Rasmus Hojlund: Napoli legend pinpoints why Dane is struggling in Italy

Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund has had a roller coaster of a time at SSC Napoli during his loan spell so far.

Positive start

The Dane left United at the end of the transfer window on a loan with an obligation to buy if Napoli qualify for the Champions League next season.

Hojlund got off to the perfect start, scoring on his debut versus Fiorentina.

He also scored a brace in the Champions League versus Sporting CP and went on a positive mini-run for club and country where he scored six goals in four matches.

Nonetheless, his form has tailed off recently, last finding the net for Napoli at the start of October.

The Dane also missed a penalty in his side’s recent win over Qarabag in the Champions League.

Struggles

Speaking to Sky Sport Insider (via areanapoli.it) , former Napoli striker Antonio Careca claimed that “he’s actually just arrived, and patience is needed. I don’t know him personally, but you can sense he’s willing to give it his all.”

Despite praising the 22 year old’s efforts on the pitch, Careca feels that this could sometimes be a disadvantage for the Dane.

He went on to state that he tries “perhaps even too much, and that sometimes limits him. He has a great left foot, but both in the league and the Champions League, I’ve seen him struggle a bit: he struggled with his control, he showed a bit of nervousness, which is normal at his age.”

Ultimately though, the former striker concluded that Hojlund “has a lot of qualities, we need to give him more time.”

Similar problems

Hojlund’s issues mirror what he often showed at United, a player willing to give it all but he would regularly get too involved in physical battles with opposition centre backs.

As a result, he would often struggle to assert himself on the game being played.

Rasmus Hojlund stats vs Qarabag

Source: Sofascore

Featured image Francesco Pecoraro via Getty Images

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