Just one start into his Napoli career, former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is already earning some pretty lofty praise.
He might have had his critics at Old Trafford – despite some hugely important goals last season to almost single-handedly keep Erik ten Hag safe from the axe at times – but the Scotland international is already verging on fans’ favourite territory over in Italy.
Scott McTominay was included in Antonio Conte’s XI for the first time during Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Juventus on Saturday and impressing. He delivered a performance which went some way to explaining why the 2023 Serie A champions were so determined to sign him in the first place.
A £25 million signing in addition-August – Napoli director Giovanni Manna delighted to land McTominay having initially suspected that the deal would be beyond his side – the Carrington graduate delivered a display of trademark tenacity and athleticism as Conte’s side moved to within one point of the Serie A summit.
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Scott McTominay impressing at Napoli after Manchester United exit
There was to be no late winner from a man who picked up a habit last season of coming to Manchester United’s rescue in the dying stages.
But, with Scott McTominay showcasing his combination of physical power and often underrated technical qualities at the Allianz Stadium, comparisons are already being made with two of the finest midfielders of the last half-century.
“Luckily, he arrived,” reporter Manuel Parlato says, likening McTominay’s box-crashing talents to Chelsea icon Frank Lampard while also arguing that he possesses a Frank Rijkaard-esque smoothness in possession.
“Against Juventus, he showed why Napoli wanted him. He is very technical. He reminds me of a mix between Frank Lampard and Frank Rijkaard.
“The Scotsman is a complete midfielder. He can play in many roles due to his characteristics. Head held high, elegance, he can really do well.”
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McTominay has been tipped to emulate Napoli legend Marek Hamsik by the man himself.
Partenopei winger Matteo Politano also labelled McTominay an ‘exceptional’ addition, the Man United academy graduate joining alongside fellow Scotland international Billy Gilmour and creating a new-look midfield structure in Naples.
After the heavily-mismanaged saga that was Victor Osimhen’s loan move to Galatasaray, things are looking up again for a Napoli side who began the season with a 3-0 humbling at Hellas Verona.
They are now up to second place.
Two ahead of a Juventus crying out for a Joshua Zirkzee-style centre-forward with legendary manager Fabio Capello the latest to question why the Bianconeri did not make more of an effort to reunite Man United’s £35 million summer signing with his former Bologna boss Thiago Motta.
“First of all, I have to say that McTominay strongly wanted to come to Napoli. That was really satisfying,” Manna explains. “If a player who plays in the Premier League for Manchester United chooses to come to Naples, we should all be proud.
“Initially, I didn’t think we could get to the point of closing (the deal) despite the contact that had been made with the agent at the start of the transfer window.
“Along the way, we continued to maintain these relationships until the moment we sat down with Manchester United and realised that the operation could be done.”
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