it all. I don't know what else I can do. I'm training hard. I have to bite my tongue a little."
"But I have no other choice," added Lang. "I signed a contract here, so I have to accept it as it is now. I have no other choice. Do I speak to the coach? No, not so much. Yes, I spoke to him once, but now we're talking about the game that's more important."
Antonio Conte hits back at Noa Lang comments following PSV defeat
In his post-match media duties, Conte was asked for his thoughts on Lang's claims. It's fair to say he didn't hold back.
“Lang spent the full pre-season with us and played some games, but he was never a starter,” he said, as per Tuttomercatoweb.
“I repeat, we must talk about the team and not about individuals, otherwise it would be armful. Noa has to work, and he’ll go to the pitch when I decide it. Otherwise, he’ll stay on the bench.”
Conte also believes Napoli made a mistake by signing nine players in the summer transfer window as they now lack balance.
"It’s difficult because we conceded too easily, for sure we have to try to find the right motivation," he told Ziggo Sport.
"Last season we won an incredible Scudetto, and I think maybe we have to find again the right to be humble, to give time to the new players… nine players. Maybe it was a mistake, a mistake to put nine new players inside a squad because it’s not easy and it changed totally."
Conte added: "But, I repeat, we have to try to work together, to do better in the next game."
Topics: Antonio Conte, Napoli, Italy, Serie A, Transfers, Netherlands
Jack Kenmare