Napoli’s Frank André Zambo Anguissa has enjoyed a strong start to the season, but coach Antonio Conte has issued a clear challenge to the Cameroonian midfielder: increase his goal-scoring contributions.
Although Zambo Anguissa has been a standout performer for Napoli this season, his primary role has traditionally been focused on playmaking and controlling the midfield rather than scoring goals.
Throughout his career, the 28-year-old has scored a modest total of just four goals in a season, with his most recent tally coming in the 2022-2023 campaign.
However, Conte, who took charge of Napoli ahead of this season, has set a specific target for the player.
When I play, I don’t think about scoring goals.
The most important thing is that the team wins,” said Zambo Anguissa.
But today, the midfielder has to do everything, and that’s what I’m trying to do.
The coach tells me that I have to score even more and reach eight goals per season.
The challenge marks a shift in expectations for Zambo Anguissa, whose primary strength has been in breaking up opposition attacks and distributing the ball rather than being a goal-scoring threat.
Despite this, he has embraced Conte’s request and is working to add a new dimension to his game.
As of now, Zambo Anguissa has scored two goals in 18 appearances this season.
While this is an improvement, the target of eight goals remains a significant stretch, especially considering that Napoli is not involved in European competition this year, meaning there are fewer matches for him to reach his coach’s ambitious goal.
In an interview with Radio CRC, Zambo Anguissa spoke candidly about his priorities: “For me, it is not the priority.
I am happy when I score, but the team comes first.
This highlights the midfielder’s commitment to Napoli’s overall success rather than focusing solely on personal achievements.
Conte’s approach reflects the growing demand for modern midfielders to contribute across all aspects of play, including attacking.
As Zambo Anguissa continues to adapt to these demands, Napoli fans will be watching closely to see how he responds to the challenge laid out by their new manager.
