Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has been hit with his first real stumbling block at Napoli under Antonio Conte, according to reports in Italy.
Scott McTominay was a standout performer for manager Antonio Conte in the 2024-25 Serie A campaign and impressed in his debut season in Italy with Napoli.
The 28-year-old Scottish midfielder netted an impressive 13 times and registered six assists in 36 matches across all competitions for Napoli last season.
McTominay even made the Ballon d’Or shortlist in 2025 after his stunning exploits with Napoli, with Conte’s men edging out Inter Milan to the Serie A title.
The Napoli star had emerged from the United youth academy and had spent his entire career at Old Trafford before the Red Devils offloaded McTominay in 2024.
The Italian press explains what has happened to Scott McTominay in the 2025-26 season under Napoli manager Antonio Conte
Napoli strengthened their first-team squad in the summer ahead of their Serie A title defence by making the signing of ex-Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
Kevin de Bruyne, who was also linked with MLS outfit Chicago Fire, spent his final season at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola before his contract with City expired.
Different news outlets in Italy have now spotlighted the 34-year-old Belgian playmaker for the knock-on effect that he is having on Scott McTominay this season.
Sport Mediaset reported that De Bruyne has been ‘causing problems’ for McTominay position-wise and forced the former United midfielder ‘out wide on the left.’
Journalist Lorenzo Valletta suggested for the publication that the ex-City star has underwhelmed and has ‘forced’ Antonio Conte to ‘change the balance’ of his team.
The Italian press’ scrutiny of the Kevin de Bruyne and Scott McTominay situation at Napoli continues
Sport Mediaset was critical by adding that Kevin De Bruyne hasn’t ‘exactly brought out the best’ in the way that Napoli play under ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
McTominay was forced out into a left-sided position in the midfield in Napoli’s 3-2 Serie A win over Pisa at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Following on from the result against Pisa, McTominay was brought back into the midfield and De Bruyne was played out on the left in the 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.
Journalist Eleonora Trotta reported for Calciomercato the problems that De Bruyne’s arrival in Naples has caused for both Napoli and former United star McTominay.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Calciomercato account said that the Belgium international has ‘negatively affected’ the Serie A champions’ key ‘factor.’
Eleonora Trotta referred to McTominay as the aforementioned factor and added that ‘there’s an issue’ with De Bruyne because of the ‘impact’ he has had at Napoli.
De Bruyne appeared furious with Napoli manager Conte’s decision to withdraw him against AC Milan last month after he converted a second-half penalty in the defeat.
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