Rasmus Højlund joined Napoli from Manchester United on a loan with a conditional obligation to buy last summer. The deal was covered extensively by Sport Witness, with the Dane doing pretty well in Naples this season.
He’s found the net 12 times in all competitions, with eight of those goals coming in 21 Serie A appearances. The striker also scored three times in the Champions League and was a bright light in a frustrating European campaign.
The 23-year-old clearly seems to have grown away from Manchester United, reliably leading the line. He has become a trusted player for Antonio Conte in the absence of Romelu Lukaku.
The striker has spoken to Il Mattino in a lengthy interview and addressed a host of topics
Rasmus Højlund happy with Manchester United exit
The former Atalanta player was asked about how he’s enjoying the city of Naples. He went on to dispel the negatives around the city, expressing excitement to explore it more.
“l’m not in the centre, but I’m dying to explore the alleys and heart of Naples, but I know it won’t be easy to get around. I sense the incredible energy the city exudes.
“I can feel it every moment – its vitality and personality are everywhere, not just at Maradona when we play. It’s an underestimated city, not even a little dangerous, despite so many rumours from afar.”
Rasmus Højlund also spoke of how he has improved as a player at Napoli. He compared himself to ketchup because of his ability to score multiple times when he is in form.
“I’m like ketchup. When the sauce doesn’t come out, you’re there, struggling to get it out, then suddenly it all comes out at once.
“It’s the same when you don’t score for a long time. It’s an incredible joy to score, but when the team and the coach believe in you, the goal is like a flower that has to bloom, it’s just a matter of time.”
The Denmark international also spoke of his ambitions at Napoli.
He said: “I came here because I wanted to win trophies, and winning the Italian Super Cup was proof that my choice was the right one.”
Conte bringing more out of Højlund
The forward was also asked how he has grown as a player. He went on to express praise for Conte and his approach to coaching.
“When I was in Bergamo, I was impatient; I wanted to get everything done quickly. I pressed constantly, as if I didn’t have a second chance.
“Now I manage my energy better; Conte guides me consistently. I always press hard because that’s what the coach asks of me, but I try to conserve my energy so I can use it at the right time.”
It’s clear the player has no regrets about leaving Manchester United. In fact, he points out that the decision has worked in his favour.
Rasmus Højlund has received much more service in Conte’s system than he did under Ruben Amorim or Erik Ten Hag. This is helping him quite a bit, as he is the focal point of attack. His role revolves around attacking spaces, running into channels and often, holding the ball up.
This plays into his strengths, especially as Napoli have a good technical foundation. They are likely to qualify for the Champions League and this should confirm the Dane’s permanent transfer to Naples.
