‘Different level’ – Scott McTominay’s role at Napoli won’t be changed by Kevin De Bruyne despite Diego Maradona gesture
Scott McTominay remains the darling of Naples – regardless of Kevin De Bruyne or any other superstar Antonio Conte might sign.
That’s the view from European football expert Andy Brassell, who has borne witness to the reception of Britain’s most-loved export in Italy.
McTominay made a flying start to his second season abroad on Saturday, scoring Napoli’s opener in their 2-0 win over Sassuolo to continue his fairy tale first 12 months since leaving Manchester United.
The midfielder inspired Napoli to their fourth league triumph in May, while deservedly claiming the Serie A MVP Award for his efforts.
His status reaches far beyond the pitch, with his signed match-worn shirt from the game that clinched the title, a 2-0 victory against Cagliari that he duly scored in, selling for £20,280 at auction.
McTominay further endeared himself to the Napoli faithful in the celebrations that followed, dying his hair blue and smoking a cigar.
The Scotland international has been adorned with the nickname ‘McFratm’, amalgamating his name and Neapolitan slang for brother.
A shrine depicting McTominay’s face alongside said name has since been erected at a church in the city centre.
“He was someone who Antonio Conte really, really wanted before season one,” Brassell exclusively told talkSPORT.com. “And he became very popular very quickly because of the way he embraced the life from the minute he got off the plane, embraced not just the club but the sense of it being all-consuming, which is really important in Naples and to Napoli.
“The fact that he ended up scoring a big goal in the game that won him the title put him on a different level.
“The fact that he was, shall we say, heavily implicated in the celebrations as well, has only really topped off that status.
“He’s the most popular player there.”
Most popular player
“If you go to Naples even halfway through last season, if you go to a Napoli game, you look at the shirts that were on sale, the most popular ones are McTominay ones,” Brassell continued.
“More than [Romelu] Lukaku, more than [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia when he was still there in the first half of last season, more than anyone.
“People absolutely loved him. So he’s a talisman for the team. And I don’t think Kevin De Bruyne going there will change that because I don’t see how it’s possible to embrace the club and the spirit of it as much as McTominay does.
“And if you look at the great players of the past who really clicked with Napoli, it’s not just record breakers, but the reason that, say, Dries Mertens, for example, is so popular there, it’s not just because he’s the club’s record goal scorer.
“Because I don’t think anyone in their right mind sees him on the same level as Maradona. It’s the fact that he said, ‘This is my home’ rather than this is somewhere that I have to be to play football.
McTominay heading in the same direction as Napoli icons
“It reminds me a little bit of this question that Fernando Torres was asked when he joined Liverpool, where someone said to him in Spain, ‘Wouldn’t you rather be living in London or someone more glamorous?’ He’s like, well, I’ve come here to play football, not be a tourist.
“And I think the way that Torres, and obviously, people don’t really think of him because of the fact that he left for Chelsea and the way that he left for Chelsea, but he really clicked with Liverpool. He really clicked with the Kop.
“I think to be acknowledged in that way means more than being good on the football pitch. And that’s why Mertens is loved.
“He called his son Ciro [Mertens’ nickname at Napoli].
“He’s the most Neapolitan guy it’s possible to be without actually being Neapolitan. And McTominay is heading in the same direction.”
De Bruyne trained in Maradona’s No. 10
De Bruyne’s arrival at Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City underlined the club’s favourite tag to defend the Scudetto.
The Belgian, who also scored against Sassuolo, was given the superstar treatment upon his arrival, having been allowed to train wearing Diego Maradona’s iconic No. 10.
Napoli retired the Argentine’s shirt following his legendary spell at the club from 1984 to 1991, while their stadium is also named after him.
Despite the welcoming gesture, McTominay’s status among fans means there won’t be any competition for affection from the two former Manchester rivals.
Brassell added: “He’s a different personality, De Bruyne. I wouldn’t say he’s uncomfortable with the spotlight, but he certainly doesn’t court it.
‘De Bruyne is not the same sort of personality as McTominay’
“I think De Bruyne is kind of a unique footballing personality, really, in that when he’s got a mood, he doesn’t hide it.
“So I think for him to be always on and always up, he’s just not like that. He’s not the same sort of personality as McTominay.
“Whereas McTominay is that hyperactive, you know, up at six in the morning. Come on, what are we doing today, kind of guy?
“And Napoli and his fans really, really respond to that.
“So, yeah, there’s no chance that he will be removed from his position or even have to share his position as a darling of fans, no matter the quality of whoever comes in, because it is partly about his quality, but it’s not just about his quality as well.
“Obviously, to have that level of adoration, like with Mertens, you have to be a great footballer as well, and you have to contribute to the team and show up in big moments – But it’s not just about that!”
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