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Kevin De Bruyne - the crown jewel to fuel Napoli's Serie A title defence
The Serie A season kicks off this weekend, and once again, it's set to be too close to call in the race for the title in 2025-26.
The Italian top flight has become the tightest of all Europe's elite leagues, with no team having been able to retain the trophy in the last five seasons.
Looking at this year's contenders, there are cases to be made for the new eras at both Milan clubs, while Juventus will aim to build on Igor Tudor's success last season. However, the favourites remain reigning champions Napoli.
Antonio Conte's side will look to buck that trend and retain their Serie A crown, giving them a third title win in four seasons, and a huge reason they are frontrunners to do so is the arrival of one Kevin De Bruyne.
Of all the league's summer transfer activity, the biggest buzz is around the arrival of the Belgian, who has moved to Naples on a free transfer following the end of his trophy-laden decade at Manchester City.
Over his ten years at The Etihad, De Bruyne won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League as part of 2023's treble triumph, as well as racking up 119 assists - only Ryan Giggs can better that in the league's history.
Now he's set to sprinkle his magic on Serie A after turning down numerous offers from all over the world to join the current champions, admitting that it felt like the right move for him at this stage in his career.
"I make a decision based on how I feel, you know, what I want to do," De Bruyne told DAZN.
"Maybe when I was younger, I never expected to go to Italy, you know, because I loved playing in England and I was very happy there.
"But then, you know, I came into a situation where I had options from different parts of the world. But I speak with my wife, with my kids, you know, family and also the feeling that I had. And I thought for me this was the best option to get everything together.
"So I made this based on a feeling. It's sometimes difficult to explain because a lot of teams have very nice projects and different things.
"But, you know, I felt this was the right option for me. So I'm happy with my choice."
He's not the only one who's pleased about his arrival in Naples, the Napoli fans are also over the moon to see arguably one of the best passers in the game in the famous sky blue shirt this season.
There have been some who have questioned if De Bruyne can still have the same impact at 34, but try telling that to the supporters who were cheering his every movement during pre-season - even in the warm-up!
"Yeah, it's a bit weird," he admits.
"But it's also nice, you know, because they're excited to see me play. But on the other side, I still have to start. I'm only here a couple of weeks, and I'm working hard to get to know the team and to start to play together and know how they're structured.
"I've not done anything, you know, so hopefully we can continue. I can play good and give the team and the club and the supporters some good years."
Those fans are particularly looking forward to seeing the new signing link up with his international teammate, Romelu Lukaku. The pair have built a fruitful partnership during their time together playing for their country, and if it can be replicated in Serie A, then it spells trouble for the rest of the league.
Unfortunately, that partnership may have to wait because of Lukaku's pre-season injury; however, in what could prove to be another key combination, De Bruyne is looking forward to exploring with his new manager.
Having worked under Pep Guardiola during his entire time in Manchester, the midfielder is getting used to some new methods and ideas from Antonio Conte.
"I think he's very, he's very direct, you know, and he asks a lot of the players," De Bruyne said of his new manager.
"It's a very different way of training, also that I'm used to, another philosophy. But, you know, I'm doing well.
"I've done all my training sessions. I'm feeling good. It's a bit heavy, I think, but it's heavy for everybody.
"So it's normal in pre-season. I think he's trying to implement his ways in the team. And for me, I'm just looking at how the team works and how he works and what his tactics are.
"And I know I've got time to learn everything. But you know, I think at my age, you understand, you can take it slowly and it will come, you know, you don't have to know everything in the first few days. And I think I'm mixing good with the team."
That mix begins on Saturday when Napoli begin their defence away at newly promoted Sassuolo - a game you can see live on DAZN - and it's one that the fans hope will kickstart a title-winning campaign.Getty Images
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