SCOTT McTOMINAY is proving Manchester United wrong – and Paolo Di Canio right – after becoming Napoli’s “Jolly Blue Giant”.
Soon after Old Trafford chiefs sold the 6ft 3in midfielder to the Serie A club for £25million, Premier League legend Di Canio announced, with typical understatement: “I would go to Manchester United to arrest all the directors – how do you give McTominay away?”
How much do Napoli’s fans agree? McTotally.
That is the nickname that the club’s ultras have given to McTominay because of his all-action, totally committed, hard-running style.
And the former Old Trafford trainee has become so crucial to Napoli’s title charge under Antonio Conte that many regard him as a successor to Diego Maradona as the leader of the team.
Leading Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport recenty hailed McTominay as “the warrior soul of Napoli”.
The wildcard in Conte’s pack
The midfielder was given the “Jolly” tag by local press soon after his arrival last summer.
Playing cards imported to Italy from the UK contain a “Jolly Joker” and the Scotland international is regarded as the wild card in Conte’s pack, a versatile player who can be the difference between having a good hand and winning.
But “jolly” also reflects how happy McTominay is in his new surroundings.
He and girlfriend Cam Reading have been pictured out and about enjoying life on the Amalfi Coast.
McTominay said: “It’s not easy going abroad and having to settle in, but it’s been quite seamless, to be fair, in terms of how much the Italian people have helped me settling into my house and whatever.
“Things I need like a car or a taxi or anything like that. I’m very grateful to them.
“They’re real great people who I’m very thankful for as well.”
Last summer United cashed in on academy product McTominay – against the wishes of then boss Erik ten Hag and many supporters – to help them meet Premier League financial rules.
But it now looks like a false economy.
While United spent around £50m on replacement midfielder Manuel Ugarte but still languish in the lower half of the Premier League, a McTominay-inspired Napoli are top of Serie A.
The Scot’s six goals and four assists in 21 appearances tell only part of the story.
McTominay’s physical presence at both ends of the pitch and his ability to fulfil a variety of roles has allowed Conte to ditch his usual preference for three at the back.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Conte said: “Scott is a complete player, versatile.
“He can be a trequartista (effectively No10) behind the striker, he can be a mezzala (a central midfielder-cum-winger) in a three-man midfield, play in a two-man midfield or even wide in a 5-4-1 with licence to attack.”
When I first walked into the Maradona Stadium it was surreal, knowing he is a legend of football
McTominay
McTominay made a big impression in his very first start for Napoli, at Juventus back in September.
Conte’s side ground out a 0-0 draw and Italian broadcaster Riccardo Trevisan claimed that McTominay had made Juve stars look like “children”.
Trevisani added: “Seeing McTominay live is incredible, impressive. He looked like Gulliver with children, they bounced off him.”
Months later, McTominay remains one of Napoli’s main men.
Last month he scored in the 3-2 win over top-of-the-table rivals Atalanta. Days later, the Scot won the penalty from which fellow Premier League outcast Romelu Lukaku scored to complete a second-half comeback and seal a 2-1 win.
If McTominay can inspire Napoli to their second Serie A crown in three seasons, he will join Maradona in the list of club legends.
The club’s stadium is named after the Argentina star who led them to their first ever Italian titles in 1987 and 1990.
McTominay said: “When I first walked into the stadium it was a surreal feeling – knowing he is an icon, an absolute legend of football.
“The people absolutely adore him, which is a huge factor, because of how well he played for them and the things he did in Naples.
“So for us, he is definitely in our head and hearts.”
Napoli fans have certainly taken McTominay to their hearts.
They even expressed their concern and sympathy when it emerged he was moving to the suburb of Lago Patria.
Although the area is popular with ex-pats and close to Napoli’s training ground, it has also gained a reputation as a crime hotspot, with burglaries and car theft.
The Italian Navy has stopped showing staff the neighbourhood as a potential place to live.
When news of McTominay’s choice of home came out, one fan commented: “I recommend that you close the door tightly in the evening.”
But it is that £25m that Napoli paid for McTominay which is starting to look like daylight robbery.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
