Rasmus Hojlund joined Napoli on loan from Manchester United late into the summer transfer window and the striker has hit the ground running in Italy
Rasmus Hojlund during a Napoli game
Rasmus Hojlund has made quite the impression since leaving Manchester United to join Napoli in the summer
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Fabio Capello believes Rasmus Hojlund has been determined to prove his doubters wrong. The 22-year-old striker left Manchester United to join Napoli on loan in the summer and he's hit the ground running.
Hojlund, who the Reds signed from Atalanta for £72m in August 2023, has featured six times across all competitions this season, scoring four goals. Playing a key role on Antonio Conte's side, he has helped Gli Azzurri climb to the top of Serie A.
The Denmark international failed to impress at Old Trafford, but he's found his shooting boots at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. In a column for the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello analysed Hojlund's performances for Napoli.
The former England boss said: "Playing in Naples puts you under more pressure than at Atalanta, but the Dane seems to have matured thanks to his Premier League experience, which helped him realise his true value."
"I’ve also noticed in him a certain desire for redemption after his time at Manchester United," added Capello. The 79-year-old also believes that Hojlund has taken some weight off the shoulders of Scott McTominay, who was awarded Serie A MVP in his debut campaign after leaving United.
The former Reds midfielder fired Napoli to the Scudetto last term, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists in 34 appearances. Capello heaped praise on Conte for prising another out-of-form player from Old Trafford.
He continued: "It’s a particularly clever move because in other areas of the pitch, there are quality players who are having less of an impact than last year, such as McTominay.
"Indeed, Conte’s team hasn’t scored a lot so far, but they are still very organised, and Hojlund is a crucial addition because he already knows Italian football and won’t struggle to settle in."
The Danish striker hasn't looked back since he left United to join Napoli on loan. Speaking recently to Radio Kiss Kiss, as quoted by Goal, Hojlund said: "Conte is a top coach.
"I came here because I knew this was an important step for me. Napoli is a great club, and a wonderful place to live. It's exactly what I need right now in my career."
Hojlund added: "For me, it's the same, I don't care about the formation. I just play football and try to do my job as best I can."
Conte has been delighted with Hojlund, describing the Dane as somebody who can become a 'star'. Speaking to reporters after Napoli's 2-1 win over Genoa at the weekend, the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss said: "He's a 22-year-old who was on the sidelines at Manchester United.
"He has significant room for improvement; he needs to work because he has the potential to become a star, and he's proving it."