Hojlund’s Resurgence at Napoli: From Outcast to Rising Star

When Rasmus Hojlund scored on his debut for Napoli, manager Antonio Conte humorously remarked that he had hoped the signing would bring the same good fortune as another former Manchester United player, Scott McTominay, who had significantly contributed to Napoli’s unexpected title triumph in his first season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

However, luck was not the decisive factor in Hojlund’s performance. While Conte is often a polarizing figure in football, he possesses a keen eye for recognizing a player’s often-overlooked attributes and excels as a man-manager. McTominay has acknowledged feeling “misprofiled” during his time at Manchester, frequently utilized as a defensive midfielder or even as a center-back. Conte, on the other hand, discerned that McTominay had “goals in his DNA,” a prediction validated by the Scot’s 13 goals during last season’s Scudetto success.

Conte has a history of rejuvenating strikers who have floundered at Old Trafford. His successful collaboration with Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan transformed the Belgian forward into one of the most effective strikers globally, enhancing his abilities to play with his back to goal. Conte is now optimistic about achieving similar results with Hojlund.

“He’s a 22-year-old who was sidelined at Manchester United,” Conte expressed after Hojlund’s winning goal against Genoa on October 5. “He has significant room for improvement. He needs to work because he has the potential to become a star, and he’s proving it.”

It is evident that Hojlund underperformed during his two-year stint at United, including a 21-game goal drought in his second season that severely affected his confidence and gameplay. Former United defender Rio Ferdinand criticized Hojlund for becoming overly focused on physical confrontations with defenders: “I get frustrated watching because he’s always trying to fight the defender and have contact. Sometimes, you should release yourself from contact to make it easier to receive the ball and influence the game.”

Nevertheless, Hojlund displayed flashes of the promising talent that United believed they were acquiring from Atalanta, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history to score in six consecutive games during his debut season. Despite his struggles, he maintained a belief that he could consistently “deliver goals” for United.

“I feel like I’ve matured a lot, and I feel like I’m ready for what’s coming,” he remarked in July. “I’m still very young. People forget that sometimes. Not every striker scores 100 goals at the age of 22. But I’ve learned a lot, and I think you can see it in my game.”

Since moving to Napoli, Hojlund has shown significant improvement in his link-up play, with teammate David Neres scoring three goals from Hojlund’s assists this season. Luca Nigriello, a scout representing the Danish international, noted that “Conte gives him confidence and is making him grow,” highlighting Hojlund’s adaptability and increased consistency.

Conte is pleased with Hojlund’s progress in mastering the role of a leading striker, particularly as Lukaku has been sidelined due to injury. “Since Hojlund first joined us, he has already progressed to become a dominant player in that role,” Conte explained. “He’s understanding the right positions to take, how to protect the ball, and when to engage or withdraw.”

While all strikers are ultimately judged by their goal-scoring records, Hojlund’s overall tally of nine goals is noteworthy, especially considering he is just one goal shy of matching his entire total from the 2024-25 season with United. His recent performance, netting five times in his last five appearances across competitions, has rekindled comparisons to Erling Haaland, with Kevin De Bruyne noting similarities in their playing style.

Despite suffering a significant injury, De Bruyne’s early partnership with Hojlund was promising. Hojlund has continued to excel even in De Bruyne’s absence, thanks to being in a well-functioning team, as Danish coach Brian Riemer observed.

Peter Schmeichel, a Manchester United legend, suggested that Hojlund could have been a 25-goal-a-season striker if the team’s playing style had better suited him. “The problem wasn’t him – it was the way the team played,” Schmeichel stated, emphasizing the lack of service Hojlund received at United. “He made great runs, but the ball simply didn’t come to him.”

At Napoli, Hojlund is receiving the service he needs and making the most of those opportunities. Christian Vieri believes Hojlund has the potential to become “one of the best five strikers in the world,” praising his ability to attack and wear down defenses. Giampaolo Pazzini echoed this sentiment, stating Hojlund is now among the strongest strikers in Serie A, thanks to Conte’s influence on his development.

Hojlund’s impressive work ethic is further emphasized by his idolization of Cristiano Ronaldo. Teammate Christian Eriksen remarked that Hojlund deserves his recent success due to the effort he has put in both on and off the pitch.

When Hojlund opened his Napoli account, former United teammates, including Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, congratulated him online, showcasing the camaraderie he retains with them.

Through the ups and downs in his journey, Hojlund’s assertion that joining Conte’s Napoli was crucial for his career growth is undeniable. While leaving United may not have been his choice, it has certainly proven to be a blessing in disguise.