Lucca on ‘first choice’ Napoli, Italy aspiration and Osimhen comparison

Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca in pre-season training with Napoli.

Lorenzo Lucca insists ‘Napoli was always my first choice’ and he hopes it can help him earn a place in Italy’s World Cup squad. ‘I like being mentioned in the same breath as Gonzalo Higuain and Victor Osimhen.’

The striker had been linked with several other clubs this summer, including Atalanta, Milan and Roma, but made the move to Napoli for €35m plus add-ons.

That is spread out as a loan for €9m with obligation to buy at the end of the season for a further €26m.

“I have never played in the Coppa Campioni before, but I did hear the roar of the crowd during the anthem at the Stadio Maradona before Napoli-Ajax once. It gave me goosebumps, I can’t wait to play there,” said Lucca during his presentation press conference.

“Napoli was always my first choice. Watching the Scudetto celebrations was exciting, I’d love to experience it for myself.”

Lucca has a lot of experience already

Turning 25 in August, he is remarkably well-travelled already in his career, playing for Torino, Palermo, Pisa, Ajax and Udinese, as well as five senior caps for Italy.

He asked current Udinese director and former Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler for some advice.

“Inler told me that I cannot help but have fun in Naples. I immediately got a sense of the passion of the fans, I never expected so many people to turn up.

“Playing for so many clubs did me a lot of good, and I would advise everyone to play in the lower leagues, it forces you to learn some grit. Only I know how hard I worked to get to this place.

“I didn’t play much at Ajax, I was a long way from home and still very young, but these are experiences that help you grow.”

Now Lucca will be playing for a notorious taskmaster like Antonio Conte, and Romelu Lukaku already said he was helping the new boy to settle in.

“I always wanted to play football. Until 4-5 years ago, I only saw Romelu play on television, now I am so happy and proud to be part of the team.

“It is my first time on such a big stage, but I know where I’m coming from and what I want in future. I must improve the number of assists I provide and work more with the team rather than just focusing on scoring goals.

“I already varied my game more, as last season half my goals were headers, the other half with my feet.”

The transfer fee means Lucca is the third most expensive striker to join Napoli in the Aurelio De Laurentiis era, after Gonzalo Higuain and Victor Osimhen.

“I like being mentioned in the same breath as Higuain and Osimen, but I know that it’s very early days. I must improve game by game, do everything the coach asks.”

His move could also improve the chances of representing Italy more regularly, especially as Mateo Retegui is heading to Al-Qadsiah.

“I already spoke to Gennaro Gattuso over the summer. He called and asked how I was. Napoli was always my first choice, this is a journey that I hope can end next summer with a place at the World Cup.”

Lucca will wear the Number 27 jersey at Napoli this season and explained his reasoning.

“It’s because 2+7 = 9, so seeing as the 9 was taken, I chose this.”