Napoli coach Conte: No way back for Osimhen

Victor Osimhen will not play first-team football with Napoli this year after he was cut out of the official squad, according to coach Antonio Conte.

Osimhen’s direct replacement Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to score and inspire Napoli to a 2-1 comeback win over Parma at a rocking Diego Maradona Stadium Saturday night.

And afterwards Conte was clear Osimhen will not be reinstated to the Napoli squad.

“Reinstatements? This is the squad,” he declared.

“I talked about cohesion. Cohesion is the basis of respecting the rules, those who don’t respect them are not part of the group.

“Hats off to the club, the president has shown coherence in the face of a significant economic loss.”

He spoke specifically on Osimhen.

“I am sorry for Osimhen, it’s a shame,” he said.

“I am sorry for the club that didn’t cash in.

“I am sorry for myself because we didn’t complete (the transfer window) as I would like.

“However, the club were consistent in this situation, I praise this.”

Napoli sports director Giovanni Manna said Osimhen made it “absolutely” clear he does not wish to remain at the club.

“The situation has been clear since the end of last season, Victor does not want to stay in Naples and not play anymore,” he said.

“We tried to accommodate him, but the market was complicated with supply and demand.

“We maintain our line of coherence, he wants to leave and we have made other choices.”