Napoli, Beukema: "I'm excited, so many top players here, we'll do well" | OneFootball

“Welcome Sam!”. This is how Napoli's number one, Aurelio de Laurentiis, greeted Sam Beukema, the fourth new signing for the Campania team in this transfer campaign. Shortly thereafter, the official announcement came from the social media and the official Azzurri website, followed by Bologna, which bid farewell to the player just four days ago. “SSC Napoli announces that it has acquired the sporting services of player Sam Beukema on a permanent basis.” Today, the presentation to the press took place, directly from Val di Sole.

Napoli, Beukema: “I am excited, there are many champions here. We will do well”

From Dimaro, the first words as a Napoli player from the Dutch defender, who arrived on a permanent basis from Bologna for 30 million euros plus 3 in bonuses. Here is an excerpt from his press conference. Beukema debuted in an unofficial Napoli match, like De Bruyne, Lang, Lucca, and Marianucci, on the occasion of the surprising friendly loss against Bucchi's Arezzo.

The press conference begins with a message from the head of communications, Lombardo: “Before we start, I want to say that due to the tragedy that occurred in Naples, with three people who went out to work and will not return home, we will ask for mourning armbands and a minute of silence. We will also do this for, I believe, the nearly 400 workers who have died on the job in Italy.”

The Dutch central defender introduces himself: “Napoli had an incredible season, so I am already very happy to be here, with the Italian champions. I know we will have many matches and I hope to help the team, always be available, I have experience in the Champions League as well and I can add this to the team, but we have many strong elements and I think we can do very well. Being the second Dutch defender in Napoli is an honor. Krol was a great, and for me, it is an honor to follow in his footsteps.”

“I found a great group, it is an honor to be part of it. On vacation, I had already met Gilmour. Reaching the national team is a personal goal. I chose Napoli also for this reason, it is a great team that plays in the Champions League and fights for the championship. This year I hope to join the Dutch national team, it would be a dream.”

“I am used to the football of coach Italiano, man-to-man, all over the field. An intense football. But also with Conte, we started well, a very hard work, which will help us make a difference. I like to work hard, sometimes it has been very hard (laughs). Have I heard from Ndoye? Yes, because he is one of my best friends with Ferguson. I call him after training, he is doing very well.”

What impressed you the most about Napoli winning the Scudetto?

“It didn’t surprise me, in the second match we faced them in Bologna, we lost 3-0 and we knew their value, they were already strong, the Scudetto victory didn’t surprise me. That team showed their desire in every match, I was impressed by the discipline, every week made the difference.”

Is there a defender you model yourself after?

“Now, in my opinion, one of the best is Van Dijk, very strong, modern, an example, but there are many, even here in Napoli we have strong defenders and I can’t wait to start with them.”

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