Despite signing for the club all the way back on August’s deadline day, Scott McTominay only made his first Napoli start over the weekend.
Indeed, the Manchester United academy graduate was awarded his debut with a 16-minute cameo off-the-bench in last week’s 4-0 win over Caligari before being included in Antonio Conte’s starting 11 for the first time away to Juventus on Saturday.
Playing in a more advanced role in the final third, McTominay enjoyed an impressive 90 minutes in what turned out to be a goalless draw at the Allianz, keeping busy with both attacking and defensive exploits to keep the hosts quiet.
He could often be seen making his way into the box in the hopes of getting onto a cross or loose ball, as he had grown so accustomed to doing at Old Trafford in recent years. He also recorded an impressive five ball recoveries and one shot on target.
McTominay earns high praise after first Napoli start
Conte will presumably be deploying the Scotsman from the off for the foreseeable fixtures now that he’s been eased into the action – especially given how the media reacted to McTominay’s ‘standout’ performance.
CalcioNapoli24 journalist Paolo Condo penned: “Antonio Conte has put another week of work into Napoli, feeling so sure of the change of formation [that he felt] necessary to insert McTominay, who for reputation and impact could turn out to be the signing of the year.”
