Scott McTominay scored 13 goals last season and added six assists. In his first season after his Manchester United career the midfielder was hugely important as Napoli won Serie A.
Crowned the best player in the league, similar was expected this season. Excitement grew around Napoli when it became clear Kevin De Bruyne would be joining as a free agent. Manchester City had decided not to extend and the Belgian wanted to stay in top level European football.
Napoli have won four of their five Serie A matches so far, which is a good start. However, they lost 2-1 to leaders AC Milan at the weekend and there’s panic in Naples.
Part of the worry relates to the Manchester United and Manchester City favourites. There’s a belief De Bruyne, and how manager Antonio Conte is using him, has taken away from McTominay’s impact.
De Bruyne threw a tantrum when taken off against AC Milan and Conte has made it very clear he’s not impressed. That’s one of the big stories following the defeat, the other is the McTominay issue.
Napoli fans won’t like Scott McTominay being pushed aside
SportMediaSet, one of Italy’s biggest broadcasters, go with a headline stating: ‘KDB is causing problems for McTominay’
They go on to say: ‘Despite the three goals scored (one from a free kick and two from penalties), KDB hasn’t exactly brought out the best in the team’s play. In fact, has forced Antonio Conte to change the balance. For example, by moving McTominay wide on the left into a position on the pitch that limits his effectiveness in front of goal.’
Calciomercato journalist Eleonora Trotta agrees: “After the praise for De Bruyne for the Champions League match in Manchester, everything changed. There’s an issue. Both due to the substitution and the controversy, and because of his impact. His arrival negatively affected last year’s championship factor, Scott McTominay.”
Alessio Lento added: “McTominay is Napoli’s biggest problem at the start of this season and not through his fault, but because of where he’s being positioned.”
Scott McTominay has essentially become a son of Naples since his arrival from Manchester United. Whilst Kevin De Bruyne may be a Manchester City legend, and as such, he won’t easily displace Scottie in the hearts of locals.
Conte now needs to find a solution, and it may well be that De Bruyne’s position is altered to make space for McTominay prominence.
