Fonseca regrets Juventus didn’t sign Barcelona defender, Conte ‘best coach in the world’ | OneFootball

Former Napoli and Juventus striker Daniel Fonseca believes Antonio Conte is the ‘best coach in the world’ alongside Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti and regrets that his compatriot Ronald Araujo didn’t join the Bianconeri.

Fonseca’s ex-clubs Juventus and Napoli meet at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Serie A match.

The Bianconeri seem out of the Scudetto race, but they must earn a Champions League placement. They are 13 points below the table-leading Partenopei.

Fonseca, a former teammate of Conte at Juventus and a former striker for the Bianconeri and Napoli, is not surprised to see the Azzurri at the top of the rankings.

“Conte is the best coach in the world, alongside Guardiola and Ancelotti. Antonio is still crazy, like when he was a footballer,” he told Gazzetta.

“He was not the best, but he was the most focused and charismatic.

“Napoli are favourite [against Juventus], but anything can happen. Antonio is on fire. We have agreed that we are going to meet soon.”

The former Uruguay international was asked who he preferred between Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku, but he didn’t seem to like the pair.

Fonseca regrets Juventus didn’t sign Barcelona defender, Conte ‘best coach in the world’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 06: Ronald Araujo of Uruguay lines up prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarterfinal match between Uruguay and Brazil at Allegiant Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

“Lewandowski,” he replied.

“The Poland striker is my favourite, even more than Haaland. Vlahovic and Lukaku have highs and lows. They are strong, but if they are worth all that money, I should have cost €100m when I was at Napoli. The life of strikers is easier with VAR compared to 20 or 30 years ago. In fact, we would score 18, 20 or 25 goals, while now they reach 40/50.”

Vlahovic is not even expected to start at the Maradona today as new signing Randal Kolo Muani is the favourite to get the nod as a sole striker for the Bianconeri.

“Competition must be the norm at Juventus,” said Fonseca.

“Strikers must make the most of their opportunities. Kolo Muani will give extra motivation to the team and Vlahovic. He has always scored goals and won’t stop.”

Juventus saw their transfer target Araujo extend his contract with Barcelona, while Napoli sent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG for over €70m this month.

“It’s a shame; Araujo would have been a great reinforcement,” said Fonseca.

“Kvara was my favourite, but nobody is vital, aside from Conte.”