While Scott McTominay’s flying start to life at Napoli has most applauding his impact, one familiar concern continues to hang over the head of the former Manchester United matchwinner.
It was a dilemma Erik ten Hag – and the Manchester United faithful – found themselves grappling with throughout last season.
Without Scott McTominay’s heroics – his last-gasp brace against Brentford, those late strikes against Chelsea and Aston Villa – perhaps the increasingly under-fire Ten Hag would have been out of a job a long time ago.
But did McTominay’s goal threat offset the weaknesses elsewhere in his game? That became a source of much debate. A Man United team with McTominay in the XI tended to carry more potency in the final third, but less control in midfield.
Now, the challenge falls on Napoli boss Antonio Conte to balance the rough with the smooth.
Familiar issues arrive post-Manchester United for Scott McTominay
McTominay opened his Napoli account in the Coppa Italia last week, scoring with his first touch in the 5-0 thrashing of Palermo. The Carrington graduate arrived late in the box to sweep home – the Man United academy graduate justified those Frank Lampard comparisons – before helping to assist Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s decider during the 2-0 victory over Monza three days later.
McTominay was frequently the most advanced player in Napoli’s attack too, stationed often as a number nine with former United teammate Romelu Lukaku dropping a little deeper.
And while such an approach proved effective against Palermo and Monza, reporter Enrico Fedele wonders if – like at Manchester United last season – the Scot’s tendency to vacate the midfield and pop up in a centre-forward role will end up creating more problems than it solves.
“I want to understand what role he plays,” Fedele said as Conte’s side marched towards the Scudetto summit. “Saying that he is Napoli’s strongest player, for me, is wrong.
“[Against Monza], he played an insufficient match. He left Napoli with nine men [in possession] if we also consider Lukaku’s performance, who did less than expected.
“McTominay could have scored two goals, but he has to help out. He has a bad habit. The habit of coming towards the opponent who follows him, with his back to the goal.”
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McTominay single-handedly turned Man United’s fortunes around in that 2-1 Brentford win 12 months ago, scoring twice off the bench with just four touches of the ball.
But, when included from the start, such a lack of involvement in the general play can become an issue for a man who, lest we forget, is supposed to be a midfielder.
“In the first half, yesterday, he touched the ball 4 times,” the reporter adds claims, Fedele criticising Napoli’s £25 million signing for the second time in a few weeks. “I counted them.
“McTominay has to help in the defensive phase. If he does so, he can make himself useful and reveal himself as an extra weapon to score goals.
“He is not [Napoli legend Marek] Hamsik. he does not have that quality. Am I being too harsh on him? No, I’m being objective. McTominay needs to step back and avoid running beyond his teammates.”
“I didn’t understand what role the Scotsman played. He’s very good at getting into the box starting from deep but, against Monza, he played practically as a striker.
“He should start from further back to have an impact.”
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