Frank Zambo Anguissa’s latest return lasted only a few minutes in Florence, a small episode that has come to represent a far larger concern for Napoli. After ten days of individual work, the Cameroon midfielder was brought on in the 90th minute at the Franchi, only to feel discomfort again before the final whistle.
Massimiliano Allegri confirmed after the match that Anguissa had suffered another physical setback. “He felt it again and we hope to have him back soon,” the Napoli coach said. For a side already without Scott McTominay, the uncertainty around one of its senior midfielders is becoming an important thread in the season.
A difficult year since the Inter match
- Anguissa’s recent problem began at San Siro against Inter, a match that brought both an injury and a costly missed chance. Clean through against Martinez, he sent wide an opportunity rated at 0.93 expected goals.
- He subsequently missed Napoli’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal and the Serie A meeting with Bologna.
- Having been cleared shortly before the trip to Fiorentina, he completed ten days of tailored training before making his late appearance.
- His renewed discomfort in Florence has again put his immediate availability in doubt.
There is no question over Anguissa’s importance when he is fit, but his form and fitness have been uneven for some time. The midfielder has alternated influential performances with quieter ones since the serious injury he suffered last season.
The injury cycle that changed his rhythm
The longer ordeal began on 11 November 2025, when Napoli learned that Anguissa had damaged the biceps femoris in his left thigh. The injury occurred during a sprint in training with Cameroon.
An initial recovery estimate of around two months gradually extended. Back trouble complicated the rehabilitation, and Anguissa did not return to action until March, when he came off the bench against Torino under Antonio Conte.
Following his clinical recovery, he managed 350 minutes across seven appearances, split between starts and substitute outings. He finished that campaign with four goals and three assists, although all of those contributions had come before the injury interrupted his season.
In the last ten months, Anguissa has missed 26 matches. It is an unusually heavy absence record for a player who had previously built his Napoli reputation on availability, physical work and continuity.
From Spalletti’s regular to a contract question
Napoli first brought Anguissa to Italy in the summer of 2021, taking him from recently relegated Fulham on a €500,000 loan. Cristiano Giuntoli’s move soon looked inspired: Napoli exercised their option to sign him permanently for €15 million the following summer.
Luciano Spalletti quickly made him a regular, initially relying on him more for balance and ball-winning in midfield. In the last two years, Anguissa has operated with greater attacking freedom, arriving later into dangerous areas and becoming more of a driving presence.
He played a major role in Napoli’s first Scudetto of the Aurelio De Laurentiis era and later reached a particularly high level in the season of the club’s fourth league title, registering six goals and four assists.
His physical situation now runs alongside an unresolved contractual discussion. Anguissa’s deal expires next June and he earns about €3 million net per season. Napoli’s approach with other experienced players had suggested that an agreement could be found, but the position has become less certain.
- At the start of the league campaign, sporting director Giovanni Manna said Napoli were close to an agreement and described Anguissa as important to the club.
- Before the Fiorentina match, Manna offered a more cautious assessment, saying that an agreement would be welcome but that a separation would not create difficulties if common ground could not be reached.
- The player could therefore leave without a transfer fee, particularly if the financial requests from his representatives remain beyond Napoli’s preferred terms.
The immediate priority is recovery
Anguissa’s individual style and public presence have long made him recognisable away from the pitch, but Napoli insist that his commitment has not been affected by the uncertainty around his future. Manna said the midfielder remains involved and focused on the season.
For now, the contract can wait. Napoli’s more immediate need is to bring Anguissa back to full condition and keep him there. Allegri needs the midfielder at his strongest, not merely available for five minutes at the end of an afternoon.
