Akanji: 'De Bruyne can still dominate Serie A'
Inter defender Manuel Akanji has backed his former teammate Kevin De Bruyne to bounce back from a disappointing first season in Serie A and become a key figure for Napoli in the 2026-27 campaign.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Akanji, currently at the 2026 World Cup with Switzerland, insisted the Belgian playmaker remains an "extraordinary player" who was simply "unlucky" with injuries last term.
"I think he can still have a significant impact in Italian football, absolutely," Akanji said. "Kevin is an extraordinary player and also a great friend of mine. This season, he was unlucky because an injury kept him out for a long time. When he returned, the title race was already decided."
De Bruyne, 34, arrived at the Stadio Maradona in a headline-grabbing move from Manchester City last summer but made just 12 league starts as Napoli finished well off the pace set by eventual champions Inter. A serious knee injury sidelined him for four months, and he never found rhythm under then-coach Antonio Conte.
Tensions simmered beneath the surface, and De Bruyne recently admitted he was "happy" that Conte left the club at the end of the season—a remark that drew a sharp response from Conte's assistant Cristian Stellini, who claimed the midfielder had shown "no enthusiasm" during his time in Naples.
Napoli close in on Allegri as De Bruyne restart looms
With Conte gone, Napoli are on the verge of appointing Massimiliano Allegri as their new head coach, according to multiple reports in Italy. The former Juventus boss has been out of work since leaving the Bianconeri in 2025 and is expected to sign a two-year contract after the World Cup.
Allegri's pragmatic, defensively solid approach could provide a stable platform for De Bruyne to rediscover his best form. Akanji, who played alongside the Belgian at Manchester City for two seasons, believes the World Cup experience will also help.
Belgium face Switzerland in a crucial group-stage clash in Seattle on Saturday, and Akanji is relishing the prospect of facing his friend.
"I would like to face Belgium and play against him, as it hasn't happened often so far," the Inter defender added.
Key Takeaways
- Manuel Akanji believes Kevin De Bruyne will prove his worth for Napoli next season after an injury-hit debut campaign.
- De Bruyne's public falling-out with Antonio Conte added to a turbulent year, but the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri could revive his Serie A career.
- Napoli are expected to finalise Allegri's appointment after the 2026 World Cup, providing fresh direction for the club.
- Akanji and De Bruyne could meet on the pitch when Switzerland face Belgium in a decisive World Cup group match.
Quick Facts
De Bruyne's 2025-26 Serie A stats: 12 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists
Games missed through injury: 18
Napoli's 2025-26 finish: 5th (Inter won league)
Allegri's previous trophies: 6 Serie A, 5 Coppa Italia
World Cup meeting: Switzerland vs. Belgium, June 21, 2026
Source: Football Italia, Gazzetta dello Sport
