Why Scott McTominay is already becoming a revered figure at Napoli

Napoli sealed a move for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay quite late in the summer transfer window.

He started for the club against Juventus and Antonio Conte, knowing that his best comes in the final third, used the Scotsman around the box against the Bianconeri. The ex-United man thrived, with the club’s formation having changed from a 3-4-2-1 to a 3-5-2 to accomodate him in the advanced areas of the pitch.

McTominay showed a keen willingness to always receive inside the box, operate around Romelu Lukaku and when called upon, carry the ball into the final third.

Even if he hasn’t scored and has played only two games, McTominay has become a rather popular figure in Naples. He is currenly residing in one of the most luxurious locations of the city and with the club having spent a major amount on him, there is also a fair amount of expectation from him. Money like that isn’t usually spent in Italy unless the player offers a high amount of assurance and McTominay seems to be offering that.

He arrives from a massive club where he scored multiple decisive goals and that seems to be one exciting hook at the Partenopei.

The club has loved maverick goalscorers for many years. From Edinson Cavani, Diego Maradona and Victor Osimhen to Lorenzo Insigne and Marek Hamsik, so many distinct goalscorers have become famed figures in the city and McTominay’s past and reputation makes him another one.

Hamsik has, in recent weeks, compared the Scotland international to himself and that has also hyped up expectations. Journalists have spoken about McTominay’s ability in great detail, with Gianluca Gifuni recently stating that McTominay has become an ‘idol’ already at Napoli.

Ivan Zazzaroni has also been of high praise for the midfielder, having spoken of his performance against Juve. Conte himself has been vocal about the player’s abilities in the box, recently suggesting that McTominay’s skillset is one reason why he switched his system at the weekend.

The Italian was a key reason for the move to Napoli and the 27-year-old had other options on the table too. But it was Conte’s insistence and authority which brought about the move and it is clear already that he knows exactly how to use him.

Even if Napoli do use a 3-4-2-1, McTominay can still play alongside Matteo Politano, Jack Raspadori or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as he did on his debut two weeks ago. At United, he was often shoehorned in midfield due to lack of options but that isn’t the case at Napoli, who have three reliable deeper midfielders to make sure that the Scotsman plays to his strengths.

He has a manager who knows exactly what he is about and is using him to that strength. Things will only get better.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN