Napoli can’t imagine life without Scott McTominay – and he’s a lot more than just the goals he scores.
That’s the view of one pundit in Italy, and the numbers certainly back it up. The Scotland hero is flying in Serie A and signed off for the international break with a goal against Inter in a 1-1 draw at San Siro. It was the latest eye-catching performance from the former Manchester United man who already looks like one of the signings of the season.
The Italian media have been raving about him to anyone who will listen, most recently Gianfranco Zola who was left drooling at his stunning start, and he’s already been dubbed ‘McTotally’ by Napoli fans for his rounded, all-action game. And yet there have still been one or two dissenting voices about him on social media, feeling his eye for goal masks other weaknesses in his game.
Former Napoli midfielder Roberto Bordin isn’t one of them though. He reckons it’s ‘impossible’ for his former team to go a game without him, and reckons it’s been an ‘extraordinary’ signing. The 59-year-old told Radio Marte in Italy: “It’s impossible for Napoli to do without a player with these skill sets. He combines quantity and quality and is tough in tackles without being nasty. He helps in the build-up, he runs and scores goals. It was an extraordinary signing for Napoli.”
The numbers behind his performance against Inter certainly back that up. It may have been one of his quieter games, goal aside, but Football Italia‘s statistical breakdown speaks volumes. He won possession six times, won eight of his 16 ground and aerial duels, had more touches in the opposition box than anyone else, while also boasting a 100 per cent pass completion rate within the final third. A bit of everything on their way to a point that kept them top of the table.