Antonio Conte has never been one to keep his emotions in check.
And it has not taken long for Scott McTominay to experience the famously hair-trigger volatility of his new Napoli boss, Conte hitting out at an ‘absurd’ transfer window dominated by an unseamly Victor Osimhen saga.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss feels his preparations for the new campaign have been hit hard by a window which only closed on the eve of the third game of the 2023/24 Serie A season.
As such, Conte found himself preparing for Saturday’s trip to Parma – a game Napoli won 2-1 – amid all the uncertainty surrounding Osimhen’s future, and with neither of his midfield signings Billy Gilmour or McTominay ready to feature.
The Manchester United academy graduate secured his £25 million move to Italy last week, posing for photos with Diego Maradona’s statue and photoshopped into Braveheart garb in a less-than-subtle nod towards his Scottish roots.
Conte, however, is frustrated with not only the timing of the transfer window but the lack of time he will have to work with McTominay due his involvement with Scotland ahead of the imminent Nations League fixtures.
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Scott McTominay leaves Manchester United for Napoli
“We had no changes in midfield,” Conte sighed after that Parma win, via Area Napoli. “It’s the absurdity of starting the season with the transfer market underway. We wait for players who arrive on the last day and then we need time (to integrate them).
“They have to be in good shape. They have to train. For McTominay and Gilmour, they will go to the national team and will return close to (the 15th September clash with) Cagliari.
“It becomes really difficult.”
McTominay was not registered in time to even make the squad over the weekend.
Conte – who has now officially lost star striker Osimhen to Galatasaray – will have to wait until after Scotland take on Poland and Portugal before he has the chance to work with McTominay and compatriot Gilmour.
As such, the Tartan Army team-mates are likely to begin their Scudetto careers a little undercooked and underprepared.
Erik ten Hag explains why Man United sold academy star
While not everybody’s cup of tea, McTominay remains an example for any young player looking to make the grade at Man United.
Living the dream at his boyhood club, the Carrington kid rose through the ranks over his two decades in red while making over 250 appearances and enjoying glorious victories at Wembley in both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.
Man United obviously felt that Napoli’s £25 million bid was too good to turn down, however.
McTominay’s contract was due to expire in 2025, after all, while those Profit and Sustainability Rules mean cashing in on academy graduates is very lucrative business these days.
“He was so important for our team. He was at Manchester United for over 22 years. But unfortunately, it’s the rules,” manager Erik ten Hag said last week, via Sky Info on YouTube.
“You have to discuss the rules to do sales, and obviously homegrown players, academy players, bring more value. It’s not the right thing to do but, for everyone, for all parties, it’s a good deal.
“For Scott, he is happy with it. Of course, for Napoli. (They are getting) a very good player. But also for us (it’s a good deal too).”
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