Noa Lang has confidently given his first press conference as a Napoli player on Sunday. The Dutch international promises the fans exciting plays, but also notes that he needs to work hard.
“You can expect a lot of dribbles from me. And goals and assists. I am a player that people come to the stadium for,” Lang told the Italian media in Trentino, the Northern Italian city where Napoli is in training camp.
The 26-year-old Lang spoke extensively with coach Antonio Conte before his transfer was finalized. This was about tactics, but also about the fact that the winger will have to work harder in Italy than in the Netherlands.
“That has also come out in the first few days here,” said Lang, who came over from PSV this month for approximately 28 million euros.
“The training sessions are intensive and tough. The first thing I learned to say in Italian is: I’m tired. But that’s only a good thing. The hard training ensures that I get out of my comfort zone. I need that to get the best out of myself.”
Lang signed a contract with Napoli until 2030, after he actually wanted to make the move to the Italian top club half a year ago.
“In January I urged PSV for a transfer,” said Lang. “PSV resisted, but now it is done. I am happy to be here in Naples.”
Lang further said that he feels at home in Italy. “I have only been in the city for two days and it was great. Everywhere I saw flags of the club, The football experience here is in no way comparable to the Netherlands.”
The first friendly match of Napoli in which Lang can play minutes is on Tuesday at 6:00 PM against Arezzo. The Serie A starts for the defending champion from Naples on August 23 with an away match against Sassuolo.
