Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker has admitted he joined Napoli on loan as they’re more prestigious than the Villans and offered him more playing time than Unai Emery’s side.
The midfielder has been speaking to Pickx sports in Belgium about his loan move to Italy, which he made in the January transfer window.
The Belgian elected to leave Villa Park temporarily in the winter window after finding himself down the pecking order under Unai Emery this season.
He had managed just 389 minutes in total for Aston Villa this season, a meagre amount for a player who is looking to ensure he is a part of Belgium’s squad for Euro 2024 this summer.
Thus, he moved to Napoli in search of regular playing time, with them moving quickly to wrap up a loan deal that includes an option to buy him permanently from Aston Villa in the summer.
He’s yet to really establish himself there either, finding himself left out of the European squad and with just two appearances and 11 minutes of football under his belt in Serie A.
It seems he’s not too concerned, though, and is instead hopeful that the situation will be turned around in the coming weeks and months.
“I actually think that Napoli is slightly more prestigious than Aston Villa,” he said.
“The club became champions last year and has performed well on the European stage in recent seasons. However, it was especially important that I play again.
“This was not the case at Aston Villa. Not here yet, but I hope it comes soon. Yes, this is the new start I needed. I will do everything I can to get into the team.
“My first goal is to play here. But there is no doubt that the national team played a role in my choice. Not to mention the fact that there is a European Championship this summer.
“I was mainly attracted to play in midfield to play, but I can of course also play at the back. Everything is different here, whether it is on a sporting or cultural level. I was in my sixth season in England.
“We know how passionate people there are about football. That is also the case here the case, especially in Naples.”
