Rasmus Hojlund has credited Napoli head coach Antonio Conte for the improvement in his playing style and attacking output this season, reaffirming his commitment to the club.
The Denmark international joined the former Serie A champions last summer on an initial loan deal from Manchester United and has enjoyed an impressive spell so far.
Hojlund struggled during his time in England, but returned to Italy and has already scored 12 times across all competitions so far this season.
Speaking during an interview, the 23-year-old hailed the influence of Conte as a key factor in his improvement this season.
“I still have a lot to learn, and I’m sure Conte is the right coach to help me grow in many areas”, Hojlund stated.
“Compared to Rasmus in August, I’m a different player, I’m still improving, and even though I’m not very young, I’m sure I still have a lot of room for improvement.
“He’s (Conte) mentally very strong. I’m fascinated by his mentality: he’s passionate, fierce. And he’s a winner. In fact: a serial winner, a serial winner. And if he doesn’t win, we immediately understand that we haven’t won.”
Napoli have an option to sign Hojlund permanently for £38 million in the summer if certain obligations are met, including qualifying for the Champions League.
It is also looking increasingly unlikely that the forward will return to his parent club, having adapted easily and already become an integral part of Napoli’s setup.
“We’re a good group, even my Italian is improving. Then, of course, I’ve known (Scott) McTominay since our time in Manchester, our girlfriends are friends. So it’s easier to work as a team”, Hojlund added.
“But also with (Billy) Gilmour (Sam) Buekema, (Leo) Spinazzola and (Alessandro) Buongiorno, we’ve created great harmony.
“Scott was there for me at Old Trafford to help me settle in, to explain things about the United world. And he’s done the same here: he’s done the same here: he’s always by my side, I know I can count on him”, he concluded.
Napoli will return to Serie A action this weekend when they face Atalanta, hoping for a win to close the gap to Inter Milan at the top of the standings.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
