Valverde can cope with Neymar conundrum, says Ancelotti

Napoli head coach Carlo Ancelotti thinks Ernesto Valverde would have a tough time picking his team if Neymar joins Barcelona.

Published : Aug 10, 2019 16:33 IST

Ernesto Valverde can handle the addition of Neymar to his squad, says the former Real Madrid manager.
Ernesto Valverde can handle the addition of Neymar to his squad, says the former Real Madrid manager.
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Ernesto Valverde can handle the addition of Neymar to his squad, says the former Real Madrid manager.

Neymar returning to Camp Nou would give Ernesto Valverde a selection problem but the Barcelona boss can handle the headache, according to Carlo Ancelotti.

Barca has been linked with a move for its former forward - now of Paris Saint-Germain - throughout the close season.

The champion of LaLiga is already blessed with plenty of attacking firepower, having added Antoine Griezmann to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho ahead of its title defence.

The vastly experienced Ancelotti, a former Real Madrid head coach, thinks the addition of another superstar forward would create a tricky balancing act, albeit one Barca boss Valverde is capable of controlling.

Read: Barca agrees €30m Junior Firpo deal

"If Neymar arrives, it will not be easy to pick the team," Napoli boss Ancelotti told reporters.

"I think Valverde has the ability to manage it because he has done so in the past.

"But I am of the idea that the team wins, not a single player. It will be important for all of these players to know how to work together."

Ancelotti was speaking before Napoli's second successive pre-season friendly against Barca in the United States.

The Serie A side lost 2-1 in Wednesday's first encounter and has a chance to bounce back on Saturday in Michigan before its league campaign begins against Fiorentina on August 24.

"I hope to see a repeat of the good things we did in Miami," Ancelotti said.

"The lads showed real character and good ideas. We just need the same again as it's good for our confidence."

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