After his first two games in his Napoli adventure in Serie A have already seen him score, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund has been interviewed by La Repubblica.
The Dane arrived in Naples in the final days of the summer transfer window after Romelu Lukakuโs injury in the friendly against Olympiacos.
The 22-year-old striker moved on loan for โฌ6 million, with a โฌ44 million option to buy. This becomes an obligation if the club qualifies for the Champions League. Looking forward to more success in the season, the frontman lifted the lid on some intriguing insights.
Personal goals and objectives, relationship with Conte
Hojlund opened the discussion addressing his aims for the campaign ahead. โI want to become a striker who scores a lot of goals. Iโve improved a lot in my position in recent years. I think I already have some qualities, but I still have a lot to learn.โ
Learning does seem a key feature in Hojlundโs ability, none more so than tapping back into the Italian he picked up while at Atalanta. He next spoke of his relationship with Napoli manager Antonio Conte.
โHe knows I need to improve my Italian, and he asks me all the time, worried about making himself understood. โIs it clear? Is it clear?โ are the words he uses most often with me. I always tell him yes, but if I have any doubts, I ask my teammates.โ
Signed to replace Lukaku? Thoughts on making a permanent switch
While entering a new club can be a daunting prospect for anyone, thereโs undoubtedly more pressure when an individual is brought in to fill an important gap. Hojlund spoke about the absence and impact of Romelu Lukaku.
โItโs not just me, Napoli also has other good strikers like Lucca and Ambrosino. And weโre eagerly awaiting Romeluโs return. We all have a lot to learn from him.โ
Hojlund seemingly wants to make the very best of this new Italian opportunity, especially after seeing just how the home faithful took to him on his first outing at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
โIt was special. Maradona was one of the greatest footballers of all time, and I understand that he holds a huge place in the hearts of Neapolitans. Iโm honoured to play in his stadium.โ
While a plethora of special moments are in store for Hojlund, the Denmark international understands that heโs still far from the finished article. His outlook is deeply intertwined with childhood experience.
โI donโt have a great memory, but if I close my eyes, I see myself in the car with my dad criticising me after a bad game on the way home: โYou have to give more if you really want to become a professionalโโ, Hojlund said.
โHe almost never said โWell done Rasmusโ. Time has proved him right. I still donโt feel like a complete centre-forward, even now that Iโm 22 and playing for Napoli.
โIโve got quite a lot of experience at 22, but now Iโm at Napoli and plan to stay.โ
GIFNย |ย Max Bradfield
