The plaudits for Scott McTominay keep coming in their droves after his fine start to life in Italy with Napoli.
The midfielder’s transition from the Premier League to Serie A has been seamless, and McTominay has quickly established himself as one of Naples boss Antonio Conte’s key lieutenants in their bid to claim a second Scudetto in three years. The Scot bossed the midfield in Tuesday night’s superb 2-0 away victory against Milan that has opened up a four point lead at the top of the table for Napoli, and has already found the net twice in his first eight matches.
And in his latest appraisal, the marauding midfielder has been compared to former Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian midfielder now turns out for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, but previously enjoyed eight successful seasons in Rome where he won three domestic cups and became one of the division’s most sought-after players.
And according to Italian journeyman Davide Di Gennaro – who briefly played alongside Milinkovic-Savic at Lazio in the 2017/18 season – McTominay reminds him of his former teammate. Speaking on 1 Station Radio, Di Gennaro – a Champions League winner with Milan in 2007 – said: “In terms of physical characteristics, yes, McTominay is similar to Milinkovic-Savic.
“In terms of physical impact in Serie A, unlike the Premier League, they always do very well. So it was an important purchase, it is no coincidence that he immediately became a favourite of Napoli fans.”
Elsewhere, former Gli Azzurri goalkeeper and 1982 World Cup winner Giovanni Galli has also been very impressed with McTominay and is astonished that Manchester United decided to let him go. “Of the new arrivals, the one who impressed me the most is McTominay”, he told Il Mattino.
“I don’t know how they let him go in Manchester. They’re playing football backwards over there. Well done Napoli for seizing the opportunity. (Alessandro) Buongiorno is also a very important signing.”