Napoli explain transfer strategy: Premier League the ‘most competitive’

epa04378043 Italian national soccer team head coach Antonio Conte (L) and the national team’s new manager Gabriele Oriali (R) pictured in the stands during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SS Lazio at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 31 August 2014. EPA/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Gabriele Oriali says the English Premier League is the ‘most competitive league’ in the world: ‘When you bring players from there, you have important guarantees.’

Oriali spoke to DAZN (via TuttoNapoli) minutes before a Serie A game against Cagliari.

The defending Serie A champions have signed several players from the Premier League over the last year, including their latest acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, who arrived in Italy this evening. 

The Denmark international will undergo medical tests on Sunday before completing an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy.

Napoli explain transfer strategy

“For me, the most competitive league in Europe remains the English one. When you bring players from there, you have important guarantees,” Oriali said.

Napoli signed Hojlund following Romelu Lukaku’s injury earlier this month, which means Lorenzo Lucca is the only available centre-forward currently available for the Partenopei.

Oriali: Lukaku ‘fundamental’ for Napoli

“Lukaku is fundamental for us, a leader on and off the pitch,” said Oriali.

“A technical and character reference point. He is a dressing room figure who makes his presence felt. Lucca, on the other hand, still has to assimilate certain tactical concepts. The coach is very demanding, but the boy will soon fit in.

“We have matured compared to last year, bringing ideas and discipline. We were fortunate to find a group willing to make themselves available despite the difficulties of last season,” Oriali concluded.

“We work on attitude, but you need players who are ready to make sacrifices. Last year, it was the team that won, not the individual. The credit goes to those who understood that with the right spirit, you can achieve great goals.”

The Partenopei beat Sassuolo in their season debut last week and play their first season game at home tonight.

Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Kevin De Bruyne and Frank Anguissa are among the players that Napoli signed from the Premier League in the last few years.