Manchester Metropolis welcome again a well-recognized face who could return to hang-out them as they start their Champions League marketing campaign on Thursday.
Kevin de Bruyne gained 16 trophies in a decade at Metropolis; there are plans to immortalise him with a statue exterior Etihad Stadium.
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The Belgium worldwide left Metropolis when his contract expired in June and, having it was not his alternative to depart, is now plotting their downfall with Napoli.
The 34-year-old’s arrival in Naples has been lauded and likened to that of Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who remains to be revered by the Italian facet’s supporters.
“Since Maradona, Napoli haven’t signed a participant as effectively often known as De Bruyne,” Naples-based journalist Vincenzo Credendino instructed BBC Sport. “Maradona got here on the peak of his profession, however De Bruyne comes at 34.
“It’s clear what Maradona was for membership president Corrado Ferlaino within the Nineteen Eighties, De Bruyne is the model of this 12 months for [owner] Aurelio de Laurentiis.
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“I can think about in any case of these stunning years in Manchester, he want to give an excellent impression and be a hit. He has already stated he needs to win Serie A and can wish to present good issues within the Champions League too.”
Napoli captain Giovanni di Lorenzo stated De Bruyne arrived on the membership with “nice humility” and described him as a “nice champion”.
The precise-back, 32, added: “He did not actually discuss his ex-team-mates, however I’m positive he will probably be glad to come back again on this stadium the place he loved many good matches.
“He will probably be acquired effectively. They are going to be happy to see him and he deserves it.”
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‘The elemental level of Conte’s 2.0 challenge’
De Bruyne has scored two objectives in three video games since becoming a member of Napoli [Getty Images]
Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte masterminded Napoli’s Scudetto success final season they usually have began this marketing campaign in spectacular style, sitting prime of the desk once more with a 100% file after three video games.
The late Maradona spearheaded their title triumphs in 1987 and 1990 – they ended a 33-year wait to seize the top-flight trophy once more in 2023, however misplaced their means the next 12 months by ending in tenth place.
Conte took over and labored with a system he was conversant in – a strong base with three on the again, and a workforce that was bodily imposing with Romelu Lukaku up entrance.
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Napoli edged prime spot final season forward of Inter Milan by a solitary level, conceding solely 27 objectives from their 38 video games and with Lukaku main the membership’s scoring charts with 14 objectives.
After taking the workforce to a tricky coaching camp within the mountains of Trentino throughout pre-season, Conte is now seeking to evolve right into a extra possession-based system and Lukaku’s damage has accelerated the method with the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United on mortgage with an obligation to purchase completely subsequent summer season.
“De Bruyne is the elemental level of Conte’s 2.0 challenge,” added Credendino. “He has a participant that’s within the paradise of soccer gamers.
“In the previous couple of years, Napoli haven’t had a participant of the calibre of De Bruyne. They’ve had good younger gamers who had been making an attempt to achieve the highest [echelons] of soccer like Victor Osimhen, Edinson Cavani and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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“De Bruyne is the one that’s already well-known when coming to Naples and is technically on one other degree in comparison with the opposite gamers. He’s the one one able to enjoying the ball 60 metres with precision. He is a vital useful resource of Conte as a result of he provides one thing completely different.”
in Might there was disappointment from De Bruyne that Metropolis had not supplied him a contract extension.
After an from the membership which introduced boss Pep Guardiola to tears, the midfielder will probably be given a hero’s welcome on Thursday as he returns to a spot he describes as “dwelling”.
De Bruyne seems to have fitted in seamlessly at his new residence, scoring two objectives in his opening three video games, and the Metropolis defenders will know first-hand the standard he possesses.
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Guardiola stated it is going to be “good to have him again” and gamers at De Bruyne’s degree “do not want that a lot time to adapt”.
“I’ve spoken to Kevin and have requested him just a few issues,” added Conte. “He has been a part of this membership for 10 years and has had an excellent coach like Pep Guardiola.
“He will probably be excited to be enjoying however I’m hoping after the primary whistle he’ll discover his ft and bear in mind that he’s enjoying for Napoli and contribute like he has been doing.”
Former Man Utd males to take revenge?
Danish striker Hojlund was unceremoniously bombed out by Manchester United and each he and Scott McTominay could effectively have been glad they left after seeing their former membership taken aside by Metropolis in Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League win.
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Hojlund, 22, is aiming to place his tough spell at Outdated Trafford behind him and started his Napoli spell in a dream style, scoring on his debut in a final Saturday.
Midfielder McTominay trod the identical path final summer season by escaping the chaos of United in transferring to Naples and the 28-year-old immediately grew to become a cult hero, netting 12 objectives to encourage their title success.
Such has been his affect, the Scotland worldwide has a mural just like Maradona within the metropolis and has been nominated to win the distinguished Ballon d’Or award for the perfect participant on the earth – one thing which might have been unthinkable whereas at United.
Conte stated he noticed “nice potential” in McTominay and couldn’t consider he had the chance to signal him when he grew to become out there final summer season.
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Credendino added: “Conte’s system is beginning to lose the normal definition of ‘formation’ by placing De Bruyne and McTominay on the sector on the similar time. It’s a actually fluid system. McTominay could begin on the left however he at all times drifts contained in the pitch.
“When you will have Hojlund, who runs quick in direction of the aim, De Bruyne’s potential along with his ft might help the ball to him.”
Regardless of the end result on Thursday, De Bruyne’s iconic standing at Metropolis is assured, however now he will probably be aiming to attain the identical at Napoli.