Napoli legend Mariano Bogliacino has dished out a new nickname to Scott McTominay after he led his side back to the top of Serie A.
The midfielder has taken the Italian top flight by storm after he made a £26million summer switch from Manchester United – and put in another top performance after he hit the third in a 3-0 win over Fiorentina after David Neres’ opener and Romelu Lukaku’s penalty in Florence. It’s McTominay’s fourth goal in 15 appearances for the Italian giants as they took a step ahead of Atalanta and Inter in the races for the Scudetto.
And Bogliacino has compared the Scotland international to Napoli hero Marek Hamsik – who was nicknamed ‘Marekiaro’ during his time in Naples, which translates as “clear sea”. And in a glowing report card for in-form McTominay, he has now crowned him with the Slovak’s moniker. He told Europa Calcio: “Napoli’s transfer process led to this negotiation with Manchester United for a midfielder like Scott McTominay. I was already following him when he played for the Red Devils, but he is demonstrating all his quality in Naples too.
“Personally, he reminds me of Marekiaro – he is a king in this team for his ability to get into the box and get to the conclusion. He is Marekiaro now. He always arrives in the area, with great presence and physicality. McTominay is crucial for the team.”
And after his impressive campaign, Italian pundit Daniele Abbondanza has warned Antonio Conte he may have to prepare for life without the midfielder just six months after arriving at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Discussing Chelsea kid Cesare Casadei, he told Radio Goal: “In terms of characteristics he is a player very similar to McTominay, he could be the ideal replacement.
“You could see clubs scouting McTominay right now. I believe that experience in the Premier League is an advantage for Conte, given how they work in England and given that the Italian coach knows that championship well. Cesare could benefit from Conte both in terms of personality like McTominay.”
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