Beukema: Why I chose Napoli, Conte’s tough camps are our strength | OneFootball

Sam Beukema, new defender for Napoli, gave an interview to the official channels of Lega Serie A, discussing the reasons for his choice, his first months in blue, and his relationship with Antonio Conte.

Napoli, Beukema: “Here's why I chose Napoli. With Conte, training camps are tough, but they will be our strength”

From the motivations that led him to accept the call from the Italian champions to the seasonal goals, the Dutch center-back provided a clear picture of his mentality.

“I chose Napoli because it is an honor”

Beukema has no doubts about why he decided to move to the foot of Mount Vesuvius: “I chose Napoli because you don't get a call from the Italian champions every day. It was a huge honor. I think they chose me for my characteristics: I always give my all, I want to improve and help the team. I like to adapt to all game formations.”

The defender has already built a good bond with his fellow defenders: “With Amir, Juan, Alessandro, and Luca, there's already a great relationship. If the coach decides to field me in a three or four-man defense, I am always ready.”

“Conte demands the maximum, but he will make the difference”

The first approach with Antonio Conte marked his entry into the Napoli world: “With the coach, it was great from the first moment. He demands a lot, especially in terms of intensity. The training camps were very tough, but I believe this will make the difference during the season. He is very attentive to details: this way, we know exactly what to do on the field.”

From Bologna pride to the new championship challenge

Beukema does not forget his recent past at Bologna and a special victory: “The match won against Inter with Orsolini's goal was beautiful, against a very strong opponent. I'm not saying we handed the championship to Napoli, but it was certainly nice to contribute indirectly.”

Now the goal is to write a new chapter with the blue jersey: “I would like to win my first championship. We must approach the league like last year, game by game. We have many challenges and four competitions to play. The championship would be an extraordinary achievement, but it's important to stay focused game by game.”

“Happy to have Lang with me”

The arrival of fellow countryman Noa Lang is another source of pride: “I have never played against him, but I have watched many of his matches. He is an incredible talent, creative, capable of deciding the toughest matches. For me, it's great to have him by my side, also because we are both Dutch. He can give a lot to Napoli.”

The impact with Lukaku and De Bruyne

Among the new teammates, Beukema mentions two stars: “Lukaku and De Bruyne surprised me: they are world-class champions but very humble. They welcomed me immediately, and we have shared many jokes together. Lukaku has been here for a year already and helped me settle in. It's inspiring to train with them every day.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.