Kevin De Bruyne officially presented himself to the Azzurri fans at the municipal theatre in Dimaro Folgarida, where Napoli is holding its summer retreat.
The Belgian champion explained the reasons for his choice, his enthusiasm for the new adventure, and his first impressions of the Azzurri environment: "I'm here to win. Napoli was the best choice for me, even though I left a significant part of my career behind me."
A new challenge after the Premier League: "I needed a change."
After years of triumphs in England with Manchester City, De Bruyne has decided to take on a new challenge. "I've spent my life in the Premier League, and I'll always be associated with City. But the time had come for a change.
Napoli convinced me with an ambitious and stimulating project,” explained the midfielder, underlining how much the proposal presented by sporting director Giovanni Manna excited him.
“Here to prove my worth: we want to do well on all fronts”
De Bruyne makes no secret of his personal and team ambitions. "Napoli are champions of Italy, they have a solid foundation and a competitive squad. We know there are many strong teams in Serie A, but our goal is to do well everywhere: in the league and in the Champions League."
Adaptation and new habits: "A different world from the City"
The Belgian admitted he'll have to adapt to a completely new environment, both on and off the pitch: "Napoli is different from Manchester, but that's also the beauty of the challenge. I want to learn, to fit into the team's mechanisms. It won't be immediate, but I have the time and the peace of mind to do so."
Lukaku and Mertens' advice: "But the decision was mine alone."
Before accepting Napoli, De Bruyne spoke with two well-known faces in the history of the Azzurri: “I spoke with Lukaku and Mertens to get information about the city and the environment. They gave me excellent advice, but the final decision was mine, shared with my family.”
And right Lukaku, who has known him since they were 13, expressed great enthusiasm for their possible reunion in the blue jersey: “We are bound by a great friendship, but this was a personal choice.”
The surprise of the number 10 jersey: "Maradona is a legend, but I am myself."
During the training camp, De Bruyne wore a training shirt with the number 10, historically belonging to Diego Armando Maradonaand officially retired from the club. “I was surprised; it was a symbolic gesture. But I don't feel like it's an extra burden: here the pressure is there regardless. Maradona is an absolute legend, but I'm De Bruyne and I want to stay true to myself.”
Conte, a top player on the bench: "I can learn a lot from him."
On his new path, De Bruyne It will be led by Antonio Conte, a manager who has already made his mark in the Premier League. “We haven't spoken much yet, but I know his way of working.
"He's one of the most tactical and well-prepared coaches of the last ten years. I'm sure I'll be able to grow thanks to him too," explained the Belgian, who is using the training camp to understand the mechanisms of the team and the coaching staff.
The Champions League as a goal: "One of the most beautiful competitions in the world."
Among the reasons that drove De Bruyne to wear the blue jersey was the lure of the Champions League: "I've played in it for ten years in a row, and I can't wait to experience it with Napoli. It's one of the most fascinating competitions, and we want to have a good run."
Role on the pitch? "It's the interpretation that counts, not the formation."
Finally, a reflection on the potential tactical role he'll play in Conte's Napoli: "Modules are numbers. It's how you interpret space that matters; tactics change depending on whether you're in possession or not. I'll adapt to what the team needs: football is dynamic, and you need to know how to move."
Article published by Giuseppe Del Gaudio on July 19, 2025, at 19:21 PM
Comments (1)
It's interesting to see how Kevin De Bruyne has chosen Naples for a new beginning. His experience in the Premier League is impressive, but it will be interesting to see how he adapts to Italian football and Neapolitan culture.