Can Noa Lang Fill the Gap Left by Kvaratskhelia at Napoli? | OneFootball

Noa Lang has officially joined Napoli, marking a bold new chapter in the Dutch winger’s career as he takes his talents to Serie A. The 26-year-old arrives in Naples with high expectations, bringing a mix of flair, fearlessness, and attacking creativity that has defined his journey so far.

Lang first burst onto the scene with a historic hat-trick on his Eredivisie debut for Ajax in 2019, something the club hasn’t seen in six decades. His rise continued with a standout spell at Club Brugge, where he became a fan favorite, and later at PSV, where he helped secure back-to-back Eredivisie titles and gained valuable Champions League experience. Now, Napoli fans will be eager to see whether Lang can bring that same spark to the Italian top flight.

Napoli have paid €25 million plus €3 million in add ons for the 26-year-old. Lang is set to bring a dose of Dutch footballing flair to Serie A. But how exactly does his profile fit into Napoli’s system-and what could this bold signing mean for the future of the Partenopei?

When Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – nicknamed “Kvaradona” by Napoli fans after the legendary Diego Maradona – left for Paris Saint-Germain, he left behind a gaping hole on Napoli’s left wing. The Georgian winger had been crucial to Napoli’s recent attacking identity, and his departure created an urgent need for a dynamic replacement.

Napoli’s current options include David Neres, Matteo Politano, and Nicola Zerbin. However, most of them are naturally right wingers and would be playing out of position on the left. These players have also been criticized for inconsistency and a lack of creativity.

To compensate, Antonio Conte has often relied on attacking wing-backs like Leonardo Spinazzola to push higher up and support the attack. But wing-backs, by nature, are not true wingers – and Napoli have been missing that creative, unpredictable spark Kvaratskhelia brought to the side.

This is where Noa Lang steps in.

Lang fits the mold of a modern, expressive winger. He thrives in tight spaces, brings flair and improvisation to one-on-one situations, and isn’t afraid to take risks – something Napoli has missed since Kvara’s exit.

Under Conte, the winger’s role is demanding. The Italian coach prefers a 4-3-3 system that requires his wide players not only to create chances but also to press aggressively the moment possession is lost. It’s a very intense style that demands both technical ability and relentless work ethic.

Fortunately, Lang appears to be up to the challenge. Influenced by the likes of Edgar Davids – the fierce, iconic Dutch midfielder known as “The Pitbull” – Lang has long been admired for his toughness and dedication. His father once recalled, “If I asked him if he wanted to come to the cinema, he would usually say: ‘I can’t, dad, I need to train!”

Lang’s mentality could be the key to his success under Conte. Whether starting or coming off the bench as a super sub, Lang has the tools to bring back the spark Napoli lost – and perhaps write his own story in Naples, just as Kvaratskhelia did.

Lang can occupy the left-wing spot vacated by Kvara; he offers creativity and unpredictability in the attack – traits his predecessor was known for. He fits naturally into an inverted winger setup, where he can cut inside and make runs behind the defensive line. In this role, Lang can invert from the left if the right side is covered, enabling overloads that put pressure on the opposition and create dangerous scoring opportunities.

If Conte opts for a system like the 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 – formations that sometimes allow for more fluid roles – Lang could be given more freedom. While Conte is known for his structured, role-based tactics, certain game scenarios, such as Napoli trying to hold possession or break down a tough defense, could see Lang drifting into a false 9 role.

This movement would serve two purposes: A: Help Napoli keep possession in tight areas. B: Disrupt and stretch compact defensive lines by creating central overloads.

Lang has the qualities to thrive in that role. His close control, high football IQ, sharp decision-making under pressure, and ability to pass the ball effectively make him a viable option to play centrally in specific tactical situations.

In a variation where Giovanni Simeone is used as the central striker with Lang playing behind him, Lang could drift left to drag defenders out of shape. Meanwhile, Spinazzola could advance from wing-back to offer width and a passing option, adding another dimension to Napoli’s attacking play.

Lang would thrive in the half-spaces, using his creativity to either play incisive passes forward or take on defenders himself. This highlights Noa’s versatility – Conte may not always use him strictly as a wide player. Depending on the match, Lang could be utilized in multiple roles across the pitch to exploit opposition weaknesses.

A Perfect Fit or Too Much Flair?

Noa Lang’s arrival at Napoli brings a lot of talent and attacking creativity to the table, but also raises questions of tactical fit and temperament – especially under a strong personality like Conte’s.

Lang’s attributes align with his predecessor’s: he is great in 1v1 situations, excels in tight spaces, and offers significant positional flexibility. However, Conte’s system relies heavily on players tracking back – an area where Lang’s history isn’t particularly strong – as well as covering zones, maintaining defensive discipline, and pressing as a team.

If he is able to adapt to Conte’s off-the-ball expectations, he will undoubtedly become a key player in transition. If not, he will likely be benched in favor of players like David Neres or Matteo Politano, who provide more defensive support.

Noa has an explosive personality and is never afraid to show his confidence, which at times is viewed as arrogance. That swagger helps him fuel his creativity, however it also has led to disciplinary issues and reported friction with previous coaches, especially at Club Brugge.

Form is one of the most important aspects of a player’s game. While Noa hasn’t had any major injuries, he has had some minor ones over the past two years, for example, soft tissue knocks which disrupted his momentum at PSV. He isn’t injury prone but his form tends to fluctuate. Consistency will be key to winning Conte and the Napoli ultras over.

Lang is a high-ceiling, high-variance player. If Napoli can channel his creativity within their system, he could become one of Serie A’s most exciting  and promising attackers. But if he clashes with the tactical structure or shows inconsistency, his time at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona could be short-lived.