“I’m really happy in Naples.”
Scott McTominay was speaking to Sky Italia back in October as rumours surrounding his Napoli future continue to swirl. The Scot has been a sensation since he moved to Naples in 2024. Indeed, he was named Serie A MVP having been the driving force in the Partenopei’s Scudetto success in his debut season.
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And he’s again showing he isn’t a one-season wonder. Manchester United were too hasty to cash in on McSauce. Having scored 12 goals in his debut season, McTominay has netted six times already as Napoli look to defend their Serie A crown.
The Flying Scotsman
That may be a bridge too far for Antonio Conte’s men. Napoli are 11 points behind Inter with 13 games to go and it would take a major Nerazzurri slip for Conte’s side to close that gap. Even so, McTominay has shown no signs of slowing. Rather, the Flying Scotsman is chugging along nicely.
It’s been imperative McTominay maintain consistency to ensure Napoli remain in the title race. Yes, Napoli’s chances of domestic success are slim, at best. However, he’s shouldered the midfield burden almost single-handedly across the course of the campaign.
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Injuries effectively derailed Napoli’s title push. Frank Anguissa, another unsung hero in last season’s success, and Kevin De Bruyne are currently sidelined. Billy Gilmour only recently returned to action in the 2-2 draw with Roma, a game McTominay incidentally missed due to injury. Conte’s midfield is down the bare bones.
Doing a job where needed
Yet McTominay, up until his spell on the sidelines, was the glue holding the midfield together. Crucially, too, is that he didn’t let his form dip despite being forced into different roles to accommodate others. For the opening weeks of the campaign, McTominay was pushed to the left flank after De Bruyne arrived.
Conte’s decision to use De Bruyne through the middle was not without reason. Despite his advancing years, the 34-year-old remains one of the games best creators, evident in that he is creating more chances per 90 (2.4) than any other Napoli player this season. Yet McTominay took the tactical switch in his stride. Granted, the performance levels dipped. However, the 29-year-old worked for the collective rather than individual gains.
And when De Bruyne did pull up with a thigh injury in Napoli’s 3-1 win over Inter, a game in which McTominay scored having been moved back infield, the former United man took the change all in his stride. After all, his best showings have come through the middle. A two-goal salvo at the Nerazzuri a case in point.
Conte maximised McSauce
So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Premier League sides are eyeing a blockbuster summer move for McTominay. Conte has proven how effective a midfielder the Scotland international is when used properly – as a box-crashing number 8 / 10 hybrid capable of making destructive runs into the penalty area. He was mis-profiled and then some during his United days.
“Scott has goals in his blood. He’s very good at moving forward, has good technique as well as height and physicality. He has, in his DNA, a good number of goals,” Conte said in September 2024. 18 goals in one-and-a-half years later, the Italian wasn’t wrong.
Given the success of this profile of midfielder in the Premier League – Bruno Guimaraes, Enzo Fernandez and Tijjani Reijnders all cases in point – it’s no shock that top-tier sides are willing to spend big to bring McTominay back to England.
Nor is it a surprise that Napoli are keen to ward off interest in their prized asset. McTominay has managed the fifth most shots (140) since moving to Serie A. It’s more than any other central midfielder. Conte unlocked the beast within. The attacking freedom has seen McTominay take his game to the next level.
Work rate key
And having won possession in the attacking third the seventh most times (32) over the same period, McTominay’s work rate provided another dimension to this Napoli attack. He may not be operating in a defensive role. Yet the defensive side to his game is integral as the defending champions seek to force opposition turnovers in a dangerous area.
He’s set to return for Sunday’s game against Atalanta, a game Napoli must win in order to keep their Scudetto hopes alive. Even if Napoli fail to win the league, McTominay has again shown why Premier League teams are keen on bringing the midfielder back to England.
Prising him away from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium will be easier said than done, however. McTominay is a local hero and playing the best football of his career. A contract renewal, and the chance to continue playing under a manager who appreciates his strengths, is more likely at this stage. It’s certainly more than he deserves.
