De Bruyne Joins Napoli, Relies on Lukaku Leadership

Kevin De Bruyne's move to Napoli was strongly influenced by his longtime Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku, who encouraged him to join and is helping him adjust to the new club and Serie A. De Bruyne, who left Manchester City after a highly successful tenure, chose Napoli over other lucrative offers due to the competitive challenge and the opportunity to work under coach Antonio Conte, known for his demanding approach. Lukaku has been instrumental in Napoli's recent success, including winning the Serie A title and scoring 14 goals last season, and he is also assisting younger teammate Lorenzo Lucca in adapting to the squad's tactical demands. De Bruyne appreciates the support from Lukaku, who helps with language and integration, and embraces the responsibility of wearing the iconic Maradona number 10 shirt at Napoli, while acknowledging he will make the role his own. Both players share a close personal and professional bond dating back to their youth and previous club experiences, which facilitates their collaboration at Napoli. The duo's partnership is seen as a key asset for Napoli as they aim to defend their Serie A title and continue improving their squad.