Antonio Conte’s Napoli could surprise Serie A watchers next season with reports suggesting the new coach could adopt a new-look starting formation.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via calcionapoli24.it)  suggests that Conte’s Napoli could line-up in a 3-4-3 formation, which utilises the attacking wingers the Salento tactician will have at his disposal.

Conte has vowed to return the Partenopei to the top of Serie A, following a disastrous campaign last term which saw the club achieve the unwanted record of the worst Scudetto defence in history.

Napoli should start with a three man defence, to which Conte has now become a convert having started his managerial career playing with a back four.

Ahead of this will sit four midfielders so it is no surprise that at his unveiling in the city last week, Conte listed Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka as two of the players who are considered untouchable, along with Italian international defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who has been linked with a summer move to Juventus.

Steve Mitchell | GIFN