Italian media now have a clearer verdict on Rasmus Hojlund after his fifth appearance for Napoli in Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League win over Sporting. The Denmark international joined Antonio Conte’s side on loan with an obligation to buy for £45 million in the summer, hoping to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Scott McTominay, who won Serie A Player of the Year in his maiden campaign.
Abandoning ship at Manchester United in search of pastures new has worked wonders for plenty of players in recent years. With the Red Devils spending over £200 million to rebuild their forward line – bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko – it was only a matter of time before Hojlund, who scored 10 Premier League goals in his first season but managed no more than four across the next two, sought his chance elsewhere.
Joining last season’s Scudetto winners – who also added Kevin De Bruyne to their ranks for good measure – seemed on the surface like a smart move for the 22-year-old. Far removed from the toxic dressing room at Old Trafford, he now has a golden opportunity to prove his true worth.
Italian Media’s Verdict on Hojlund After 5 Napoli Appearances
It’s remarkable what a positive environment and a shot of confidence can unlock in a player, and proving his worth is exactly what Hojlund has been doing in Italy. His two goals against Sporting in midweek are just the tip of the iceberg for a forward who now looks every inch the part in a championship-winning side.
Building on his first league goal for Napoli last month, Wednesday night’s cameo also saw him register one key pass, complete 81 per cent of his passes, and win four of six aerial duels. His greater influence in the final third is proof enough that he has turned over a new leaf and unveiled a refreshed version of himself. He received an 8/10 from journalist Toni Lavarone on his blog, as he wrote:
“Beyond the double of a real striker, he puts an incalculable amount of balls in the safe [referring to his hold-up play], with which he allows his team to go up [and attack]. In Manchester, they will be eating their hands [words]. Again.”
Corriere Della Sera rated Hojlund an 8/10, writing: “The Maradona lights up with a double, the first sharp foot, the photocopy of Florence’s goal, the second head, when the victory seems to be about to vanish. An unforgettable night for him and his new fans.” Watch Hojlund’s two goals below:
Gazzetta Dello Sport, meanwhile, labelled Hojlund a “sniper” for his efforts in front of goal, handing the Dane an 8/10 match rating, as Il Mattino said the forward has made himself the new “King” of the Maradona, with the supporters loving their new striker.
Another promising aspect of Hojlund’s game early in the 2025/26 season is the synergy he is developing with former rival Kevin De Bruyne, who assisted both of the 22-year-old’s goals in the Champions League.
Midfielder-striker partnerships are an underrated subgenre of the beautiful game, but history shows how vital they can be: think Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in the late 2000s, or Erling Haaland and De Bruyne in the 2020s. At their best, they can be the secret ingredient to dizzying success.